My dad and I had a political discussion on the phone a couple of days ago. It’s interesting that he and I agree on a lot of issues, but I’m afraid he still holds with his old Republican Party ideals. In other words, he’s emotionally invested in the partisan system of politics and due to this, I believe he can’t see the forest for the trees. For some reason, he is convinced that Sarah Palin is going to be the next Ronald Regan. Okay I’m being facetious–I know why, and it has to do with how partisan he is. He is hoping for a savior, a leader who will unite everyone. I argued that we already have a leader, and his name is Barrack Obama, and that is the best Washington will have to offer.

Anyway, I decided to look up Sarah Palin on the web and find out where she stood on the “issues.” It was pretty much what I feared–loads of neo-conservative talking points and a complete lack of understanding of what makes a free society and the proper role of government (as small as possible, if not non-existent). I think Ms. Palin is a great example of what is wrong with our political system.

Anyway, here goes:

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Although she has some good points, for example she supports free market capitalism (at least in words, not sure about deeds), she’s still talking like a so-called social conservative.

I don’t like her thinking that the state has the right to interfere in marriages. If two homosexuals want to shack up and call it marriage, so be it. Get the state out of marriage completely.

“Wall Street violated public trust & caused mortgage crisis.” No. Wrong. The Federal Reserve caused this problem, and she is apologizing for them if she does not call them to the mat.

Although I agree with this sentiment: “No special hate-crime laws; all heinous crime is hate-based,” I do not favor the death penalty. The State should never have the power of life and death. This is because the State can be wrong and incarcerate innocent people. You can’t take back a death sentence.

Her stance on marijuana sucks; she does not favor legalization. This single issue for me underscores the tyranny of the state. She is not going to change this, she is a big government statist. “Top priorities include gangs & drugs; they harm family life,”–I disagree. It’s prohibition that causes these problems. It’s prohibition that harms family life.

“I do support capping carbon emissions.” Damn can she go any lower?! She thinks the government has the right to interfere in the marketplace!

She thinks McCain was a maverick who can reform Washington. No McCain was a great example of everything that is wrong with Washington–he even ran afoul of his own campaign legislation, McCain/Feingold (it also has to tell you something with that lousy reach-across-the-aisle)! Though she’s vetoed spending (and that’s good), it’s not enough.

I’m pleased she supports Second Amendment rights, but what about individual rights like the right to property? Obviously she does not because she is willing to take our money to fight foreign wars that most people don’t support.

Since she was standing behind McCain, my guess is she is a war monger, or at least a war-state apologist. She may agree “with Reagan that U.S. is ‘beacon of light’ for world,” but if she thinks we are the world’s police force, that’s where I draw the line. Obviously she does because she supports politically-motivated economic sanctions against North Korea. And look at this: “Terrorists in Iraq are the biggest threat to Americans today,” “Pakistani people & leaders want to get rid of terrorists” and this gem:  “Fight terrorism to spread democratic ideals in world.” Oh and let’s not ignore “Focus on fighting Al-Qaeda terrorists, not on reading rights.” She is a neo-con, Dad, and she does not support the principles of freedom.

Sounds like she opposes immigration too. I disagree with the government’s anti-immigration policy. This protectionism is only hurting us, not helping. The only thing I think we should stop is the social services to anyone because then, then have less incentive to come here and get on the dole.

“Declare a National Day of Prayer in Alaska.” Wow, that is awful. State and religion should be separated. Even Ron Paul never called for that, and he’s very Christian.

I’m pleased she favors cutting taxes, but what she should be focused on is cutting spending and I never hear that coming out of the neo-cons’ mouths. Maybe they might talk about the $10 million here and the $10 million there that they cut, but they never address the real issue of how costly these foreign wars are. Or the real dollar suck of the welfare state

Now, if she is truly for eliminating the income tax, “No income tax; no taking the people’s dividends,” I think that is great. But I really doubt she would go after it if she ever got into the White House.

Overall, Dad, I’m afraid she gets a failing grade. I don’t know why you think she is going to change everything. Your faith in her is misplaced because you believe in the system. Even if she said all the right things (like Ron Paul mostly did), sending her to Washington wouldn’t do any good. The only way I see to fix this is for the people to go on strike, so to speak and withhold all taxes. You guys aren’t our leaders anymore.

Sorry to burst your bubble, and of course, you don’t have to listen to me because this is my take on things, but I will never back Palin, especially after reading this page. I’ll give you one thing, though…she’s damn hot!

Tags: Politics // 7 Comments »