perfidy

Issue

Left

Right

Nutjob

Foreign Policy

The military we have is wasteful and not as necesary as it once was. With diplomacy and economic assistance we can get further internationally. Redirect resources from the military into education and social programs here, and economic assistance overseas. It is sometimes appropriate to use military force to intervene in human rights situations.

America's military should be used for defense. In the face of an immediate threat or an attack, hit and hit hard. The military isn't big enough -- it needs to be expanded so that it can effortlessly perform this task. Encourage military service. The military is intended to defend America and its interests, not protect the rights of others around the world.

We can and should use America's military to force political change in other countries and areas of the world. Campaign against "Nation Building", then proceed on the largest, riskiest, and essentially reward-free plan of nation-building ever attempted. Execute plans to make wholesale change in the social and cultural fabric of the middle east; use plans designed by people with no military experience. Ignore professional opinions on the matter.

Education

The federal government should use tax dollars to help schools in poor areas; it should ensure that funding is equally spread around so that all students get a fair chance at an education. Federal dollars can help with secondary education as well, and the federal government should use affirmative action to help bridge racial divides.

Education is strictly a local matter; the federal government shouldn't be involved. Localities should be free to do whatever they want in terms of affirmative action, equality, and so forth. States may choose to ensure equal funding of diverse regions.

Tout the "Texas Education Miracle", which turned out to be the product of mendacious school administrators, who frantically cut students out of their schools via expulsion and transfer in order to meet education goals set with no methods. Make no mention of this statistical fraud after it was discovered; instead, proceed with an identical plan at the federal level. Impose the federal government into the core issues in classrooms -- how the basics are taught. Demand that all localities teach a curriculum that can pass standardized tests. Tie funding to tests, and ensure that students learn nothing but what is on the tests.

Tax cuts

We should only cut taxes if the budget is balanced. We should try to cut taxes for the poor first. We can use the tax system to encourage social policies, and give tax breaks to encourage things like environmentalism.

Tax cuts are something to strive for, but the budget must be balanced. We favor across the board tax cuts. The tax system should never be used for social ends. A progressive tax system is acceptable, but we should strive for a flat tax system.

We should focus tax cuts on the top brackets, with the intent of increasing investment and the flow of capital. We should ignore payroll taxes and total tax burdens. We should ignore the AMT fiasco that is only a few years out. Since the American public doesn't know the difference between an average and a median, we don't feel the need to educate them, and we will use it for political effect. Since deficits don't matter, any and every tax cut is an appropriate thing to do. If deficits do turn out to matter, we'll just deal with that when it happens, and if it means dramatic and unplanned alterations in the structure of the federal government, so be it. Argue that if tax cuts for the wealthy are reversed, it's a tax increase for all citizens.

Rhetoric

Moving society towards a future with equal opportunity for all is an unfinished task; the federal government has an active role to play here. Because states have varying social environments, we need to have a level playing fields across the entire country.

Reducing the size of the federal government and regaining states' rights is critical. Government needs to do less, not more. The tax burden on the economy needs to be reduced. Fiscal responsibility is a must; we are the party of hard-edged realism, and we don't shirk when tough decisions have to be made. We'll cut what we have to, and run a tight ship. Equality of opportunity isn't possible, so the federal government shouldn't have anything much to say about it. States can try whatever they want to.

America can do anything; it's not patriotic to think otherwise. If we just believe, there's no limit to what we can accomplish. Criticizing the administration during wartime is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. A strong leader never modifies his public statements. Say as little as possible; a stake never placed in the ground can't be tripped over later. Pretend that the left seeks equality of outcome while pursuing policies that guarantee inequality of outcome. Secretly seek to create a new class of wealthy financiers of the political class; create laws designed to benefit industries and individuals who "play ball". Tilt the playing field towards friends of those in power, then whine about "obeying the rule of law" as being the most important thing. Use the rhetoric of war to package conventional attacks together with extraordinary measures to assault terrorism; use that "war on terror" as cover for a conventional warfare to create change in the middle east. Other nations are to be disregarded, and international law does not apply to a sovereign America. A President can do anything if he perceives that the security of the nation is at risk; in such situations, laws do not apply.

Financial Policy

Government has a role; our taxes are a reasonable price to pay for critical services. We need a federal government to monitor certain private organizations and entitires for the good of all.

Reducing the size of government is important. We rely too much on the government for services; the government shouldn't be in the business of providing them. Allow some of these to devolve back to the community and state level; reduce the size of the federal government overall.

Deficits don't matter. Economic expansion cures everything. Tax cuts for the wealthy cure every ailment in the economy, and therefore contribute to everything.

States' Rights

Federal power should be used to address issues of equality, rights, religion, and the environment. States should not have the power to create a hostile atmosphere or impinge upon equality.

Federal power should be reduced, and states should simply make their own decisions on these matters. The federal government should not be involved.

The federal government should promote religion and observance, and should allow full participation of religious groups in all levels of government. Federal policy decisions can and should be made on the basis of religion. Morality should be proscribed and legislated according to Judeo-Christian values, but not in a literal sense.

Race

The federal government needs to ensure that equality is applied to all. The federal government must push forward on this issue and hold states accountable. Affirmative action is acceptable and proper for now, and is perhaps appropriate reparation for the past.

The treatment of race is a local and state matter; the federal government does not need to be involved. The basic rights guaranteed in the constitution are adequate; we do not need more legislation in this area. If a locality decides affirmative action is appropriate, that is a local matter. Reparations are a nice idea, but aren't going to happen.

The federal government should be actively involved in ensuring that affirmative action programs do not proceed; it should sue and be a party to court actions where affirmative action is to be decided. Race as an issue is over, and no longer requires any action on the part of the government. We should instead focus resources on ensuring that no favorable treatment is given to minorities. The idea of reparations is offensive; we all have "oppression" in our past.

Legacy

Bill Clinton represented what we really need in a President -- big ideas, big analysis, capability, and being the smartet guy in the room. Clinton was a classic overachiever, but a flawed individual. His "morality issues" were irrelevant to his Presidency. If would could have those days back, would we? We'd rather have a President with a few problems than a country with a lot of problems. Clinton's Presidency resembled his past -- brilliant overachiever and policy thinker, with personality and character issues.

A strong sense of character must be combined with strong fiscal responsibility. A President must be committed to reducing the size of government and to balancing the budget. Realism and minimalism must dominate Presidential thinking. Make hard decisions, and make them fast. Republican Presidencies look like their careers -- a tough climb up, demonstrated competence and knowledge, realism, and strong leadership.

"Never Vary". Serious people don't need to explain themselves; you can be assured that affairs are being run competently. You may not read the memo. We are in extraordinary times. The experienced and highly competent people we added to the adminstration to gain public trust in the "team" turned out to be disloyal when they reacted to the real effects of the team's policies. The new black is white. An ever-growing list of failed promises and policies fails to yield a single successful major initiative. GWB's Presidency bears astonishing resemblance to his career -- abject failure, punctuated by brief externally imposed successes by having the right family name.

Homosexuality

Live and let live; the federal government has a role to play in ensuring that we have legislation in place that ensures equality over the country as a whole. Gay marriage/civil unions are fine and should be recognized everywhere in full faith and credit. Legislation that enforces equality in the workplace and other areas of life is necessary. Federal legislation must override state laws that criminalize homosexuality.

Disapprove of gay marriage, but believe that the federal government doesn't have a role to play in deciding the question. Believes that states should not have to respect civil unions granted in other states. The gay lifestyle is immoral and should not be encouraged. We do not need laws to create an artifical "equality" in the workplace, and we do not need federal law in this area.

The federal government should pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage and civil unions nationwide, overriding any state legislation on the matter. Anti-gay sentiment should relentlessly be used as a political tool. Since being gay is a matter of "choice", public funds should be diverted to organizations that preach "conversion".

Self-Perceived Strengths

Compassion; fighting for "the little guy", standing up against corporations, equality for all, environmentalism.

Realism, respect for tradition, reduction in burden, individual rights, property rights.

Moral correctness, monothematic policy, might makes right. Adapt the facts, not the ideology.