Daily Despot Update

Buckwoody Egger said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I’m curious to know if you agree with how this administration is handling immigration, citizens, billionaires, pedophiles, and pardons?

heck no.  i have posted to that effect in OT over the years.  hope you are enjoying your mtg phase.  no disrespect just a funny way to describe the recent enlightenment. whether it’s permanent or temporary due to the current admin, at least it will create a space for critical thinking. 

Historically, I have always been more libertarian than anything - socially liberal and fiscally conservative and against big government - admittedly colored by Fox News and the like.

My current positions have been an evolution over a long period of time, definitely sped up by the current administration. I have been blessed enough to have friends in my sphere who force critical thinking and ask a lot of questions - and are patient with discussions and counter-arguments.

The last year I have been fortunate enough to really sit back and take a critical look at all aspects of my life, it has almost been a sabbatical year for me. I guess I am kind of like an ex-smoker (which I also literally am) when it comes to my views - a lot of things have come into focus.

I will say, regardless of my historical political leanings, I would hope even 25 year old me would have been against this administration.

For me, this has never changed:

1. Russia has always been and always will be an enemy.

2. US Troops are not allowed on US soil against US citizens (even National Guard)

3. Warrants signed by judges are always needed to enter property - I have always railed against the Game&Fish "Open Fields Doctrine" because they have been allowed to enter for eons without warrants.

4. You have a right to lawfully carry a gun in public and the government can't shoot you because you have one on you - or use it after the fact as justification.

5. Citizens do not need to show proof of citizenship

6. Pardons should require clear justification and reasoning, not be bought and sold

7. The US should not invade nor threaten to invade NATO allies

8. Free trade agreements are good

9. Tariffs are a last resort and shouldn't be decided by the President

10. Justice department shouldn't be politicized

11. Immigrants are good for this country and should be welcomed.  I haven't felt we had an immigrant problem, I have always thought we have a red tape bureaucracy problem when it comes to immigrants.

12. H1B visas are good - I have also always felt they were to restrictive because I worked with a number of engineers who were taken advantage of by the companies employing them because the worker wasn't free to change jobs or companies - the companies even used that to justify not giving promotions and raises, said the H1B visa was for there specific title and a promotion would change their title so they couldn't be given one.

13. People should all be respected and loved, regardless of personal identity


My changes have come in the form of:

1. Taxes are not always bad

2. Government regulation can be a very good thing

3. Public infrastructure is good

4. Single Payer healthcare like in Europe would be better than what we have

5. There is a need to government in certain areas of life - mostly to maintain equality

6. Social safety net is a good thing

7. Don't rely on churchs and private donation organizations to take care of peoples welfare

8. Our government can be completely bought and all checks and balances overrun.

9. We need a balanced and free of political motivation Supreme court.

10. There is a reason to protest and people actually need to work to maintain their rights because the government will happily take them all away.

11.  People are not poor because they didn’t work hard enough - the system is rigged.