CF Election Game: The Vote

[Ar Cosc]

Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for, the voting for the CF elections is now open.

Feel free to discuss your choices in-thread.

The polls will stay open until Midnight, GMT, on Wednesday the 2nd of February. Get your vote in early!

Information on the parties is summarised below, for a more in-depth view of their policies and stance on key issues, take a look at the Debate Thread: http://www.christianforums.com/t7530270/

Name of Party: Social equality and justice (mzungu)

Approximate political category: Socialist
National Security (Internal and External): Better border control and well educated and trained police. Tougher stance on foreign intervention aimed at my country.

Education and Health Care: will copy the Finnish model (as is today). [That's free healthcare for the majority, and free education up until the end of third level, free daycare]

Transport and Utilities: With the exception of sea and air all other transport will be public. Water and electricity will be public. Communications will be mixed.

Social Issues (Gay marriage, etc.): No death penalty. no male gay couples adopting children, (only female gay couples can adopt). Petty crimes will be served with community work and or serving in the armed forces. Children and the elderly will be afforded maximum protection and support under the law. Total freedom of religion except to cults such as scientology

The economy, business, and jobs: Regulation of the banking and private industry (opposite of globalisation). Will stick to the European model of employment policies and labour laws of the 80s.

Other: corruption will be dealt with severely especially if politicians are involved. They will be publicly mocked and their assets will be confiscated and given to the poor.

Gun ownership for sporting use only

Name of Party: Federalist (panzerkampfwagen)

Approximate political category: Libertarian

and the position it plans to take, if elected, in the following key areas:

National Security (Internal and External): Mexican border: In order to secure the border with Mexico, and because the Mexican government cannot get its endemic corrupt under control, and in light of its complicity in aiding criminals in violating US law, we are going to have to take a firm stance, possibly including creating of a buffer zone within Mexican territory. We also need to strengthen security along the Northern border and make it more difficult for drug smugglers particularly in the mountainous areas. We also need to increase vigilance of our coastal waters and begin a program of deportation of those who are illegally in the US.

Education and Health Care: The federal government should not meddle in education and health care. States should be free to enact any type of education system that they wish and any type of health care system that they wish.

Transport and Utilities: The federal government will design and create a highway system for the government's use in national matters. It also is an incidental benefit to the states.

Social Issues (Gay marriage, etc.): The federal government does not meddle in social legislation except to ensure that papers granted by one state are given full faith and credit by any other state to include drivers' licenses, concealed pistol licenses, marriage licenses, divorce decrees and any other document issued by one of the several states.

The economy, business, and jobs: The federal government is not in the business of creating jobs. In the interests of general welfare, the federal government can pass nonspecific legislation which ensures that all products brought to market in the US are safe for use prior to their entrance into the commerce of the US. Our party supports a uniform across the board tax rate of somewhere between 10 and 25% until we can decide which programs need to be cut and balance the budget and pay off the national debt. The tax rate will then be fixed at a percentage of that rate, and individuals will have the option of paying their taxes either in installments throughout the year or in one lump sum at the end of the year. Each employer will issue an employee an earnings statement at the end of the year showing how much the employee earned. We believe that simplifying the tax code in that manner will greatly help the US economy.

Other: We will stop federal funding to the states, and use that money for federal purposes. We will not use federal funding to influence policy decisions of states.

Name of Party: Common Sense Party (jayem)

Approximate political category: Some liberal, conservative, libertarian, state regulation, and anything else when it makes sense

National Security (Internal and External): Expeditious withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. Relax work permit requirements, but increase personnel at borders, and change TSA procedures to utilize profiling.

Education and Health Care: Health insurance separated from employment, but kept in private sector. Carriers required to sell insurance to everyone, and everyone required to have a basic, catastrophic policy. Medicare and Medicaid to be incorporated into overall insurance system. Education to be left at local level.

Transport and Utilities: Local issues. As budget allows, government should fund/give tax credits for research into fuel efficient tranportation and renewable energy. May consider revising rules on nuclear power.

Social Issues (Gay marriage, etc.): Generally libertarian.

The economy, business, and jobs: Phase out current income tax and replace with some variation of negative income tax. May also consider adding consumption or VAT. Allow companies to hire foreign workers above board (in keeping with border policy) but with strict oversight. Long-term goal should be to form a Western Hemisphere Economic Union to compete with EU and Asian countries.

Other: Scale down NASA. AS per above, highest priority for government supported scientific research should be renewable energy, and eventual energy independence.

Name of Party: Liberty (callmemurph)

Approximate political category: Libertarian

National Security (Internal and External): The government's responsibilities are limited to protecting individuals from coercion, fraud and theft, to requiring reparation to victims, and to defending the country from foreign aggression. We will protect our borders from foreign aggressors. Peaceful people will be allowed to enter the country. Individuals are encouraged to protect themselves from all forms of aggression.

Education and Health Care: Private education would allow the best institutions to emerge through competition and people would have the choice where to attend. Private health care institutions (hospitals, insurance, etc) would also allow people to choose the most competitive healthcare they were able to afford. For those who are unable to afford proper health care or education they would be provided for by charitable groups.

Transport and Utilities: These would be run by private groups. Those unable to afford the services would find help from charitable groups.

Social Issues (Gay marriage, etc.): Everyone has the right to their own person, the right of donation, of bequest (and, concomitantly, the right to receive the bequest or inheritance), and the right of contractual exchange of property titles. Things such as gay marriage will be left up to individuals. If two gay people choose to marry they will be able to marry. They will not be able to force a church or any other institution to marry them though. If they want to set up their own church they are free to do so.

The economy, business, and jobs: A command (government run/guided) economy destroys the information function of prices, and that authority over the economy leads to totalitarianism. The only way to get the maximum efficiency from the economy, which will allow for the optimum amount jobs and best prices, is to let the economy run itself. (Private banks, private institutions, a money supply that is backed by more than government control)



I realize this might seem simple because I'm basically stating the same thing over and over again. Feel free to ask questions so I can elaborate if you wish.

Other: Would legalise marijuana for personal use
Would not sanction government-funded public awareness programmes
Would not penalise companies who pollute

Name of Party: The Peoples Christian Party (dawiyd)

Party Goals: To eliminate the social ills that plague society, not through prohibition and restriction of liberty but taxation.

Approximate political category: We aim to portray ourselves as Conservative Christians.

National Security (Internal and External): Remove personal body scanners from airports, they are indecent. However increase funding for searches.

Tighter border patrols and essential maintaining America's security.

We will stay committed to the war in Afghanistan. Fundamentalist Islam, is one of the gravest facing America. To coin a phrase, "we have to be lucky all the time, they only have to be lucky once". We cannot let Al-Qaeda form a base in Afghanistan, they must be eradicated! We must put more pressure on Pakistan to combat militants.

Education and Healthcare: We announce no policy information at this time. *

Transport and Utilities: All privatised, with local government subsides for non profitable rural routes and infrastructure.

Social Issues (Gay marriage, etc.): Gay marriage is illegal, however civil-partnerships are legal, and certain and certain issues like property inheritance after a death of a partner. However no tax-breaks. I'll expand on this later.

Drugs policy: Drugs are a social ill, and should be eradicated for personal use, stringent efforts should be made to stop importation, smuggling and using.

Medicinal Cannabis, should be lead by science and not prejudice. We believe that politicians are not doctors, so medicines will be regulated by the FDA, on an evidence based approach to it's effectiveness.

Abortion: Abortion made illegal, except in circumstances where the mothers physical life is endanger. Would seek to enable the rights of the foetus for life.

Pornography: Respect the rights of publishers, would never attempt to subvert the press, but we intend to impose prohibitive tax on pornography on all magazines and online subscriptions.

Alcohol & Cigarettes: Both are major contributors to the public health crisis America finds itself in. Again we intend to impose to a prohibitive tax.

Jobs: The government is not an employer, it is the private sector and small business that creates Jobs. Government funded job projects take resources away from the private sector. We seek to support small businesses by lowering small business tax. Seek to increase government buying American over cheaper foreign purchases.

Other: Will not impose penalties on companies who pollute, although individuals are free to pursue civil suits if damage is caused to them by a company's actions

 

[Ar Cosc]

And the final two parties:

Democratic Socialist Party (WiredSpirit) Name of Party: Democratic Socialist Party (seeks to caucus with Social equality and Justice party on certain issues)

Approximate political category: socialist

National Security (Internal and External):

All bases on foreign soil will be closed. All contracts with private companies dealing with defense will be reviewed for waste and heavily scrutinized before renewal. Our country will have strong allies on every continent, which will aid our cause in a global conflict.

Education and Health Care:

Primary education will be held to federal standards and not state and local standards. In some of the states with the best overall education rankings we have some of the worst schools and in some of the states with the worst rankings we have the best schools. These schools are innovators and we'll model our system after them. A two-year post-secondary education will be provided and if academic progress is met the student can go on to complete a four-year post-secondary program at a public institution. Private schools will be allowed to operate so long as they meet federal accreditation standards.

Transport and Utilities:

Every metropolitan area of 100,000 people or more will undergo a study every 10 years in correlation with the census to develop and implement comprehensive public transportation. Localities will receive federal funding to implement and/or maintain their transit systems so long as their plans meet the needs outlined in the federal study. Completion of existing plans for high-speed, cross country rail lines will be a priority.

Social Issues (Gay marriage, etc.):

Government and commerce related agencies will recognize gay marriage, but non-profit, non-government agencies are free to define marriage however they wish. Abortion will be legal, however, surgical abortions must be performed in a hospital with emergency credentials and for-profit clinics, which often push women to make decisions not in their best interests, will close.

Criminal rehabilitation will be a priority. The death penalty will be abolished.

The economy, business, and jobs:

Commodities with a wide-spread, direct affect on commerce will be run by the government without use of public funds. This means consumers will still pay the costs. These include energy and general utilities. We see how electric prices in areas with a municipality-utility are often one-third or less that of a private utility. It is important for consumers to pay the cost, however, to encourage responsible use and conservation.

The effective tax rate on corporations will not be less than 20%. Even with the US corporate tax rate at 35% the effective rate on them averages out to 11%.

A strong consumer protection agency will scrutinize all consumer investment and banking products, and day trading will be strongly discouraged through taxes and penalties.

Name of Party: Hawk Party (Chris81)


Approximate political category: Neo-conservative

National Security (Internal and External): Maintaining a strong national defense is the primary objective of the Hawk Party. The US military budget should be significantly increased such that it accommodates a fighting force of 2 million soldiers, the next generation of stealth fighters, bombers, and other advanced military hardware, and the capacity to fight wars in multiple theaters of battle.

Israel is our most important ally and we pledge unwavering support in its efforts to combat Hamas and Hezbollah and we defend its rightful territorial claims.

We seek to not only continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but plan to set up large permanent military bases that will serve as platforms to launch future wars against Iran and Syria. We believe the way to combat terrorism and extremism is to implement democracies in emerging nations and assist countries in adopting democratic governments.

Education and Health Care: Standards for education need to be set and monitored at the federal level. Our nation schools are presenting a far too critical view of American history. Our schools need to emphasis America as the indispensible nation, that is truly exceptional, and histories greatest empire.

Our party is greatly concerned with the health of our nation’s youth. Our schools need to do a better job emphasizing proper diet and physical fitness at a very early age. The federal government needs to regulate what is put into our food to help ensure that we have a much healthier overall public. Our government needs to ensure that we have a healthy fit population of young adults that stand ready to fight for their nation when they are called to serve.

Transport and Utilities: Our party supports large capital investment projects to improve our nation’s highways, bridges, and rail lines. We believe a strong national infrastructure is needed to insure a thriving economy.

Social Issues (Gay marriage, etc.): US culture continues to sink to new lows of vulgarity. We believe government has a responsibility to restore faith and values to society. We are deeply troubled by the increasing breakdown of the family because see the strength of the family being tied to the overall health and vitality of the Nation.

Illegal Drug use is a major problem that must be dealt with through a more aggressive war on drugs. We need more police officers on our streets to deal with this nation’s out of control crime. We need stricter enforcement of drug laws and longer prison sentences for drug users and dealers.

The economy, business, and jobs: Our party is generally supportive of free markets and capitalism, favoring supply side approaches, but we believe that government intervention and budget deficits are necessary for the purposes of stimulating the economy.

We believe that one of the best means to stimulate the economy is for our country to undertake a large military conflict. This fact was evidenced by the US economy recovering from the Great Depression by fighting and winning in World War II.

 

[NoBama2012]

>
>

I didn't see what I wanted.
I went for Federalist (Panzerkampfwagen)

 

[Douger]

Ahhhh! Where's the undo?!?! I meant to vote Liberty, but instead clicked People's Christian

 

[Ar Cosc]

Ahhhh! Where's the undo?!?! I meant to vote Liberty, but instead clicked People's Christian

There isn't one, as much as I'd love there to be! I've clicked the wrong option on a poll many's the time!

 

[Saving Hawaii]

Ahhhh! Where's the undo?!?! I meant to vote Liberty, but instead clicked People's Christian

The old Freudian slip.

 

[WiredSpirit]

I'm a little confused about the Federalist platform. Are they running for control of the US?

 

[Chris81]

Remember that everything changed after 9-11. We need a party that will stop at nothing to end the Islamic terrorist threat. God bless America the greatest nation on earth and vote the Hawk Party!

 

[WiredSpirit]

 

[Douger]

The old Freudian slip.

LOL!

 

[Panzerkamfwagen]

I'm a little confused about the Federalist platform. Are they running for control of the US?

Yes.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Dang. I'm not entirely happy with my choice, having noticed WAY too late that "Social Equality and Justice" wants to keep male gay couples from adopting for no particular reason (while having no trouble with lesbian couples doing the same).

Meh.

 

[Tielec]

Hahah that's why I voted for the social equality and justice party. Equality for all (except gays) .

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Dang. I'm not entirely happy with my choice, having noticed WAY too late that "Social Equality and Justice" wants to keep male gay couples from adopting for no particular reason (while having no trouble with lesbian couples doing the same).

Meh.

Hahah that's why I voted for the social equality and justice party. Equality for all (except gays) .

My thoughts exactly Plus they seemed a little too gung-ho with border control, foreign policy, etc, and their freedom of religion seems to be "Freedom of Religion to all religions... except those religions we don't like".

I'm also surprised the 'Liberty' party would be in favour of privatisation of transport, energy, water, healthcare, etc. It seems to be liberal for individuals, but quite conservative for large conglomerates (businesses, etc).

But the Democratic Socialist Party, now that's a banging party

 

[mzungu]

The Social Equality and Justice party will like to clarify on some of its policies:

We are not anti Gay but we believe that children growing up with a mother present is better for the child. This does not mean that male gay couples are not fit to be parents. However in keeping to our equality policies we are willing to put the issue up for a referendum; And should the majority be in favour then we will bring it up for a vote in the house.

Also we will request the International organisation of Psychology to give its input on the matter.

Scientific evidences will play a major role in many of our decision making.

We cannot possibly please everyone, but we aim to offer a more just society.

As for the Border issue:

Economic refugees will not be issued a green card unless they make they follow the proper procedures of applying for a permit; However we shall aim to help the countries afflicted with poverty to achieve economic growth and thus more jobs.

Refugees coming from war torn countries and or ones seeking asylum due to fear for their lives from state persecution will be given special consideration.

We cannot afford to inundate our country with people seeking a better future before we can offer to our citizens the basic services that are within our policies.

We ask you to remember that all laws are not static and are meant to reflect the needs and wishes of a society.

As for freedom of religion:

We do not consider Scientology to be a religion for they do not adhere to the specifics of what constitutes a religion. The church of Scientology has been accused of crimes and has been shown to function more like a closed knit crime syndicate than a religious establishment.

All religions are offered complete freedom unless they violate basic human rights eg: Female genital circumcision, death penalty, abuse of women, etc.

Any religion that does not permit its followers to leave and are threatened with harsh punishment, will not be allowed to function.

We adhere to the commonly accepted human rights as specified by the UN.

We are also willing to listen and discuss issues pertaining to the needs of everyone including minorities.

LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION!

 

[callmeMurph]

I'm also surprised the 'Liberty' party would be in favour of privatisation of transport, energy, water, healthcare, etc. It seems to be liberal for individuals, but quite conservative for large conglomerates (businesses, etc).

Thats what being a libertarian is. Liberty for everyone.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

I need to found my own party, even if it will not show up in the poll:


Name of Party: GAIA (Green Anarchists International Association)


Approximate Political Category: Green anarchism/ Deep Ecology/ Social Ecology

National Security (Internal and External): On a larger scale, the use of force only serves to treat the symptoms of social wrongs, but not their causes. As such, it is a necessary evil in protecting citizens from harm, but contributes little to an actual solution.
The best way to keep desperate refugees from poor countries from trying to cross into our own (as in the case of Africans trying to enter the EU and Mexicans doing the same in the US) is to end the neo-colonialist exploitation of their countries of origin. Far too many countries have been reduced to mere thralls to the World Bank or some multinational corporations, and are independent in name only.
"Pre-emptive strikes", meaning military invasions of foreign territories without due cause, are illegal. We must deal with the aftereffects of the neo-con policies and try our best to help the Iraqi and Afghan population recuperate from the war - but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't withdraw our troops at the earliest opportunity.
The Guantanamo camp will be closed. It was a very obvious attempt at violating the very principles of law that have made the US a free country and a paragon of Western democracy to begin with.

Education and Health Care:
Education and Scientific Research must be our top priority. The best way to ascertain social justice is to make sure that a top-rate education is no longer an exclusive privilege or rich kids and a few working class geniuses that are funded so that the rich can feel better about keeping the poor people out for the most part.
Research needs more government funding in order to be truly independent. Privately funded projects will always tend to exhibit some unavoidable bias towards producing exactly the results the investor desires. Furthermore, we need to invest in research into renewable energy sources, for obvious reasons.

Universal health care is mandatory. It's insufferable that a wealthy nation does not take care of its citizens, and leaves people to suffer and die because they cannot pay for treatment on their own. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and thus, it is our moral duty to contribute to the well-being of our neighbours.
Furthermore, economic interests and public health do not go well together. The first focuses on profit maximization, the second on the welfare of patients - and those two are very often at odds with each other.

Social Issues: Social legislation should be kept to an absolute minimum, and social values are the domain of individuals and/or communities. If religion X feels that their members ought not to eat oysters, they are free not to buy and eat them, but that doesn't mean that all oysters are henceforth prohibited and mustn't be sold. The same applies to sexual taboos and so forth. The law is only concerned with protecting people from harm - and in most cases, social or religious taboos do not fall into that category.

Transport and Utilities: No natural monopoly should ever be in private hands, lest the owner exploits his position to milk those who depend upon it.
Public transportation ought to be owned by communities, as again, profit maximization and public interests tend to be at odds with each other. Furthermore, public transportations needs to become more attractive, losing its social stigma.

The Economy, Businesses, and Jobs: As it is, international politics are dominated by undemocratic institutions like the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank, while international banks and corporations concentrate more power in their hands than most states.
In light of our technological possibilities, globalization is unavoidable, but we need to keep the market under democratic control, ascertaining that the monetary elite does not abuse its power to exploit those who are less powerful. Any full-time job should result in a wage that makes life sustainable, and "sweat shops" need to be combated. It is important to guide the market in a direction where long-term sustainability becomes a factor again, instead of proliferating a system that focuses on short-term profits and the least possible ethical standard. Right now, the most ruthless and unethical corporations are those with the largest profit margin, and those who act in the most responsible fashion are the ones that suffer.

Other: Environmental concerns are (naturally) important to GAIA, but we do not believe that coercion by force could ever render the desired results. Instead, we must seek to educate people, to make investing into eco-tech more attractive to companies, and to stop major corporations from acting against the interests of local communities.

 

[callmeMurph]

Would not penalise companies who pollute

I just want to note that Liberty does wish to see pollution to be penalized. People are free to boycott these companies if they wish. Also if they can trace property damage back to a company or individual they are free to bring them to court.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

The Social Equality and Justice party will like to clarify on some of its policies:

We are not anti Gay but we believe that children growing up with a mother present is better for the child. This does not mean that male gay couples are not fit to be parents. However in keeping to our equality policies we are willing to put the issue up for a referendum; And should the majority be in favour then we will bring it up for a vote in the house.

Also we will request the International organisation of Psychology to give its input on the matter.

Scientific evidences will play a major role in many of our decision making.

Is there any evidence that children raised without a major female figure, are any worse off?

As for the Border issue:

Economic refugees will not be issued a green card unless they make they follow the proper procedures of applying for a permit; However we shall aim to help the countries afflicted with poverty to achieve economic growth and thus more jobs.

Refugees coming from war torn countries and or ones seeking asylum due to fear for their lives from state persecution will be given special consideration.

We cannot afford to inundate our country with people seeking a better future before we can offer to our citizens the basic services that are within our policies.

We ask you to remember that all laws are not static and are meant to reflect the needs and wishes of a society.

Still, given the current state of US immigration control and the disturbing powers granted to the TSA, it's my opinion (and just my opinion) that border control needs to be relaxed, not strengthened. When a state's xenophobia incites abuse of its own citizens, that's when you need to stop.

As for freedom of religion:

We do not consider Scientology to be a religion for they do not adhere to the specifics of what constitutes a religion. The church of Scientology has been accused of crimes and has been shown to function more like a closed knit crime syndicate than a religious establishment.

The Church of Scientology is a business, not a church, that's for sure. But if someone wants to practise the religion of Scientology, unaffiliated from the mainstream Church, should they be free to do so?

All religions are offered complete freedom unless they violate basic human rights eg: Female genital circumcision, death penalty, abuse of women, etc.

What about male genital circumcision, or the abuse of men?

Any religion that does not permit its followers to leave and are threatened with harsh punishment, will not be allowed to function.

We adhere to the commonly accepted human rights as specified by the UN.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Thats what being a libertarian is. Liberty for everyone.

Which would, I think, translate to public, not private, institutions. The NHS, for instance, is (in theory) open to everyone - while a privatised healthcare system, such as the US has (or had), would prohibit medicine to those who can afford it. It wouldn't be liberating healthcare for everyone.