What's your political cause?

[.invisible ink.]

I'm curious as to what political causes you are passionate about. There are some really intelligent people who roam these boards, I'm sure we could all benefit to learn more about specific political issues from those of us who are passionate about them and spend our free time absorbing massive amounts of knowledge on a particular (politically-related) topic.

I'll start, I'm really passionate about food politics. I used to be very into animal rights issues and the environment as a whole but I have really focused all my energy in the past few years just into that one area. Additionally, I would like to learn more about the drug policy and the like as it relates to pharmaceutical companies.

What about you?

[saysmydoctor]

Education policy and military reform/defense spending.

[Love As Arson]

Revolutionary socialism.

[Machu505]

Labor and LGBT rights.

[Regards]

Spreading the Good News.

[Brand-new-123]

Spreading the Good News.
love this and your user title. Listening to that as I type.

[Regards]

love this and your user title. Listening to that as I type.
:thumbup: I need to get it back on my computer. I accidentally erased my music folder on my comp.

[Brand-new-123]

:thumbup: I need to get it back on my computer. I accidentally erased my music folder on my comp.
My entire hard drive broke last week so i lost everything and I only have a handful of my cd's on hand at the moment to rip onto the new one that HP sent me. It was a very distressing circumstance.

[unionx]

I have a strong sense of patriotism for my country. So I'm going into the military. And because I'm going into the military I obviously want an increase in military spending. But there needs to fine line between a lot of money and too much money for the military.

I am pro- gay marriage, abortion, mild tax increases, lax gun laws, free college education for students making a certain GPA, and an increase in infrastructure. I am also for oil drilling in Alaska.

I do not agree with allowing Christianity into any form of government, the War on Terror (even though I'm going in the Army), and goddamn corporations being consider human beings and allowed to step around rules.

I DESPISE Tea baggers and their destruction of the American political system. Although they are weakening the Republican party. ;-)

[.invisible ink.]

Spreading the Good News.

pardon my ignorance but what exactly does that mean? and how does it relate politically?

[xshady121]

civil liberties.

specifically, repeal of the patriot act and the legislation and tendency for todays courts to give increasingly more and more leeway to law enforcement and government agencies at the expense of basic civil liberties.

[macabre]

Healthcare reform

[Regards]

My entire hard drive broke last week so i lost everything and I only have a handful of my cd's on hand at the moment to rip onto the new one that HP sent me. It was a very distressing circumstance.
Dang dude. That's horrible, are you going to be able to get them back?
pardon my ignorance but what exactly does that mean? and how does it relate politically?
Considering I relate most of my political ideals to align with my faith, and I'm a biblical studies major, it relates quite a bit. Looking forward to my Justice Theology class next semester

[boxingwithstars]

Education reform
LGBT rights (human rights in general, but this is a big one for me)

[Brand-new-123]

Dang dude. That's horrible, are you going to be able to get them back?


Well I have most of it on my Zune, so it's not the end of the world, but I like to listen through my computer when I'm on it so that's been a little rough. I'll probably DL a lot when I go home for Thanksgiving just because it's easier than ripping a ton of individual cd's or paying for stuff again.

[Josh Weinstein]

Ironically, my political passions don't directly apply to me. As a straight male who doesn't use drugs, I believe in gay rights, abortion rights, and marijuana legalization (if marijuana was legalized, then I would at least try it out).

[saysmydoctor]

I have a strong sense of patriotism for my country. So I'm going into the military. And because I'm going into the military I obviously want an increase in military spending. But there needs to fine line between a lot of money and too much money for the military.
Amazing justification.

[jeremypeele]

LZ0epRjfGLw

This is what i'm passionate about. I think it's about time we got some answers!

[Truman122]

LZ0epRjfGLw

This is what i'm passionate about. I think it's about time we got some answers!

Used to see that commercial all the time when I was a kid on Cartoon Network. Jesus that's nostalgic.

[only the clouds]

LGBT rights and stronger gun control

[perceptrons]

Science and Math Education, and Education reform in general.
Separation of Church and State

[Josh Weinstein]

Science and Math Education, and Education reform in general.
Separation of Church and State

Technically, "separation of church and state" means that the federal government cannot intervene on matters within a Church. People like you tend to think the opposite.

[Sventhegreat]

free college education for students making a certain GPA

This would take a load off of my shoulders. (and out of my pants)

[The Summer Ends]

anti-abortion
repeal of the patriot act
harsher punishments for repeat and violent criminals
keeping the market in the hands of the people, not the government
gay people can get married
etc.

[yves.]

GLBT rights
education reform (including higher education. it is ridiculous that to get a "good" education in america so you can get yourself a mediocre job, you have to pay at least $10k per year and drive yourself into bankruptcy before you even have the chance to earn money)
stricter gun control laws
EXTREMELY strict punishment for child molesters/sexual offenders/rapists/etc.

[perceptrons]

Technically, "separation of church and state" means that the federal government cannot intervene on matters within a Church. People like you tend to think the opposite.
I disagree, but what would a "person like me" know?

[Nevuk]

Nothing, I've lost all hope for change. Not Obama's fault, I've been this way since early 2008. There are ideas that I espouse and believe would be good, but I see working towards them outside the intellectual sphere as a waste of time and energy. My causes are theoretical now, namely determining how to achieve an anarchist/socialist state without a revolution.

Special interests of mine are mostly in meta-narratives and the way they're generated.

[.invisible ink.]

is anyone here actively working toward reform in any of the areas you're passionate about? what do you do? Are you looking to turn this into a career somehow? if so, what are you going to do to achieve it?

I used to go to animal rights protests (i'm sure the government has my picture and name somewhere in their lovely big bad FBI database, i wish i were kidding about that, ha), and i double-majored in sustainable ecology and education when i was in college but have really been slack for a while in putting it to good use. Now i feel like I can no longer sit around and feel like i'm making any sort of difference whatsoever unless i do something actively. So i'm working toward going back to school so I can teach and inspire others with the political/environmental knowledge i'm collecting.

[.invisible ink.]

Nothing, I've lost all hope for change. Not Obama's fault, I've been this way since early 2008. There are ideas that I espouse and believe would be good, but I see working towards them outside the intellectual sphere as a waste of time and energy. My causes are theoretical now, namely determining how to achieve an anarchist/socialist state without a revolution.

Special interests of mine are mostly in meta-narratives and the way they're generated.

I think it's easy to get disillusioned when you see the big picture far too clearly, but that doesn't mean that all hope for change should be abandoned. Think small, what can you do on a local, personal level that can spread? That's the way I look at it now. Do something that makes a small difference and you're going to inspire others to do the same thing. Sure, we may never live to see our ultimate goal fulfilled but the spark has to start somewhere and if we all just threw in the towel and let things go the way of apathy, we're completely just giving in to what "they" want us to do. I can't sit around and feel like i've lived a worthwhile life by being apathetic and not even trying to make a difference.

[Praetor]

I'm big on human rights/civil liberties.

[Praetor]

is anyone here actively working toward reform in any of the areas you're passionate about? what do you do? Are you looking to turn this into a career somehow? if so, what are you going to do to achieve it?

I used to go to animal rights protests (i'm sure the government has my picture and name somewhere in their lovely big bad FBI database, i wish i were kidding about that, ha), and i double-majored in sustainable ecology and education when i was in college but have really been slack for a while in putting it to good use. Now i feel like I can no longer sit around and feel like i'm making any sort of difference whatsoever unless i do something actively. So i'm working toward going back to school so I can teach and inspire others with the political/environmental knowledge i'm collecting.
I live in a small town so there isn't a lot of opportunity for me to do much of anything. I'm going to school for Political Science, hopefully that will take me somewhere where I can act on my beliefs. I'm thinking about working for the ACLU but that's just a wish right now.

[sjb2k1]

lgbt rights and marijuana legalization. the last real thing i did for either is speaking at a prop 8 protest in Raleigh last year.

[wrppdarndyrfngr]

economics, tax reform, inequality, financial regulation, consumer rights

always studying have not actively participated in anything though.

[The Summer Ends]

is anyone here actively working toward reform in any of the areas you're passionate about? what do you do? Are you looking to turn this into a career somehow? if so, what are you going to do to achieve it?

I used to go to animal rights protests (i'm sure the government has my picture and name somewhere in their lovely big bad FBI database, i wish i were kidding about that, ha), and i double-majored in sustainable ecology and education when i was in college but have really been slack for a while in putting it to good use. Now i feel like I can no longer sit around and feel like i'm making any sort of difference whatsoever unless i do something actively. So i'm working toward going back to school so I can teach and inspire others with the political/environmental knowledge i'm collecting.
i once scribbled over a gay slur written on my campus's sidewalk

[Skadrist]

Labor, health care and changing the democrats stance on gun control. I think that the democrat's stance on gun control shots them in the foot. Through and Through I would say I am a Democratic Socialist.

[thursday727]

marijuana law reform
Seperation of church and state

[Theseventhson]

Socialized economy, LGBT rights, marijuana legalization.

[Nevuk]

I think it's easy to get disillusioned when you see the big picture far too clearly, but that doesn't mean that all hope for change should be abandoned. Think small, what can you do on a local, personal level that can spread? That's the way I look at it now. Do something that makes a small difference and you're going to inspire others to do the same thing. Sure, we may never live to see our ultimate goal fulfilled but the spark has to start somewhere and if we all just threw in the towel and let things go the way of apathy, we're completely just giving in to what "they" want us to do. I can't sit around and feel like i've lived a worthwhile life by being apathetic and not even trying to make a difference.
Yeah, that's basically what I do. I just think that whatever I may do that is good will be countered by around 10 minutes of many other people just living their lives. I still try, and I still care, it's just not easy.

[zion the lion]

is anyone here actively working toward reform in any of the areas you're passionate about? what do you do? Are you looking to turn this into a career somehow? if so, what are you going to do to achieve it?

I used to go to animal rights protests (i'm sure the government has my picture and name somewhere in their lovely big bad FBI database, i wish i were kidding about that, ha), and i double-majored in sustainable ecology and education when i was in college but have really been slack for a while in putting it to good use. Now i feel like I can no longer sit around and feel like i'm making any sort of difference whatsoever unless i do something actively. So i'm working toward going back to school so I can teach and inspire others with the political/environmental knowledge i'm collecting.

I havent done anything on large scale or that seems like it would make a difference, but for a good 6 or 7 years I did try to bring LGBT rights to the spotlight with my family. I kind of became a recluse a couple of years ago so I havent done much since then.

so, not much.

[daggeronastring]

Queer and Feminist Politics.

[Neo Cassady]

Education reform
LGBT rights (human rights in general, but this is a big one for me)

These are my big two. Also:

Environmental protection (hey guys, they're still cutting down the rainforest. Guys? Hello? Anyone?)
Alternative Energy research ("clean coal" and natural gas are not a permanent solution)
Health Care reform (e.g., public option)
Separation of Church and State
Protecting women's right to choice
Ending the Iraq/Afghanistan Mistake
Marijuana legalisation
Metrication
Animal care regulations (e.g., no factory farms) and stricter FDA regulations in general

I'd be interested in making a career out of the first two.

[xJesusFreakx]

I primary cause is taking care of myself.

This probably sounds incredibly selfish, and I intentionally worded it like that because I like wording it like that to perk curiosity, but it doesn't mean what one may think. My number one concern isn't to appease myself but rather to reform myself, to make myself into the kind of person I think I should be for the benefit of everyone as a whole. I'm a firm believer in Gandhi's (I think it was him; if not, correct me) "become the change you want to see in the world" mentality. I can't force a just heart and mind onto anyone else, so my primary focus is to live the right way myself and hopefully encourage others to do likewise with my actions. I'm really lazy, etc., so I'm not nearly as good at this as I'd like to be, but that's where my heart is.

If you must know what political causes I'm most in support of, it's the protection of people's rights (as much as possible, as long as they don't directly impose on the rights of others in the process) and education reform (because I feel like ignorance is society's worst enemy).

[Duexy]

Amazing justification.


seriously...I'm a military service member too but I hardly think that we need to increase spending in this area.

[caveBEAR]

The separation of church and skate, brah.

[A7XXX]

These are my big two. Also:

Environmental protection (hey guys, they're still cutting down the rainforest. Guys? Hello? Anyone?)
Alternative Energy research ("clean coal" and natural gas are not a permanent solution)
Health Care reform (e.g., public option)
Separation of Church and State
Protecting women's right to choice
Ending the Iraq/Afghanistan Mistake
Marijuana legalisation
Metrication
Animal care regulations (e.g., no factory farms) and stricter FDA regulations in general

I'd be interested in making a career out of the first two.
Have you already started in working in the environmental field or is that just wishful thinking? I do care about environmental protection too though but I wonder if there are anything else to do beside doing research or becoming an activist.

[boykosaurus]

Middle East democratization, liberalization, and diversification.

[.invisible ink.]

Have you already started in working in the environmental field or is that just wishful thinking? I do care about environmental protection too though but I wonder if there are anything else to do beside doing research or becoming an activist.

nowadays there are tons of environmental job opportunities being created/needed. It depends on what your specific interest is in but right now "green" jobs are becoming very popular. Think about it, wind power, solar power, organics, green housing, etc. - those are just some examples of growing fields where they need people to assist in selling/installing/consulting/designing, even growing.

after college I briefly considered a career as a permaculture consultant overseas but i chickened out, but those jobs do exist, you just have to figure out what you're passionate about and you can probably make it into a career.

[BryterJonah]

Anything and everything advancing the field of astrophysics & particlephysics.


And ending humanity to save the planet.

[fightoffyrdmns]

Urban centralization, public transportation, public policy for combating major health issues in cities such as spread of disease, poverty, etc., and environmental regulation.

[Neo Cassady]

Have you already started in working in the environmental field or is that just wishful thinking? I do care about environmental protection too though but I wonder if there are anything else to do beside doing research or becoming an activist.

Right now it's only wishful thinking, but it's something I'd love to get involved with, even if it's something part-time (I'm a schoolteacher so summers are always a good time for things like that). And like was said, there are lots of green jobs popping up. Also, I may go for my master's in environmental science.

[asmolitor]

financial literacy, investor protections, and consumer financial rights (i.e. payday loan shops, credit cards, etc)

[.invisible ink.]

financial literacy, investor protections, and consumer financial rights (i.e. payday loan shops, credit cards, etc)

what do you think about the so-called "consumer protection" home loan disclosures they keep modifying and adding to help "protect" borrowers?

[A7XXX]

nowadays there are tons of environmental job opportunities being created/needed. It depends on what your specific interest is in but right now "green" jobs are becoming very popular. Think about it, wind power, solar power, organics, green housing, etc. - those are just some examples of growing fields where they need people to assist in selling/installing/consulting/designing, even growing.

after college I briefly considered a career as a permaculture consultant overseas but i chickened out, but those jobs do exist, you just have to figure out what you're passionate about and you can probably make it into a career.
Thanks for the tips that was helpful. Now all I need is a trip to the couselor and I could get my future plan sort out (hopefully)

[TheZeroKid]

Human rights (in ALL cases), Going after corporations that skirt the system, pro-peace and anti-violence (to an extent), anti-fascism, healthcare and education reform.

[.invisible ink.]

Thanks for the tips that was helpful. Now all I need is a trip to the couselor and I could get my future plan sort out (hopefully)

my pleasure! you might also consider volunteering or taking an internship in the area you're interested in pursuing. it can really help you decide whether it's something you can see yourself doing as a career. good luck!

[BryterJonah]

Everything Snake Plisskin did at the end of Escape From L.A. including use of the line, "Welcome to the Human Race."

[oldwirehands]

Education reform. That would help the foundation to a promising future.

[MyNameIsRoss]

I have no agenda

[TheReckoner]

:hitler: I feel like this is appropriate for this thread.

[.invisible ink.]

:hitler: I feel like this is appropriate for this thread.

i don't get it. contribute something or GTFO, k thanks this isn't PL.

[Formatfun]

LGBTQI Rights
Feminism
Net neutrality

[GuitarR0cker1]

I believe that the government should promote an Egalitarian society and am very passionate about everyone having equal rights and equal opportunity.

[trindaddy]

Education reform, civil liberties, legalize it.

[TheReckoner]

i don't get it. contribute something or GTFO, k thanks this isn't PL.
hmh. no thanks.

[sarahsarahsarah]

animal rights and environment

[caveBEAR]

LGBTQI Rights
Feminism
Net neutrality

What's LGBTQI? I know what the LGBT is...but what's QI?

[Josh Weinstein]

Free Yayo!!!

[Machu505]

What's LGBTQI? I know what the LGBT is...but what's QI?
Qatar and Indians.

[caveBEAR]

Qatar and Indians.

What's a qatar, and why are Indians being lumped in with lesbian, gay, transgender and bi-sexuals?

[.invisible ink.]

What's a qatar, and why are Indians being lumped in with lesbian, gay, transgender and bi-sexuals?

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning and Intersex

[TJ Wells]

Gay rights/gay marriage, which makes 90% of the people I meet assume I'm gay.

[coryatlarge]

Gay rights/gay marriage, which makes 90% of the people I meet assume I'm gay.
I get this a lot too.


I'm big on getting rid of factory farms, having genetically modified foods labeled, marijuana legalization, and equal rights all around.

[BryterJonah]

More Swedish music on the airwaves. That's exactly what we need right now.

[Formatfun]

What's LGBTQI? I know what the LGBT is...but what's QI?
QI stands for questioning and intersex.

[Machu505]

What's a qatar, and why are Indians being lumped in with lesbian, gay, transgender and bi-sexuals?
Qatar is a Middle Eastern country.

But I guess questioning and intersex make more sense. :shrug:

[Kozzy333]

Legalization of certain drugs such as Marijuana, LSD, Shrooms, etc. I'm not sure there is much I can do but I would like to.

[BryterJonah]

Gay rights/gay marriage, which makes 90% of the people I meet assume I'm gay.
I was in the Gay/Straight Alliance club at my school last year. Everyone thinks I'm gay.

[Kozzy333]

That's pretty sad that people think you are gay because you support LGBT rights.

[Jali]

ANARCHY! No, really, I'm an anarchist. But aside from that:
The legalization of recreational drugs (yes, all of them)
Free Education to people of all ages
Providing and promoting cheap public transport
Democratic votes on how councils spend large sums of money
And concrete cows everywhere like they have in Milton Keynes....

the last one is the most important.

[Jali]

Oh, and I intend to make all the above happen through the wonders of Semtex. I kid, I kid, but seriously, though, you are all essentially dead...

[pennie]

ANARCHY! No, really, I'm an anarchist. But aside from that:
The legalization of recreational drugs (yes, all of them)
Free Education to people of all ages
Providing and promoting cheap public transport
Democratic votes on how councils spend large sums of money
And concrete cows everywhere like they have in Milton Keynes....

the last one is the most important.

Oh, and I intend to make all the above happen through the wonders of Semtex. I kid, I kid, but seriously, though, you are all essentially dead...

You're odd.

[rawesome]

(Massive) Education Reform
Heath Care Reform (Universal Health Care)
Increasing Government funding for college education
LGBT Rights

and, in a perfect world, abolishing religious establishments.

[rawesome]

Oh, and as far as working towards these efforts, like someone else said I live in a really small, largely Conservative community, so there's not much I can do. I plan on moving to Chicago (or San Francisco, if my girlfriend gets her way) for grad school, so I hope to get more involved in community activism then.

That is, unless we end up moving to Europe as she wants to live abroad and I get really fed up with living here sometimes.

[Chancetobe]

Gay Marriage is the one cause that really gets me riled up. I'm even doing my senior project on it.

[loveisdead]

Gay Marriage is the one cause that really gets me riled up. I'm even doing my senior project on it.
I think this is my biggest platform too. I'm passionate about a lot, but this drives me crazy.

[Chancetobe]

I think this is my biggest platform too. I'm passionate about a lot, but this drives me crazy.

Me too! I just get so infuriated when someone tells me it shouldn't be legal for this or that reason. I mean, most times I can understand the other side to an argument, even if I don't agree. But, with this issue, I feel like it clearly HAS to be legal based on the Equal Protection Clause, and saying otherwise is just discriminatory.