Democrat or Republican

[Bill Gold]

The following is sorta stream of conciousness...

I've got no respect for people who vote for a candidate solely because they're a member of their own political party. Saying things like "DEM's ALL THE WAY!" or "Any decent person with their mind in the right place would choose the republican standpoint." even in fun just perpetuates this stupid "my political party is better than yours" attitude. When you should really be saying things like "this issues means a lot to me, and I want to find a politician who feels the same way." or "I want my congressperson to cut the b.s. party rhetoric and tell me what they actually believe in."

MattK, and the rest of you people who claim to be partyline voters: Saying that one political party is better than the other is like saying Chocolate ice cream is better than Peppermint Stick. There really are no "bad guys" or "good guys."

So I'll answer this question in my own little way. I'll write how my ideal candidate would vote or lean on certain issues which mean a lot to me (the ones I can think of on short notice). If you'd like to take issue with my beliefs, we can have a civil conversation about them.

• Pro-Choice
  Anti-Vouchers
  Medicinal Pot = Good
  Assisted Suicide = Good
  Maintain current level of state/federal taxes for poor and middle class. Raise taxes slightly on the wealthy.
  Anti-Free trade (NAFTA). Bad for American workers.
  Total separation between church and state (GJ 9th Circuit w/ regards to the plege of allegiance).
  [Massive amounts of] Regulation, not a ban, on fire arms.
  Universal health coverage (Federally run).

I'll be voting for Gray Davis over Bill Simon in the California Gubernatorial race. I'll also be voting for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (District 16).