I'm a new member of Democratic Party.
Actually, I'm new U.S citizen and when I got sworn in this February the first thing I did when left the building is registered myself as Democrat at the nearby registration table. There were lot of people registering, at least much more than at the Republican table, which is a very good sign.
Anyway, I wanted to introduce myself here.
Also I would like to laid out my principles and political views. Some of it may not follow traditional views of Democratic Party (I have no way of knowing what is traditional for Democrats and what is not).
- I'm atheist. Always was. I'm not what you call "militant" or "aggressive" atheist. I think people entitled to believe or not believe to whatever they want, as long as they are not violating my rights to do so as well.
- Originally I'm from Russia. Was born in USSR (remember such country?) and I've seen first hand what it's like when country is falling apart, when family members end up in different sides of the borders, when economy is collapsing and each morning you have to wonder how to feed you kids today. That's why I'm kinda for strong governments and stability. You may call me "conservative" in that manner.
- Also, I'm the victim of Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. I was there, lived in Pripyat, worked at the plant at that time. And even though nuclear power didn't do me any good, I still think it's much better to the environment than other existing power plants. We just have to find the way to control this sh~t better and find a way to contain it better as well. There are some promising researches in nuclear physics and atomic energy that I believe will help us with upcoming energy crisis.
- I'm pro-choice. I strongly believe that women has all the rights to control how to deal with their bodies. Some of my friends are pro-life and I understand their choice.
- I'm not what you call "pro gay marriage". I liked the way Obama answered this question at the university the other day - "strong civil unions with the equal rights as marriages". I strongly believe that adults are free to do whatever they want in this regard. I just don't like it when people start changing the meaning of the words. For me the word "marriage" means the civil union between man and woman. And I don't want that meaning to be changed. What I think we need is to create words that would define civil unions between man and man, and between woman and woman. And definitely give them the same legal power as marriage. Problem solved.
- I'm not sure what to think about guns. On one hand, I think it's very good idea to allow people defend themselves. On the other, there so much idiots out there that I don't want them to have guns in their hands. So, I'm sort of leaning towards having universal gun control. Idiots and other crazy people must not have guns, period.
- Taxes and such. I think US should look very closely at other countries that have flat tax rates. I think it's very good idea - a) it eliminates to some degree the huge bureaucracy machine we have now, because you pay your taxes over the year and don't have to file anything at the end; b) it's easy to understand for everyone, just multiply what you earn to the percent and that's it; c) it's fair to everybody, no matter how much you earn, you pay the same percent as the other guy.
- I'm strong supporter of international communities, international treaties, and such.
- I hate double standards in politics: domestic or international. Also, I hate it when one country "teaches" the other how they should live. That's why I don't support any form of "spreading democracy" either by Democratic or Republican Presidents. The same way I don't believe in "spreading communism". I strongly believe that democracy is the natural state of the country and it should be achieved by the country's own citizens. Not CIA's or KGB's operative. And certainly not by corrupt politicians. And believe me, I saw plenty of that back in Russia.
- I don't like Clintons. Mostly because how Bill handled the crisis in Balkans. I strongly believe that it's a huge mistake to allow such terrorists organization as KLA to run their own "country". I think we'll have some huge problems in the future because of this.
And finally,
- I'm Obama supporter. I haven't voted yet. But I will in November. Obama is the first politician that I like. Granted, I don't agree with all his views and actions. I wish some of thing he's said and done were different. But I think he is able to do the right thing and he has the right type of judgement.