I recently commented to a family member on Facebook who was spouting off about "sin." I essentially said that the greater sin is those that judge others. I don't get pleasure out of stirring up trouble or causing family disharmony, but I wasn't in the mood for preaching at the time so I reacted. It's been quite some time since I've posted and I have often avoided controversy in past posts but I think it's time to let it fly and say, "this is how I feel" on many sensitive issues, so here it goes:
Religion, in general; no thank you for me. I consider myself a pantheist (thank you Dan Brown and Richard Dawkins) whereby god is the sum of all parts. So by this definition (good news), we are all children of god. Yes, god is the totality of the universe. And (more good news), there is not a wrathful god entity watching your every move who will send you to hell (or heaven).
Sex - I think anything should be permitted between consenting adults.
Vice - I think there should be minimal regulations on sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. for those of legal age. Less government is better government.
Legal Age - My philosophy is that if you treat someone as an adult, they will act more like an adult. I enlisted in the army at 19. At that time, the drinking age was 18. That made sense. You can't save people from themselves and you need to let people take personal responsibility. I do not support a 21 drinking age and I think it's bizarre to consider people children on health insurance until 26 (although I understand it to be a simple solution to getting people health insurance).
Health Insurance: Health insurance is NOT health care. Everyone should be able to access affordable health care that is focused on the basics - Breathing, bleeding, broken bones (you get the idea). No, we should not be exploding the costs for everyone to cover things like IVF or sex change operations. I'm not against either, but we need to focus on the basics for all. Presently, we have way too many resources going toward administration (paperwork) of health care and not enough on the provision of health care.
Contraception: I don't understand why health insurance covers pills (and devices) for women, but will not cover condoms. Pills will not protect you from disease. Condoms will both help to prevent pregnancy and prevent disease. Shouldn't this be encouraged? I want to emphasize that I support birth control and that birth control should be promoted to avoid unwanted pregnancy. My point here is that we need to expand this thinking.
Abortion: Absolutely should be legal and infrequent. Yes, you are terminating a life. I am bothered by those who candy coat this fact by calling themselves "pro choice". Bullshit, you are pro abortion. This should be a painful decision that individuals should be able to make safely and for themselves.
Capital punishment: Absolutely, although I am always mystified by some of the apparently weak cases that get the death penalty whereas there are others who are mass murderers and there is absolutely zero doubt as to guilt and they don't get the death penalty. If someone is already serving a life sentence and they kill a guard or another person without cause they need to go.
Corporal punishment: Absolutely - I don't understand why folks think this is cruel and unusual but seem to think its ok to incarcerate someone for a lengthy sentence or incarcerate them with the hopes that they will be victimized by other inmates.
Euthanasia: Absolutely - If a pet were in pain, you would take it to the vet and may need to make a tough decision. Why shouldn't humans be accorded the same decency?
War: As is best said, "what is it good for, absolutely nothing..." I am troubled by the lethality. There is no glory, just ugliness. I am saddened for those that get dragged into participation (conscription and enlistment) as well as all those who are touched by the brutality.
Internet and Cellphone plans and online subscriptions. I can't go onto the Spectrum website to figure out what is available or how much it costs. Neither can I look on the Times Union website to figure out the options for subscribing to the daily paper. When you get a rate, they are introductory teaser rates whereby they quickly bump up your cost and hope you won't object. Sadly, the goal of these companies is to obfuscate their way to a profit. These businesses should be required to post straightforward prices and stop auto-billing.