Don't know why the formatting got hosed, I'll try one more time.

Here's a quick run through the gauntlet. There's a few I drew a blank on. I look forward to seeing some other responses.


1. Should photo ID cards be required in order to vote?


Hell yes. In my state you just have to point to your name on a list. It gives me the heeby jeebies.


2. What will you do to secure our borders from illegal immigrants and/or terrorists?


This is tough. I don't have a ready answer for it.


3. Is there a better solution to Middle East turmoil, than the establishment or promotion of freely elected democratic republics? Why or why not?


No, However there are more ways to promote democracy than by invasion/occupation. I'm not so sure they would work, and the jury's still out on the invasion/occupation method.


4. What are your intentions regarding Tort Reform?


Cap punitive damages to a reasonable level. Real damages should be assessed, but punitive need not be more than 500,000 per person IMO.


5. If you could write an Amendment to the Constitution and know it would pass and be ratified, what would that Amendment be?


An ammendment to make it harder to pass an ammendment. If I can be so sure it will pass and be ratified, than the process must be too easy.


6. What specific measures would you recommend to protect Social Security for coming generations?


Define a future date (say 25 years) and declare SS will not be extended beyond that time for those who recieve a seperate retirement income above X amount (based on projected cost of living averages). There is no reason to have wealthy individuals on the dole.


7. Where do you stand on eliminating the income tax and SSI tax and replacing them with a national consumption tax?


Income tax is just fine with me.


8. What will you do to ensure the integrity of the voting system?


Require all votes be by absentee ballott. Ballotts will not be counted unless signatures match.


9. What are the limits to judicial authority?


Judges do not legislate, they judge. Judges should be given ability to reduce or expand sentences based on their personal judgement.


10. Given that many states give equal treatment U.S. citizens, legal aliens and illegal aliens, just what does it mean to be a U.S. citizen (besides not being hassled by INS) ?


U.S. Citizens enjoy special protection (or at least assurances) from the U.S. government when travelling abroad for one.


11. Should undocumented aliens have the ability to get legal drivers licenses?


no


12. What is your first proposal to balance the Federal Budget?


I don't know.


13. What is your proposal for lowering the National Debt?


not sure.


14. Confidence in the validity of elections has fallen sharply in some places. What would you recommend to repair and rebuild that confidence?


When the election is a statistical tie, their should be no recounts. A simple coin toss will do.


15. What are the limits to the authority of the Federal Government?


See Bill of Rights.


16. Do you believe the continued existence of a central bank (the Federal Reserve) that issues fiat money is in the best interests of the U.S.?


fiat money? How do I get some of that? I really don't know what they are talking about, but I could use a new car.


17. What actions do you support for education reform?


Well we shouldn't be cutting off funding for programs that work, like Head Start for one. I don't care much for vouchers, but can't think of anything better to motivate schools to do better than cutting off their money. However cutting off their money doesn't fix the problem, it exasperates it. I'm not smart enough to know the magic solution to fixing bad schools.


18. Should judicial nominees be guaranteed a “yes or no” vote in Committee? Why or why not?


I don't know


19. What should our short and long term strategies be in Iraq?


Long term, get the hell out. Short term, quit screwing up with Abu Ghraib messes, treat the Iraqis like it's their country not ours, start handing over the keys to their government through elections. Then shut up and take orders from the Iraqi government till they ask us to leave.


20. What should the United States’ relationship be with the United Nations?


The US should continue being a vocal member of the UN, pushing for resolutions with teeth in them and backing them up. If something passes we as a country can't ratify, then we simply don't ratify it and move on to the next issue. If our own resolution gets shot down, then we should rewrite it and come back and try again. We should quit assuming the U.N is there simply to agree with us.

-Steve G.