So you're a libertarian now? Does that mean you are for gun rights and abolishing entitlement programs like social security, medicare and welfare? Do you want to see the system privatized or are you just picking and choosing the parts of the constitution that you will defend?
I have never had as simplistic an opinion on the country as the right-wingers in here have made me out to be. On some things I agree with the libertarians, and on others I agree with the Green party, etc. Let me answer your question first with an overall belief, then with a few specific points.
I believe that Congress has the power to enact laws for things which are not covered within the Constitution, so long as those laws do not conflict with laws that ARE in the constitution. So far as I'm aware, nothing whatsoever in the Constitution forbids entitlement programs or similar programs. Now, I freely admit it's been a number of years since I read through the thing, and I certainly could've missed it, but that's my recollection.
Now, on to some specific points:
1) Gun Ownership. Honestly, I tend to lean towards the interpretation that Article 2 was referring to the right to bear arms specifically as part of an organized militia, but I'm not rabid about it. Consequently, I do indeed believe that at least most citizens have every right to own firearms. I simply believe that, in the interest of public safety, there needs to be SOME control with regard to said ownership, to make sure that as many owners as possible are responsible owners. Also, nowhere in the Constitution does it mention the right to concealed carry, and that's something I do not support.
In any case, here are the codicils I'd like to see enacted, and honestly, I can't see how responsible owners could disagree with them:
a) No one who's been convicted of violent crimes in the past is allowed to own one, ever, period.
b) As part of purchasing a gun, you are required to pass both a written and practical safety test (preferably . Instruction classes for brand new owners could be offered at a nominal fee, akin to drivers training. Those who already know how to use them, could just take the tests and get their certificate.
c) The owner of a firearm is entirely repsonsible for that firearm as long as it is in his ownership, should any incidents occur with that gun and minors. (if it gets stolen and he reports it, obviously this wouldn't apply). What this means is that if you, say, fail to store your gun in a safe manner, and your 4 year old gets ahold of it and shoots & kills the neighbor's 4 year old, YOU are up on trial as if you'd pulled the trigger yourself. If your 18 year old takes it and holds up a liquor store, he's an adult, he's responsible, not you.
As for entitlement programs... I feel it is the duty and responsibility for any society to help take care of its less fortunate members. No, that doesn't mean people should be able to sit on the ass their entire life collecting checks, but it does mean that if someone, say, is laid off, they should be able to get enough help to get by for a while while they look for new work, or assistance in retraining their skillset if necessary. Also, there MUST be some sort of safety net for the disabled and elderly. You have, say, a 65 year old man, worked as a janitor all his life, so never could save up much money, no kids, who's small amount of savings are wiped out in an unsuccessful fight to try and save his wife's life from cancer. He's now basically broke and too old to work. You going to condemn him to living under a freeway bridge & starving? What would you have him do?
The unfortunate fact with our economy (and this is getting worse) is that vast numbers of people live paycheck to paycheck, barely making enough to scrape by, leaving nothing left over to save away for retirement. Maybe they're just not that bright, never got any skilled training for a trade or professional career, who knows. Therefore, unless we want a huge and growing number of elderly freezing to death or starving to death, there must be a safety net for them.
Likewise, I think we need a system of universal health care, such that people who actually have serious issues can go in and get seen and not have it screw them over financially for the rest of their life. I have a personal stake in this one, actually. I was within a couple days of having my left leg start going gangrenous because I was uninsured, because I'd been laid off and couldn't afford insurance payments, and thus didn't go in to a doctor. Turned out I had a massive staph infection, and I literally spent > 1 week in the hospital hooked to IVs with the one of the most potent antibiotics in existance before they got it under control. (Trust me, seeing your entire leg half again as big as normal, and literally oozing pus from everywhere is not at all fun. Had to give me morphine, the pain was so bad.) I lucked into a program for the uninsured that covered most of my costs, but it still ran me several thousand dollars I just didn't have, and am STILL paying it back, slowly, but not fast enough to keep my credit rating from getting screwed. (I'm living on student loans & financial aid, so rather limited funds right now).
If we'd had universal health care, I would've gone in much much earlier, would've required little to no hospital time, and I wouldn't have that bill hanging over my head. I'm just one example, there's numerous others where it'd cost society less to have health care for everyone in place, as preventive medicine is WAY cheaper than the alternative.
BTW, lets I be accused of not putting my money where my mouth is: yes, I would happily have seen my taxes rise when I was working if it meant seeing all that enacted. Once I'm back in the industry again, and making the kind of money I used to, I'd once again be happy to do so again, were it an option.
-Arlos
