Manic Monday

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If you were determining who could immigrate here, would you let in those who you thought would contribute the most to our country or those in the most need of refuge?

I'd do background checks on everyone to make sure they weren't mass murderers, but I'd also listen to asylum pleas and take them into consideration. Basically, I have to be honest, I'd let anyone in. How the hell else would my ancestors have gotten here? They pretty much snuck in under cover of the dark, I think.

Would you vote for a political candidate who was honest, competent, and concurred with your position on most issues if you also knew she was an alcoholic who was promiscuous?

This is a red herring. I'd never vote for a candidate who was a 'practicing' junkie of any kind, whether their addiction was alcohol, wo/men, or illegal drugs. From my experience and understanding, it is simply not possible to be a practicing alcoholic, for example, and be honest or competent long-term.

Having said that, I base my decision more on someone's track record of where they have stood on issues important to me. I don't really care if Candidate Y habituates sex clubs or Wiccan rites (or whatever) if s/he's consistently voted for and spoken out for women's rights or against torture as an approved method of interrogation. If this person has shown the capability and understanding to tell the difference between personal behavior and public policy, I'm good with that.

Which is why I can't get past most of the Republican platform. I resent, and reject all attempts for anyone else to dictate what I can think/do/say about my life. Hey, if I want to attend gay rallies every weekend instead of playing golf...how is that hurting anyone? If my neighbor wants to hit "gentlemen's clubs" every weekend, why would this be something I should ding him for?

I don't feel like I have to LIKE a candidates personal choices; I feel that they are personal choices that are his/hers to make, as long as they don't impact the safety and security of the country or the people.

In other words, props to GWB for being faithful to his religious beliefs; I'm a Christian too. But don't try ramming your brand of Christianity--much of which I don't like--down my throat. I'm ok that he is a recovering alcoholic, but as someone recently said to me, you have to remember that alcohol kills brain cells and factor that into your evaluation. If Clinton wants to boink an intern and they are both ok with it (even though I'm pretty sure this is dangerous ground in terms of sexual harrassment at the workplace), hey--that's between Bill, Hillary and Monica. If I were either of those women I'd've cut off some of his necessary equipment, but it doesn't affect me. At all.

OK, I'm down off the soapbox now...