Thursday, May 11, 2006

Liberal Litmus Test

Jane Galt joins Dan Drezner in taking Atrios' liberal litmus test. When I first read this list (paraphrased here by Kevin Drum), I was opposed to most of the items immediately but was most blown away by the triviality of most of the items, they were basically feel good items for liberals with no real effects. So here goes my feelings on the items:

Undo the bankruptcy bill - No, it does help creditors and I don't see it as a huge impediment to those who really need to file for bankruptcy.
Repeal the estate tax repeal - No, basically inconsequential and I can't think of a reason why the government would feel entitled to this money, it's already been taxed once.
Increase the minimum wage and index it to the CPI - No, doesn't have the intended effects and will worsen recessions
Universal health care - Never in a million years
Increase CAFE standards - Market will increase MPG in autos
Pro-reproductive rights, getting rid of abstinence-only education, improving education about and access to contraception including the morning after pill, and supporting choice. On the last one there's probably some disagreement around the edges (parental notification, for example), but otherwise. - Kind of a broad topic, but, I wouldn't limit access to contraception, wouldn't want the government involved in sexual education in any case, and can support 'pro-reproductive rights', so NO.
Simplify and increase the progressivity of the tax code - Simplify yes, but progressivity would not be a deciding factor, flat tax is the way to go.
Kill faith-based funding. Certainly kill federal funding of anything that engages in religious discrimination. - I'd be all for getting rid of a lot of funding, so yes.
Reduce corporate giveaways. - Pretty generic, but, any subsidies and tariffs should be looked at and probably eliminated so Yes.
Have Medicare run the Medicare drug plan - Get rid of Medicare and the Medicare drug plan, No.
Force companies to stop underfunding their pensions. Change corporate bankruptcy law to put workers and retirees at the head of the line with respect to their pensions. - Worst idea ever!
Leave the states alone on issues like medical marijuana. Generally move towards "more decriminalization" of drugs, though the details complicated there too. - Yes, legalize, tax and regulate.
Paper ballots - Inconsequential, Luddite and No
Improve access to daycare and other pro-family policies. Obviously details matter. - No, no government intervention needed.
Raise the cap on wages covered by FICA taxes. - Only if that money is used to fund a private account system, otherwise no.
Marriage rights for all, which includes "gay marriage" and quicker transition to citizenship for the foreign spouses of citizens. - I'll go with a yes, but overall pretty inconsequential.

So I have 11 No's on 16 questions. I am decidedly not a liberal in Atrios' eyes. However, I received a questionnaire from Chairman Ken Mehlman of the Republican Party. I disagreed with much of the questions on that questionnaire, so I'm probably not a Republican (at least in good standing). I sure do wish there was a viable 3rd party.

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