My Position

For any who may be wondering, I am a libertarian, not to be confused with a Libertarian. Depending on whose survey I fill out, I may be classed as conservative, or as libertarian/capitalist. As to conservatism, since I believe in strict interpretation of the Constitution, and am opposed to government doing any more than providing essential services, I am arguably more conservative than people who call themselves conservative.

While I am appalled by the moral lapse that has been overtaking much of the U.S. population, I am opposed to any effort by the government to legislate morals. That's not the job of government, and besides: a) our elected representatives have too often demonstrated a serious lack of morals, so should not be trying to dictate, and b) the government doesn't do anything particularly well, so best they stay out of it.

On marriage, though I oppose the notion of gay marriage, I believe that the real problem is that the government is in the business of performing marriages at all. Were they not pronouncing people man and wife, there would be no question as to whether they could declare a marriage between two people of the same sex. And further, were they not in the business of marrying people, they might be less in the business of divorcing them. Better that all this should be handled by churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.

On abortion, I am troubled and conflicted. On the one hand, I consider that abortion is wrong (but would provide for abortions in cases of incest and rape), but on the other hand, this is another case where it is not clear that the Federal Government has any status in the matter. States, on the other hand, would seem empowered by the Constitution to legislate such things, and more power to them. People can elect to move from a state whose laws they find unacceptable to one with laws they like. Let the market decide.

On immigration, I have no doubts, and am resolute. Immigration is a legal process, hence the phrase illegal immigrant is an oxymoron. Illegal aliens should be rounded up and deported, post haste. My wife and step-daughter are immigrants to this country, and we have gone through numerous hells with the procedures of INS/DHS to ensure that they remain legal. To see illegal aliens allowed to remain here, and worse, to see them receive services, gratis, that are available neither to citizens nor to immigrants, is infuriating.

Now, here is a point that may be surprising to some: I believe that the U.S. should have a national language: English. And I believe that all lessons in public schools (so long as those hell-holes continue to exist -- but that's another entry) must be in English. Points of interest:

• English is the language of commerce in the U.S.
• English is the language of power in the U.S.
• Lack of English skills limits societal mobility
• Lack of English skills limits many to menial labor

Now, given those realities, can anyone argue that ESL is a boon to immigrants? Isn't it closer to being a racist act to support teaching (other than transitional) classes in the U.S. in any language other than English?