The Issues

The problem with many electoral contests is that a vast number of people, who actually vote, do so without any idea of the voting records, experience, or personal values of the candidates.  They only take the time to read the letter following the names on the ballot.  (R), (D), (L), or (I) don't reveal a lot about how your selection will turn out, just a vague description of how a party says they will vote.  (Obviously past actions and/or statements are not guarantees of future performance).

I favor a more rigorous test of candidates, one where they must define their beliefs, present it to the public, and stand by their words.  Can you imagine a country in which politicians must not only publicly claim their viewpoints on specific issues, but do so in a uniform manner that would allow voters to easily compare them?  After some research and thought, I have compiled a list of political issues germane to American politics, separated by topics.  If I have omitted anything, please feel free to leave it in the comments section.

International Issues
Foreign Policy
Homeland Security
War (Rules of Engagement)
War (Declaration)
Treaties
Trade
Immigration (Legal)
Energy
Environment (Worldwide)
Human Rights

Domestic Issues
Gun Control
Crime
Narcotics
Civil Rights
Jobs
Border Control
Environment (Local)
Constitutionality of Existing Laws

Economic Issues
Budget
Economy
Taxation
Social Programs
Welfare
Poverty
Infrastructure
Technology & Science

Social Issues
Education
Health Care
Abortion
Families and Marriage
Corporate Rights
Culture
Immigration (Illegal)

Each of these topics represent immense room for expansion, discussion, and articulation.  Some topics, such as Gay Rights, fall under other categories (Families and Marriage in this case) and will be covered in that discussion.  It is my hope for readers of this blog to keep issues in mind in the future and care about more than a few words on a bumper sticker when selecting politicians who use our own money to serve us.

I will do my best to analyze these as thoroughly as possible, and welcome feedback from my readers.  We are not all going to agree with one another so please keep discussions civil and respectful.