Thanks for your comments. My response (to both parts):
I don't think software patents are a categorically bad idea. I'd have to see them handled properly before I can form an opinion on them. As they tend to exist now, I hate them. (I was even boycotting Amazon for awhile because of the absurd 1-click patent.)
Your thing on marriages is exactly what I meant. The government has no business getting involved in marriages at all.
With respect to campaign finance: That's a very good point. The whole idea of lobbying grates at me, but it does serve a purpose, you're right. What do you think should be done to fix this? As for the multi-party idea, that would tend to evolve naturally from a bigger House and voting reform, so maybe campaign finance reform can only come after those are fixed?
The purpose of this entry, for me, was to focus on issues that aren't focused on enough in the press and by the candidates. Therefore, abortion doesn't qualify. Though, to be honest, I'm not a big fan of how abortions work in this country anyway. (See the link in section 9 above to a previous post of mine for a hint on why.)
I knew I forgot something, though. The environment, you're right. That's a huge one. I should've put it in there instead of the homophobia/marriage/whatever thing. As for your other issues, yes, I agree that they're all important to varying degrees, but they tend to get roughly the appropriate amount of attention. And I care about most of them less than the ones I talked about, anyway.
Re: A Rather Long Comment, Part 2
I don't think software patents are a categorically bad idea. I'd have to see them handled properly before I can form an opinion on them. As they tend to exist now, I hate them. (I was even boycotting Amazon for awhile because of the absurd 1-click patent.)
Your thing on marriages is exactly what I meant. The government has no business getting involved in marriages at all.
With respect to campaign finance: That's a very good point. The whole idea of lobbying grates at me, but it does serve a purpose, you're right. What do you think should be done to fix this? As for the multi-party idea, that would tend to evolve naturally from a bigger House and voting reform, so maybe campaign finance reform can only come after those are fixed?
The purpose of this entry, for me, was to focus on issues that aren't focused on enough in the press and by the candidates. Therefore, abortion doesn't qualify. Though, to be honest, I'm not a big fan of how abortions work in this country anyway. (See the link in section 9 above to a previous post of mine for a hint on why.)
I knew I forgot something, though. The environment, you're right. That's a huge one. I should've put it in there instead of the homophobia/marriage/whatever thing. As for your other issues, yes, I agree that they're all important to varying degrees, but they tend to get roughly the appropriate amount of attention. And I care about most of them less than the ones I talked about, anyway.