When examining my own political views on national, state and local issues, I find that as a pragmatist, I'm in a minority.
The polarization of views along conservative or liberal lines has become overwhelming.
There's little room for someone who is strongly conservative about fiscal matters and personal protections but liberal regarding social issues.
I've been writing a weekly column in Wisconsin since 1992. I've taken on all topics. People often stereotype writers by topic, yet my views are not linear with party politics, so people get confused.
I've been asked, "Are you a Democrat or a Republican?"
The examples about my views, which I will share now, will eventually make no one happy. Sorry. Topic by topic, readers will either agree or disagree.
I support a woman's right to choose as outlined in the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade.
The reason for this is due to political hypocrisy. Those who wish to change the law favor politics that does not support government programs for single parents.
Medical technology has advanced to the point where no responsible adult should get pregnant unless they wish. Those who take advantage of services to terminate pregnancies have behaved using poor judgment.
Forcing these same people to carry a pregnancy to term, and then allowing them to parent, is a recipe for disaster. Pro-active programs that allow mothers to give up babies for adoption at birth fail to prevent horrible parenting situations. Children born into these situations end up traumatized, and their ability to function productively in society as adults is vastly diminished.
Although I support a woman's right to choose, I'm in favor of tort reform regarding the death penalty, so that it can be imposed in a speedy manner.
Recent technological and medical advances have provided ways to lock convictions in capital crimes. I support investigative efforts to exonerate anyone who may have falsely been convicted. Yet, I believe those who commit capital crimes should face the prospect of the death penalty. I believe, with proper legal reform, it should be reinstated in Wisconsin.
America's War on Drugs, specifically laws banning marijuana, have been a failure for 50 years. The time has come to follow states that have created a path to legalization and taxation of marijuana. Federal law prohibiting this should be changed.
Wisconsin is missing out on millions of dollars in tax revenue annually by keeping marijuana illegal. More importantly, keeping marijuana illegal allows drug money to continue funding cartels that act with impunity in northern Mexico. Illegal marijuana supports the production of much more dangerous drugs, illegal gun running, human trafficking and a host of other plagues on society.
Each year polls show the majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana in some fashion. This is a legislative issue and politicians fail to hear the American public on it repeatedly.
I believe in the Second Amendment to the Constitution and that a citizen's right to bear arms should not be infringed. I do not think this should be limited to hunting weapons. I believe citizens have the right to protect themselves, those they love and their property. Legal gun ownership is not a problem. Illegal ownership and possession of guns is a problem.
People who want to illegally bear arms will always be able to do so. Just like people who want to use marijuana will always be able to get their bag of weed.
There are so many other beliefs I have that, when combined, don't allow people to pin me down on one polar cap or the other ...
I believe in a graduated flat tax void from loopholes; maintaining a strong national defense; balanced budgets; establishing amnesty programs for illegal immigrants before any walls, figuratively or real, are erected; equal rights for all; the repeal of unfair trade pacts such as NAFTA; reform of gerrymandered political districts; term limits for those serving in Congress and the state Legislature; the repeal of any legislation that prevents public workers from collective bargaining...
I believe in a long list of things to which no other person would systematically agree. Another thing I strongly believe in is the right to freedom of speech, so anyone can express their beliefs.
- Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
The polarization of views along conservative or liberal lines has become overwhelming.
There's little room for someone who is strongly conservative about fiscal matters and personal protections but liberal regarding social issues.
I've been writing a weekly column in Wisconsin since 1992. I've taken on all topics. People often stereotype writers by topic, yet my views are not linear with party politics, so people get confused.
I've been asked, "Are you a Democrat or a Republican?"
The examples about my views, which I will share now, will eventually make no one happy. Sorry. Topic by topic, readers will either agree or disagree.
I support a woman's right to choose as outlined in the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade.
The reason for this is due to political hypocrisy. Those who wish to change the law favor politics that does not support government programs for single parents.
Medical technology has advanced to the point where no responsible adult should get pregnant unless they wish. Those who take advantage of services to terminate pregnancies have behaved using poor judgment.
Forcing these same people to carry a pregnancy to term, and then allowing them to parent, is a recipe for disaster. Pro-active programs that allow mothers to give up babies for adoption at birth fail to prevent horrible parenting situations. Children born into these situations end up traumatized, and their ability to function productively in society as adults is vastly diminished.
Although I support a woman's right to choose, I'm in favor of tort reform regarding the death penalty, so that it can be imposed in a speedy manner.
Recent technological and medical advances have provided ways to lock convictions in capital crimes. I support investigative efforts to exonerate anyone who may have falsely been convicted. Yet, I believe those who commit capital crimes should face the prospect of the death penalty. I believe, with proper legal reform, it should be reinstated in Wisconsin.
America's War on Drugs, specifically laws banning marijuana, have been a failure for 50 years. The time has come to follow states that have created a path to legalization and taxation of marijuana. Federal law prohibiting this should be changed.
Wisconsin is missing out on millions of dollars in tax revenue annually by keeping marijuana illegal. More importantly, keeping marijuana illegal allows drug money to continue funding cartels that act with impunity in northern Mexico. Illegal marijuana supports the production of much more dangerous drugs, illegal gun running, human trafficking and a host of other plagues on society.
Each year polls show the majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana in some fashion. This is a legislative issue and politicians fail to hear the American public on it repeatedly.
I believe in the Second Amendment to the Constitution and that a citizen's right to bear arms should not be infringed. I do not think this should be limited to hunting weapons. I believe citizens have the right to protect themselves, those they love and their property. Legal gun ownership is not a problem. Illegal ownership and possession of guns is a problem.
People who want to illegally bear arms will always be able to do so. Just like people who want to use marijuana will always be able to get their bag of weed.
There are so many other beliefs I have that, when combined, don't allow people to pin me down on one polar cap or the other ...
I believe in a graduated flat tax void from loopholes; maintaining a strong national defense; balanced budgets; establishing amnesty programs for illegal immigrants before any walls, figuratively or real, are erected; equal rights for all; the repeal of unfair trade pacts such as NAFTA; reform of gerrymandered political districts; term limits for those serving in Congress and the state Legislature; the repeal of any legislation that prevents public workers from collective bargaining...
I believe in a long list of things to which no other person would systematically agree. Another thing I strongly believe in is the right to freedom of speech, so anyone can express their beliefs.
- Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
