[mburbank]

I guess I'm more of a socialist than I am any other strict political philosiphy, but socilaism isn't really descriptive of my stance.

I guess I'm for representative democracy, but of the truly 'one persoon, one vote' school of thought as opposed to the 'one dollar, one vote' school.

I think society's band together and form governments to protect themselves from our individual and collective worst instincts. I think we should be compelled to take care of each other as best we can because I think we all may need caring for at one time or another and individually it's just too easy to think someone who's hurting has it coming. I think there should be regulation of business because even with it you get Ken Lay and without it you get Bopal.

I also believe in a rigid, respected, reveared series of checks and balances and division of power amongst branches of government. I complain a great deal about America, but that's because as a citizen I feel it's not only my right but my duty to participate on our democracy. I critcize my own country more than other becuase I have a vote here. But... I think in our brief history we've done better at achieving balance between government and citzenship than most political entities in history. That doesn't mean we've done well, just less lousy. Civilization is hard.

Bottom line? I think it's wrong for some people to have so much more than anyone needs and some people have so very little. I don't care who they are or what they've done and I don't see how you can take pleasure in a huge mansion and fleet of cars when human beings are living on the street. I think government and the rule of law, flawed as they are, are humanities greatest creations. I think without them we'd be beating each other to death with the leg bones of those among us we'd already eaten.