Dragon Scorpion

I'm 32 years old. Grew up and live in a small town in the midwest. Socially I'd probably best be defined as libertarian. I want government to be secular, and out of our personal lives. I don't believe government should be peddling in morals, like censoring what sort of material is appropriate for public consumption and what isn't. I oppose efforts to "nudge" people into doing what is deemed "best" for them, like levying high taxes on tobacco, alcohol, "junk food". I oppose most anti-abortion legislation, though personally I have ethical qualms about the procedure and would like to see it rare but safe. I support same-sex marriage. And while some would call this "liberal", I see it as a basic civil liberties issue.

Fiscally, I consider myself moderate; elements of both liberalism and conservatism. I oppose so-called "free trade" and promote fair trade instead. I believe in protecting American jobs, both from illegal immigration and from outsourcing. I believe government has a role and duty to ensure the safety and welfare of its people, through sensible regulation, worker's rights (including living wages, right to collective bargaining), basic services, and reasonable safety nets. Conservatively, I also believe in balanced budgets and pay-as-you-go government.