I would have to say that the best terminology to describe my politics is "South Park" conservative. On fiscal issues, I believe in free-market economics and as little interference as possible. However, I also realize that there are times that it's necessary for government to step in, like in our current financial sector issues. Granted, the only reason they have to step in is because the government got involved in the first place. I am a free-trader, but I will admit I have reservations about trade agreements that actually favor third world countries over our own. Nevertheless, I realize also that trade is an economic fact and necessity, unless we all choose to live in an 18th century type economy.

I believe in Federalism. While some might call me somewhat libertarian, I am in no way of the Ron Paul mindset...so I don't like the term anymore.

On social issues, I would say I'm "mainstream conservative" but not what one would call a zealot, either. I support traditional families, and a basic core set of values. I am pro-life and support traditional marriage. While I feel our government should have a basic set of moral rules, I also realize we can't legislate morality. I am not opposed to truck stops selling Playboy, or TV shows like South Park. Thinks like "adult" movie stores, smoking, gambling...all these things are local issues to be handled on a state and local level. I believe that a moral society is important to the success of our Republic, but at the same time, I believe it's wrong to try and force values by using Big Government to do so.

I am a staunch supporter of the President when he's right, but not afraid to criticize when he is wrong. I have reservations about his domestic spending and immigration policies. However, we can't forget the many good things he has done, and think about what Gore or Kerry would have done!

In addition to being a FReeper, I enjoy music. I love 70s and 80s rock and metal. I like both "hair-metal" and "real" metal--(pre-Load) Metallica, Dokken, Slayer, Yngwie Malmsteen, Skid Row, Judas Priest, Stryper, Dio, old Ozzy (pre-1990), Sabbath, Stratovarius, Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Impelliteri, many others. Due to their right-wing leanings, I have a soft spot for Alice Cooper, and, of course The Nuge. I'm also a big Pantera fan (RIP Dimebag Darrell!) In other genres, I have my "guilty pleasures: Jefferson Starship in the late 70s/early 80s era, Meat Loaf, Pat Benatar (don't laugh), and Stone Temple Pilots. I like most 80s pop in general, and I also like classical when the mood strikes.

I'm also a bit of a movie buff as well. Again...I'm stuck in the '80s - love 80s movies.

I have left the mortgage origination business, FINALLY, and now work at a regionally large bank, in a non-mortgage position, that didn't get much into risky loans and has a decent balance sheet even today, for what it's worth. I have a bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Akron. Luckily, I made it through politically unscathed.

Looking ahead to the 2008 Presidential race...gotta vote for McCain. I can't allow someone like Obama at the helm...no way, no how.

Some political commentary...

I have made this point on FR - that modern-day conservatism, which is to say, conservatism over the last 8 or so years...has become "be pro-life and that's all you need" which results in, basically, pro-life socialists. This turns off the part of the Republican Party and the more libertarian part of the conservative movement that is more concerned about fiscal, economic, small-government, and, even defense issues.

Even most moderately conservative types don't OBJECT to social conservatism, but social conservatism ALONE isn't going to cut it for them, either. Many of them are in fact socially conservative too, but that's not enough for them. There are two main parts and without one, the other won't survive, either. They'll be fine with a social conservative as long as that person has fiscal, economic, and pro-American views also to their liking. The reverse is also true - that conservatives who focus on the social issues aren't hostile to the fiscal and small-government policies...as long as the social issues are acceptable.

Guys like Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee, and, unfortunately even President Bush to a degree, have come to think that as long as they're pro life and anti gay marriage, that it's OK to be a big spending Socialist, and it's not - that's NOT conservatism.

Before someone thinks I'm a pot-smoking libertarian, I'm not - I'm pro-life, against gay marriage, and an overall social conservative, but I'm also not what I call a "fire and brimstone SoCon," either. You can support basic traditional values without having to force it down the country's throat by Big Brother legislation...such as the online gambling ban...(yeah, I know it wasn't a BAN but it was a ban on the funding of the accounts...) which is one reason I think the GOP fell out of favor in 2006.

We can't reincarnate Ronald Reagan, but we can look at his basic approach to conservatism - have a background of basic, American-values social conservatism that's strong enough for evangelicals to accept but not so much as not to turn off the libertarian wing...a strong, patriotic pro-American stance, and a fiscal and economic platform that is low-tax and pro-business, but still shows respect for the "little guy" at the same time. As much as a certain segment of the conservative movement hates to hear this, you are NOT going to win on a platform of banning contraceptives, censoring the Internet, or even legislating things like whether or not you can buy a Playboy at a truck stop.

Unfortunately, this time around, we got McCain, and not Fred Thompson. Some days, I feel like giving up on politics...

Rockin' 80s Ping List:

Hoodlum91
CharlieOK1
ConservaTexan
The SISU kid
Terabitten
Gondring
baker_girl
RepoGirl
MoJo2001
annie laurie
Jersey Republican Biker Chick
Famishus
PaulaB
word_warrior_bob
MotleyGirl70
EX52D

SilvieWaldorfMD

I am also giving serious consideration to running for public office.