[Nox]

Since we've got the political section up right now, I thought maybe it would be a good time to air out some not-so-popular opinions that we otherwise wouldn't really have a chance to say. I don't think it will get nasty, so be bold with it (just don't be impolite).

My unpopular opinions:

- If more kids were sent to boarding/boot camp schools, we would have less rowdy children committing public offenses. Instead of detention, public humiliation would be a nice deterrent, or even some day labor. (i.e. being forced to mow the school lawn with a butter knife).

- I think it would be a marvelous idea make any child born in the United States an illegal alien if both his/her parents are also illegal aliens. When the child is born, they can all be deported as a family unit. More expensive, yes, but it sends a very clear message.

- I think it would be rather interesting to have a real tri-cameral house instead of the bicameral system we've got now. I wanna see something else besides the donk-lephant... just for kicks. It worked in Minnesota for a time, I wanna see if the rest of the country is not afraid to be as *wacky*.

- Stirrup pants and fanny packs should seriously be made illegal for everyday wear, not only are they potentially dangerous for catching on to things, it encourages slovenliness, and it should be abolished (hey, China made it illegal to wear pajamas on the street, it's not impossible).

- Very unrealistic, but wouldn't it be an interesting theoretical concept if presidential elections were "blind"? I mean that you couldn't see the candidate's face, you could only see what they wrote about specific issues. You wouldn't know anything about their gender or ethnicity.



Now it's your turn. What are your unpopular thoughts?

[Beyonce Welch]

The first post in this thread is a joke, is it not ? We don't need anymore fascism and hate in this country !

[Carolyn]

I would like to see American women have longer maternity leave.
I don't know what the current law is in the US - six weeks? or is each state different?
Canadian women can have up to 1 year off before returning to work.

[beaglette]

Originally Posted by Carolyn

I would like to see American women have longer maternity leave.
I don't know what the current law is in the US - six weeks? or is each state different?
Canadian women can have up to 1 year off before returning to work.

Provided you've been considered a full-time employee, for a company that has 50 or more employees, for the 12 months preceeding your desired leave, you can have 12 weeks unpaid leave for maternity/adoption/taking care of sick family/personal sickness/hospitalizations. Some companies allow people to use their vacation time and sick leave so that they can get paid for a portion of their 12 weeks leave. It's called Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). They must hold your job or a job similar to yours, open for you during the 12 weeks leave. The 12 weeks can be used consecutively or can be used throughout the year for one of the above listed reasons.

Still not enough time in my opinion-- many EU countries give 2 years off and some *still* pay moms (Norway)-- dad's also get 6 weeks paid time off in Norway!

Warmly,

beaglette

[Manda]

Uhhh, you don't want to know mine, it would cause some serious heat around here! Lets just say for starters I like your illegal alien one

[beaglette]

I'm not so sure that this is an "unpopular" opinion but, I don't think Spanish should be recognized as an official language of the US. Furthermore, I don't think that I should have to press "1" for English. I think English should be the sole choice, wherever I travel within the US.

If you come to my country, you should speak my language. No where else in the entire world can a group of people come into a country and *demand* that the official language be expanded to include the one they wish to use. Conversational English should be mandatory in order to become a US citizen (for those who are of age, of course-- children wouldn't be included in this group.)

Secondly, I also believe that Americans should be given FIRST opportunity to achieve the "American Dream" as opposed to those who have immigrated here (with the exception of those who have immigrated due to adoption by an American family). Immigrated minorities should not be given special grants to start a business, to become independently wealthy, to achieve the "American Dream", to go to college, etc. What about Americans?

Affirmative Action should be abolished as it does *nothing* to benefit minorities but, moreover sets them up for even increased failure.

Race should not be an issue to determine who gets a job, who gets into a college/graduate school, etc. There should be one standard and if one meets that standard, regardless of the color of his/her skin, one should be allowed to do whatever it is that standard is set up for (getting a job, getting into law school, etc.)

Please don't think for one moment I am a racist. My oldest two children are adopted and are not biologically related to me. My oldest daughter belongs to a minority group-- she is Korean. My son is "caucasian" but he is Ukrainian and anyone from or familiar with the Eastern Bloc countries can tell that he is "not from America" (although most Americans who aren't familar with the "Eastern Bloc look" say he looks just like my husband!)


Abortion, under any circumstance, should be abolished.

I believe that *all* child molesters should be put to death and do not deserve a trial. The method of death and execution of such should be determined by the victim or the victim's family and should be executed swiftly. Child molesters are virtually completely and totally unable to be rehabilitated, EVER. I believe child abusers should be put through what they subject their victims to. If death ensues, so be it.

I believe that we should have the freedom to choose which milk, dairy and nuts we wish to consume. If one wishes to buy pasteurized, homogenized milk, one is able to do that. By the same token, if I wish to consume unpasteurized, non-homogenized (aka "raw milk"), raw dairy (sheep milk, goat milk, raw cheese, yogurt, kefir, etc.) I should be able to *readily* do so without it being illegal. It should be freely available in the grocery. If I want to drink it straight from the udder, I should be able to do so without having to own a "share of the cow". (And yes, in order to get our raw milk, we bought shares of cows and a corporation, on the basis of a technicality!)

I'm sure some of my opinions are hugely unpopular. But they are mine, I stand by them and fully embrace them

Warmly,

beaglette

[Nox]

Manda,

Yes, I am very interested in seeing some unpopular opinions. Everybody has some, it is only fools who think otherwise. Some people are more open to discussing them, and I don't think you should be made to feel bad for thinking your own thoughts.

Beaglette,

There ain't no shame in your game. You don't need a disclaimer, let it out. I actually like this:

If you come to my country, you should speak my language. No where else in the entire world can a group of people come into a country and *demand* that the official language be expanded to include the one they wish to use.

YES! I cannot tell you how incensed I got when I walked into a local Goodwill to buy some childrens' items to donate to the local shelter, and ALL the signs were in Spanish. I, an English-speaking American, had to go and ask a sales associate where to find these things, while Spanish speakers had it all laid out for them.

There is nothing wrong with retaining your native language. It is a good thing. But then I consistently run into people who have been here in the USA for many years and insist upon displaying signs in their native language on public works and venues, and they could get along with English just fine. Anyone ever been to Miami? Then you probably know what I'm talking about.

[beaglette]

Originally Posted by Nox

There is nothing wrong with retaining your native language. It is a good thing. But then I consistently run into people who have been here in the USA for many years and insist upon displaying signs in their native language on public works and venues, and they could get along with English just fine. Anyone ever been to Miami? Then you probably know what I'm talking about.

Or Phoenix. We moved from Phoenix in 2006. I've lived everywhere and I have never been so lost and out of my element within my OWN country as I was in Phoenix due to language.

I loved Phoenix. I just wanted to be able to communicate with people in the language of my native country. That's far too much to ask, I suppose!

And Nox, I find it funny that people get so offended when one expresses an opinion contrary to "mainstream". It's as if their opinion is superior to another's because they tow the party line.

I also find it funny when others think people should be politically correct and say "this is just my opinion". Well duhh! Whose opinion am I going to be speaking other than my own?? YOURS???!!??!!!??!!!??? [I do admit I do it on the net simply to appease the non-thinking PC people and stop a flame war before it starts! But I am *not* an appeaser, by nature. I am *very* honest and forthright and don't beat around the bush!]

Warmly,

beaglette

[MissMudPie]

Not sure how unpopular this is, but...
I think that college students who are given federal grants should have to pay back every cent of what they were given if they drop out of school.... I know there are some flaws to this. There is a possibility that they could return to school in the future, but it isn't likely. I know too many people who were given Pell grants. They went to class as much as they had to in order to get that check and pocketed any extra money. Then they dropped out. Meanwhile I worked to pay for my own college and lived with my parents because I didn't qualify for anything but loans. Now I have $25,000 in loans to pay back, and I graduated early with a 3.5.

[emily_3383]

Originally Posted by MissMudPie

Not sure how unpopular this is, but...
I think that college students who are given federal grants should have to pay back every cent of what they were given if they drop out of school.... I know there are some flaws to this. There is a possibility that they could return to school in the future, but it isn't likely. I know too many people who were given Pell grants. They went to class as much as they had to in order to get that check and pocketed any extra money. Then they dropped out. Meanwhile I worked to pay for my own college and lived with my parents because I didn't qualify for anything but loans. Now I have $25,000 in loans to pay back, and I graduated early with a 3.5.

Thats really interesting. Well i was given financial aid but I didnt drop out of class but i know alot of people just go to school, barely pass their classes just to get the check. Pretty silly! The whole financial aid system is a mess anyway.

[Lia]

Originally Posted by beaglette

I'm not so sure that this is an "unpopular" opinion but, I don't think Spanish should be recognized as an official language of the US. Furthermore, I don't think that I should have to press "1" for English. I think English should be the sole choice, wherever I travel within the US.

If you come to my country, you should speak my language. No where else in the entire world can a group of people come into a country and *demand* that the official language be expanded to include the one they wish to use. Conversational English should be mandatory in order to become a US citizen (for those who are of age, of course-- children wouldn't be included in this group.)

Secondly, I also believe that Americans should be given FIRST opportunity to achieve the "American Dream" as opposed to those who have immigrated here (with the exception of those who have immigrated due to adoption by an American family). Immigrated minorities should not be given special grants to start a business, to become independently wealthy, to achieve the "American Dream", to go to college, etc. What about Americans?

Affirmative Action should be abolished as it does *nothing* to benefit minorities but, moreover sets them up for even increased failure.

Race should not be an issue to determine who gets a job, who gets into a college/graduate school, etc. There should be one standard and if one meets that standard, regardless of the color of his/her skin, one should be allowed to do whatever it is that standard is set up for (getting a job, getting into law school, etc.)

Please don't think for one moment I am a racist. My oldest two children are adopted and are not biologically related to me. My oldest daughter belongs to a minority group-- she is Korean. My son is "caucasian" but he is Ukrainian and anyone from or familiar with the Eastern Bloc countries can tell that he is "not from America" (although most Americans who aren't familar with the "Eastern Bloc look" say he looks just like my husband!)


Abortion, under any circumstance, should be abolished.

I believe that *all* child molesters should be put to death and do not deserve a trial. The method of death and execution of such should be determined by the victim or the victim's family and should be executed swiftly. Child molesters are virtually completely and totally unable to be rehabilitated, EVER. I believe child abusers should be put through what they subject their victims to. If death ensues, so be it.

I believe that we should have the freedom to choose which milk, dairy and nuts we wish to consume. If one wishes to buy pasteurized, homogenized milk, one is able to do that. By the same token, if I wish to consume unpasteurized, non-homogenized (aka "raw milk"), raw dairy (sheep milk, goat milk, raw cheese, yogurt, kefir, etc.) I should be able to *readily* do so without it being illegal. It should be freely available in the grocery. If I want to drink it straight from the udder, I should be able to do so without having to own a "share of the cow". (And yes, in order to get our raw milk, we bought shares of cows and a corporation, on the basis of a technicality!)

I'm sure some of my opinions are hugely unpopular. But they are mine, I stand by them and fully embrace them

Warmly,

beaglette

I don't think you should banish one thing to favor the another. The correct thing to do is teach both things and let the family or the person, not the school decide what to believe.

If you abolish the theory of evolution, you're segregating those who doesn't have a religion (or choose one that doesn't follow the Christian belief) - and that's prejudice - because you're dismissing another point of view . As well as the people that only teach the theory of evolution and dismiss the Christian beliefs as being silly. To me it's double standarts to allow only Christian beliefs, without thinking that there's might be other people who doesn't share the same religion, and complain if a school only allows teaching the Darwin theory.

Almost every culture and every religion has its own beliefs on how everything started.

About the other things, i won't get into the discussion because it's not my field. But as a scientist i gotta talk about that. I firmly believe that you shouldn't favor one thing on top of the other - and that you CAN't force your opinion on another person - either if it's a 'scientific' thing, like the Darwin theory or the christian belief, or any other belief.

[KellyB]

- If more kids were sent to boarding/boot camp schools, we would have less rowdy children committing public offenses. Instead of detention, public humiliation would be a nice deterrent, or even some day labor. (i.e. being forced to mow the school lawn with a butter knife). What we need is more parents taking responsibility for their children instead of pawning them off on someone else to take care. What we need is involved parental role models not retired military personnel raising our kids. What we need are parents that stop blaming society for the way their children turn out and to admit that they are too busy "finding themselves" or "climbing the corporate ladder" to properly raise kids.

- Stirrup pants and fanny packs should seriously be made illegal for everyday wear, not only are they potentially dangerous for catching on to things, it encourages slovenliness, and it should be abolished (hey, China made it illegal to wear pajamas on the street, it's not impossible). This is not really a political statement and while true, really should not be in a 2008 Presidential Race Forum. As really with most of the thread. I have no problem with everyone stating their opinions but the title of the thread is 2008 Presidential Race Forum. This might be more appropriate in general chit/chat.

- Very unrealistic, but wouldn't it be an interesting theoretical concept if presidential elections were "blind"? I mean that you couldn't see the candidate's face, you could only see what they wrote about specific issues. You wouldn't know anything about their gender or ethnicity. In a perfect world

[beaglette]

Originally Posted by Lia

I don't think you should banish one thing to favor the another. The correct thing to do is teach both things and let the family or the person, not the school decide what to believe.

If you abolish the theory of evolution, you're segregating those who doesn't have a religion (or choose one that doesn't follow the Christian belief) - and that's prejudice - because you're dismissing another point of view . As well as the people that only teach the theory of evolution and dismiss the Christian beliefs as being silly. To me it's double standarts to allow only Christian be