Calculate Your Candidate Based on the Issues —

This is fun! Just score each issue, add up your score, and see who's your man . . . or woman! It is important, really important I feel, to not only do our civic duty and responsibly research who matches up to our particular preferences, but to make sure and vote. As Thomas Jefferson once said, "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." And even more importantly, when the votes are counted and our nnew president takes office about a year from now, we should all stand behind him/her and trust that their interests lie in the best interests of our country . . . and give them a chance. Not that we shouldn't continue to work toward our own ideals, but if we hold tight to them and only fight the other side, nothing will get done, and we can no longer afford that! The middle way, or compromise, is a sure sign of a mature electorate. Whatever the policies, if we, as united citizens get behind them as we have done for more than 200 years, we will be okay. We must have confidence in the basic goodness, truthfulness, and fai ess of our leaders. Without that basic trust, we will eventually be left with nothing but anarchy. DISCLAIMER! This is only a fun exercise and not in any way accurate - only my ideas about where some candidates might stand on the issues. Therefore, other than an interesting, thought provoking article, please don't use it to actually choose your woman (or man)! nnGrade each issue from 1 to 5 nn(1= strongly agree, 2= agree, 3=neutral, 4=disagree, 5= strongly disagree). 1. Civil unions should be illegal. 2. Private health care only, no government intervention. 3. A strong economy comes before the environment. 4. I believe in privatizing education. 5. I agree with capital punishment. 6. I am right to life. 7. No restrictions on guns. 8. Civil liberties are less important than security. 9. All illegal aliens should be arrested and returned to their own country. 10. We should remain in Iraq indefinitely. 11. Marijuana convictions and sentencing should be severe. 12. Social security must be changed into private investment as soon as possible. 13. The wealthy create jobs, and should be taxed less. 14. Prayer in schools is okay. 15. The mortgage mess was caused by home owners who didn't inform themselves. nnnNow add up your score and meet your candidate! 70-75 - Dennis Kucinich 65-70 - John Edwards 60-65 - Hillary Clinton 55-60 - Barack Obama 50-55 - Chris Dodd 45-50 - Bill Richardson 40-45 - Ron Paul 35-40 - Mitt Romney 30-35 - Rudy Giuliani 25-30 - John McCain 20-25 - Mike Huckabee 15-20 - Fred Thomson n