2008 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector Candidate Positions Alan Augustson - Green Party Mr. Auguston wrote on June 11, 2007, "I am 43 years old." "I consider myself a scientist by trade." and that he is "currently married to second spouse." Responses and comments were supplied directly by the candidate. On 6/30/2007 Mr. Augustson announced that "I will cease to actively pursue the 2008 Green Party nomination for President". However, "I may re-visit the possibility of a Presidential bid at some later time. For now, I am turning my attention to the pursuit of a different target: the Fifth Congressional District of Illinois".

IRAQ WAR A²: Would have opposed Bush’s original request to use military force against Iraq. Priority: HIGH Comment: I distrusted the motives and evidence for the invasion from the very beginning.

LEAVING IRAQ A²: Would support a deadline for withdrawal in Iraq. Priority: HIGH Comment: As near to 'immediate' as possible.

BALANCING CIVIL LIBERTIES & SECURITY A²: Would lean toward protecting civil liberties even though it might risk our security. Priority: HIGH Comment: We are no safer, though considerably less free, than on 'September Tenth'.

SOCIAL SECURITY A²: Would work to make it solvent, possibly raising the earnings ceiling and/or the retirement age, etc. Priority: HIGH Comment: I would also protect the Social Security Trust Fund from further pillaging by other programs.

EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH Would support federal expansion of embryonic stem cell research. Priority: LOW Comment: n/a

SCHOOL CHOICE A²: Would oppose publicly funded "voucher" programs that allows students to choose to attend any of various participating private and public schools. Priority: LOW Comment: Publicly-funded vouchers would illegally give tax money to schools that practice religious indoctrination.

GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES A²: Would support both marriage and civil unions for same sex couples. Priority: HIGH Comment: A same-sex marriage performed in any state, shall be recognized in all fifty states.

TRADE ISSUES A²: Would support fair trade policies. Priority: HIGH Comment: I would also support heavy tariffs on imports from countries with records of excessive environmental and human-rights abuses.

TAXES & GOVERMENT SERVICES A²: My ideal candidate would favor the "government should help people" positions of groups such as the Children's Defense Fund and the Alliance for Retired Americans. Priority: HIGH Comment: Government exists to do those things that people cannot do for themselves.

THE DEFICIT A²: Neither Priority: LOW Comment: n/a

BUSINESS & LABOR A²: Would favor the pro-labor positions of the AFL-CIO and similar groups. Priority: LOW Comment: Labor's position does not go far enough. I would support both tougher labor protection, and a closure of the ever-increasing gap between the highest- and lowest-paid workers.

ABORTION A²: Would support the pro-choice positions of organizations like NARAL. Priority: HIGH Comment: However, I would still encourage contraception, 'Plan-B' measures, and adoption choices.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT A²: Would oppose the death penalty. Priority: HIGH Comment: There may be some cases where capital punishment is appropriate, but the way in which we pursue and prosecute them now is disproportionately biased toward the killing of the poor and minorities.

MARIJUANA laws A²: Would support a general decriminalization of marijuana. Priority: LOW Comment: n/a

GUN CONTROL A²: Neither Priority: LOW Comment: Other countries, such as Canada and the UK, have lots of privately-owned firearms. Interestingly, they generally do not use them on each other. Clearly, the problem is our society of aggression and violence.

MINIMUM WAGE A²: Would have a history of supporting increases in the minimum wage. Priority: HIGH Comment: I also intend to propose a Federal _MAXIMUM_ Wage.

HEALTH CARE A²: Would favor a government-provided, universal health care program for Americans. Priority: HIGH Comment: Universal Health Coverage is an inevitability. If we do not create it soon, the entire health system in America will suffer economic collapse.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS A²: Both the above. Priority: HIGH Comment: n/a

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES A²: Would favor positions of environmental groups like the League of Conservation Voters. Priority: HIGH Comment: LCV's positions do not go far enough. We have ten years to reduce GHG emissions by 80%, before a permanent climate catastrophe ensues.

LEGAL IMMIGRATION A²: Would favor a more open immigration policy, holding the opinion that foreign workers are a valuable and necessary addition to our labor pool. Priority: LOW Comment: n/a

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION A²: Would support temporary legalization (guest worker programs) for illegal aliens, but oppose permanent amnesty. Priority: LOW Comment: Permanent amnesty may give sweatshop owners and other illegal employers a 'green light' to abuse laborers.

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