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Capital punishment - I used to to favor it in the belief that it was a deterrent to crime. I still believe this, but feel that it can't be justified because of the proven danger of mistakenly putting to death innocents.
Homosexual rights - I am now in favor of equal legal rights for homosexual unions - gay marriage, however, is something that should be left up to the religious institutions.
Affirmative action - In my younger days I was in favor, now I would say that any such program should be based on class and not race, if retained at all.
Foreign policy - I used to be in favor of an interventionist agenda, now I feel that actions like our current wars in the middle east hurt more than help (that's not to say they do not have benefits). Frankly, if we were to go to war with any country that infringes on human rights, we would be in perpetual war for our lifetimes and beyond, something I cannot advocate.
Welfare - I used to be in favor of a strong social safety net. Now I feel that the abuses of such a system are such that welfare perpetuates poverty. I would say keep limited unemployment benefits (so those laid off are not without a place to turn) but the current system needs to be scaled back. Perhaps we could introduce tax incentives for individuals to donate to private charities.
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The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.
-- Albert Schweitzer
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