ADDED 9/12/2009: I have realized that my views on politics are still much too primitive and uninformed to make a strong statement on the matter. Politics is an extremely complex field, and one that I am not naturally good at understanding. I always end up on the scientific or philosophical side of issues and have little appreciation for what the real-life implementation of policies entails. Thus, take the following article as a brief sketch of my views in the process of formation. I have much stronger things to say about other aspects of society than how government should carry out its duties.

My Political Views

For now this page will have a brief summary of my views on political matters in the United States. Over time I will probably flesh this page out.

Role of government
In approximate order of priority, the government's job is to 1) ensure the survival of humanity, 2) ensure the survival of the nation in accordance with the will of the people, 3) protect individual freedoms, and 4) promote the health and welfare of its citizens. In addition, it has the duty to respond to requests from intergovernmental organizations to help promote welfare and security in the rest of the world when necessary.

National security
I have no strong views on national security. You gotta do what you gotta do. I support increasing the role of international organizations such as the UN in the resolution of all manner of international conflicts, as well as perfecting the operations of these organizations.

Healthcare
I think universal healthcare is the way to go. This is what most other developed countries have done, with relative success. The health insurance system in place in the United States serves to suppress the use of healthcare services rather than their prudent use. Too much money is going to insurance companies who provide no real services, rather than to actual healthcare providers. Insurance middlemen need to be eliminated by guaranteeing healthcare to all (with some stipulations to avoid blatant overuse). This will help reduce fear in society surrounding the potential inability to pay for the cost of illnesses and accidents. Systems should be developed that encourage doctors to make house calls rather than having the sick come into a sterile office setting for to wait, file paperwork, and be run through standard procedures. Healthcare should not be a corporate experience, but a private and nurturing one. A prudent healthcare system should maximize the level of health and happiness in society while trying to keep expenditures to a reasonable minimum. Healthcare could be funded in large measure by taxes on foods and activities that increase one's risk of needing healthcare.

Health and lifestyle
I believe that the government in our days should promote the overall health and well-being of its citizens. It should apply legislative leverage to encourage citizens, groups, and businesses to pursue practices that are conducive to health -- things like reducing pollution, promoting healthy lifestyles, preserving natural lands, etc. Foods that have been scientifically proven to involve health risks should be taxed to fund healthcare to address the problems the foods cause. Unfortunately, without substantial taxes on unhealthy food, a large percentage of Americans do not have the willpower to eat good food. This is a liability for the healthcare system. By making good food and good practices comparatively cheaper than poor ones, healthcare expenditures can be reduced. Policies should be pursued that make it advantageous to walk or use a bicycle instead of drive a car. Eventually, large subdivisions with 25% of their total area paved over should become a thing of the past.

Sustainability
As an issue of overwhelming international significance, the government should enter into treaties with other nations to reduce harmful ecological practices such as pollution, destruction of key natural habitats, species extinction, fossil fuel emissions, ozone depleting emissions, etc. etc. The government should enter into "cap-and-trade" type agreements with other countries to jointly curb population growth. Sustainability needs to become an all-encompassing governance concept, and there should be taxes on consumption that cover the cost of maintaining sustainable practices. Plastics should be taxed to pay for adequate recycling. Water should be taxed to pay for the full costs of maintaining healthy watersheds.

more to come soon