Smitty
I like tax rates where they are currently. I am a firm believer in the Laffer curve and think that lower *rates* can (and have) produced higher revenues. That “sweet spot” on the Laffer is always changing however. Take the Clinton years – housing boom, tech boom all played more of a role in federal revenues that any tax policy (imo). Under Reagan, tax revenues soared even though rates were cut. It was spending that did us in (primarily defense). And yes, he did increase them later – after tax cuts had primed the pump.
I have struggled with abortion forever. I am not particularly religious, and certainly understand the keep “your hands off my body” approach, but just can’t get over the fact that the human being inside deserves a “choice” as well, and the women’s body should not “trump” the child’s.
As to the death penalty, I just can’t get my hands around even one innocent person being killed. I would rather lock them up for life and be done with them. I don;t think it is much of a deterrent in its current form either – it just takes way too long to work itself out.