William M. Andrews

I am a progressive Democrat, with some small "l" libertarian ideals, offering no apologies for my capitalist leanings, provided that as a quid pro quo to capitalism, the following are provided: equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation; easy access to education and health care, regardless of ability to pay; respect for the environment by corporate and governmetal entities; mantenance of a strong middle class, by limiting the number of jobs and services that are off-shored, as well as maintaining a secure, safe national infrastructure. I'm an absolutist with respect to both clauses of the First Amendment: freedoom of speech or expression and freedom of religion (or non-religion). Although I am an Atheist, I am not hostile towards organized religion as long as it remains separate from government and that it cannot be used as a means of affecting public policy or lawmaking. I am pro-choice, although opposed to abortion as a form of birth control. I do not support race/gender based affirmative action programs, except in the most narrowly tailored instances and only subsequent to a demonstrable showing that the affirmative action program in question will effectively eradicate proven institutional discrimination. As a general proposition, I do not support what is colloquially known as hate crime legislation because of the inherent problems in discretionary enforcement subject to shifting norms of political correctness. I also oppose all forms of illegal immigration. I am categorically opposed to the death penalty.