Elizabeth Ross-Harrison - Family & Society

<< Elizabeth Ross-Harrison

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Failure to wear a seat belt should be a primary offense. I hate laws of this kind under most circumstances, but in this case (and in the case of helmets for motorcyclists), stupidity costs the people far too much. And honestly, I don't expect to see police officers pulling people over purely for this offense if it becomes a primary one anyway - it will just add to the stack of offenses. Making it a primary one makes it possible to radically increase fines and penalties for it. Higher fines and penalties for an offense that costs taxpayers a lot of money when the silly people with little or no health insurance who don't do what they should end up running up major medical bills when they wreck makes sense. Even when they do have insurance, it still ends up costing others - higher premiums and deductibles. But I think I'm definitely biased on this one - saw what happens when someone is thrown through a windshield in a car wreck when I was very young, and to this day cannot get the image of that man's contorted, bloody body lying in the middle of the road out of my head.

Roman Polanski should not be extradited to the U.S. His lawyer is right. He fled, but he was never "hard to find." Even his victim has no interest in mounting a case against him. The big question is who is benefiting from this? How is justice being served? Sure, a case could be made for punishing him, but he punished himself over the years. And when did the concerns of the victim stop being a part of the process? The victim got over this, and now someone wants to put her back where she started? The true injustice will be when someone tries to force her to testify against him - re-victimize her. She got over it. Leave it alone!

I have smoked marijuana. And unlike President Clinton, I most certainly did inhale. However, to me, marijuana is not a recreational drug (in spite of the fact that I was introduced to it in that setting.) The only reason I would use it again would be for medicinal purposes - have done so in the past for pain management and/or calming nerves (talking severe stress, not typical.)

Same-sex marriage is not a civil rights issue. Marriage should not be considered a secular issue, and instead of focusing on getting states to enact equity acts, we should be focusing on removing marriage from the hands of the states. Marriage is a religious term, and should be left in the hands of the churches. Perhaps it could be argued that it is a matter of semantics, but given the current situation with religious leaders dabbling in politics, it is time to consider making civil unions the norm for government.

Employers should not block personal e-mail access on company computers. Just like other forms of communication, if for no other reason, personal e-mail access should not be restricted in case of personal emergencies. If it is abused, obviously an employer needs to deal with it on a case-by-case basis. But as a policy in general, no.

Violence in movies does not contribute to violence in society. Violence in movies does not contribute to violence in society. Society no longer prizes personal responsibility as it once did, and that has contributed the most to any increase in violence.

Drug sentencing laws in America are not fair. Of course I'm of the opinion that we need to stop waging war on drugs by trying to stop them. Legalize, tax, remove the money tree for gangs and organized crime, decrease prison populations, and increase rehabs.

Greed is the worst of the seven deadly sins. Can't ignore the current economic situation. Greed running rampant is the root of it, and many who were not guilty of this "sin" are suffering for it. Don't believe that, try asking Madoff's victims, or any of the baby boomer generation who have watched helplessly as their hard earned retirement funds went to hell.

Racial profiling was not a factor in the arrest of Professor Gates. Act like you don't belong somewhere, or get in a police officer's face, expect to be treated like a criminal.

The arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was justified. Gates' behavior was inappropriate, and the officer went on the side of caution.

Racial discrimination is still a significant problem in America. It is still a problem, but more often lately the problem is with individuals playing the race card. Individuals of color who have made good lives for themselves shouldn't be crying foul.

Drugs should be legalized. There is far too much money in the underground economy that isn't being tapped. Drug abuse and the war on drugs cost billions of health care and law enforcement dollars each year. We need to balance that scale at least a little. Also, if they were legalized there would be greater control of what is out there.

President Obama's statement about Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s arrest was not appropriate. But to call a foul on it publicly isn't the best idea either. Essentially, he stepped in it, and anything said from this point on will carry the same stink.

Cats are better pets than dogs. I'm a little biased right now. Just got a new puppy, and am already a little tired of chasing it around the house to keep it out of trouble. Our cat is also annoyed with her.

Local and state governments should not be able to use eminent domain to acquire and transfer properties that have public benefits for private uses. While the public benefits may seem an enticing reason to allow this sort of thing, it is nothing more than an "ends justifying the means" situation. That is not good government.

Minors should not be exempt from the death penalty. If a minor commits a crime that merits the death penalty, it should be levied if that is the decision of the judge and jury. There are few circumstances where the death penalty is considered, and age should not exempt one from it.

Undocumented immigrants should not be granted in-state tuition benefits. It's called become a citizen, legally.

Monogamy is not natural. In the context of being with one person for an entire adult life, no, it is not natural.

Parents should have the right to refuse medical care for their children due to religious beliefs. I don't agree with that logic, but it isn't my place to tell others what to do with their children. However, exception should be made for situations that involve public health. Refusal of vaccinations is an issue that goes far beyond any given family or their belief systems, because it increases the probability that some diseases would become a public health issue again. It has been dramatized often on shows like ER, and if what was illustrated in those shows is possible (outbreaks of diseases that haven't been seen in years), public health should outweigh parental rights.

The law should require people to wear seat belts. Also should require motorcyclists to wear helmets, or at the very least, require those who choose not to do either to add their names to the rolls of organ donors.

The Matthew Shepard Bill is not constitutional. In order for it to be constitutional, we would also have to accept the constitutionality of laws that levy increased penalties for killing pregnant women, granting personhood to fetuses. I don't like it, but....

Religious compatibility is not an important component to a romantic relationship. Unless one or both are radically religious and those religions conflict.

References to God or religion should be left out of U.S. Presidential Inaugurations. But I have this general dislike for any religion being associated with anything in government. Thank neo-cons and Christian Coalition for ruining that one.

It is healthy for couples to remain friends after being in a long-term relationship. If it's not, then all those mental health professionals who encourage divorced parents to be at least "friendly" are being inappropriate.

Jesus Christ was a real-life person. No reason to think there wasn't a man of this name who wandered around Galilee doing miracles. (Miracle workers were "in" back then.)

Economic downturns lead to increases in crime. That falls under the "obvious" column. I'll really hate the money that will be wasted on studies to prove it.

Marijuana should be legal. I have no love for the underground economy. If it's legal, it can be taxed.

Marijuana is not a gateway drug. By no means a scientific opinion. I do know more people who have used marijuana and never moved on to something "harder" than ones who ended up addicted to another drug as a result of increased experimentation.

Political compatibility is not an important component to a romantic relationship. At least not for me. I'm engaged to a man who is radically more conservative than I am, and that's just fine. He keeps me honest.

Dating sites are an effective way to find love. Only saying yes because I know it has worked for a few friends who just didn't have the time or inclination to try and find a mate at a club. Essentially, I view it like the singles groups you can often find associated with churches and social organizations. You're just finding like-minded people over the internet instead of at a mixer.

The Catholic Church should not deny communion to members who are pro-choice. Unless they want to alienate many western members of their church, they should leave well enough alone.

Mormons are not Christian. Opinion after reading their sacred text.

The legal drinking age should be 21. Or older. Youths already don't receive enough guidance from parents on alcohol abuse. Decreasing the drinking age would only increase the number of drunk driving incidents among teens.

The death penalty should not be available in cases of child rape.

Christianity is in decline.

Polygamy should not be legal.

Women should serve as clergy.

No-fault divorce should be available to couples.