Here are my views on a few issues; my views on each topic are condensed into little nutshells, each of which are only one paragraph long. Therefore, each "nutshell" is a rather shallow summary of what I feel and not really that in-depth, so if I feel like it, I might expand on one of the nutshells in a completely separate rant. :) Anyway, let's start.

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ABORTION - I'm fully pro-choice as long as the fetus does not have its own brain waves. Once the fetus gets brain waves (about three-four months after conception) I only approve of abortion if the woman's health is endangered. At that point it ultimately should be the decision of the physician and the woman.

MARIJUANA - Although I personally have NEVER smoked a joint or smoked a "bowl" or used a bong (and I never will), I think legalization of marijuana is a good thing. For one, it is medically proven to help glaucoma patients and cancer patients. Secondly, legalization abolishes the black market. People have argued that some kids (and adults) out there will have a greater desire to smoke marijuana if it becomes legal, and that's true. However, there are just as many kids and adults who will have less of a desire to smoke marijuana once it gets legalized, since there is less of a thrill to get high on something that is "legal." Note that in many high school and colleges smoking tobacco and drinking are considered passe compared to smoking marijuana, mainly because of the fact that marijuana is still illegal. I could even ramble on about how legalization would make quality hemp products (lotions, fabrics, even cheeses) more accessible and even help Central and South American economy, but in any case, the disappearance of the black market and the medical benefits are good enough reasons already.

WELFARE - Only one percent of California's tax dollars go to welfare, yet people complain that those on welfare are sucking their tax dollars. Opponents of the welfare system have argued that people have abused the welfare system, and duh, of course that's true, but there are just as many people who do not abuse the welfare system and need the welfare system as a fallback when times are tough. Just because some people abuse the system doesn't mean that well-meaning people should suffer for it.

LITTLE THINGS THAT I'LL RANT ABOUT LATER - "Undercover" homophobia (which has produced such gems as "love the sinner, hate the sin"), racism, shallow or trivial pet peeves like pet peeves about raisins in cookies or people with unibrows, sexism, people who get embarrassed over stuff I could care less about like stuttering or having to wipe your nose in public or accidentally spilling your food, people who take me for granted (not that I crave attention, but I hate it when people give me half their attention instead of all of it or none at all), people who aren't willing to try new things, people who think having a bad day is a good enough excuse to ruin someone else's day...

I never shut up. :)