I've Been Accused of being Liberal. Okay I'm laying my cards on the table

Gun Control:
We have a right to arm ourselves but I would want REALLY strict rules stripping that right from convicted felons or people diagnosed with certain mental illnesses, etc.

Gay marriage:
I'm flip flopping on this. As a Catholic with strong beliefs, I feel that marriage should be between a man and a woman....however, the greatest gift God bestowed on Man was free will....so by telling two people they can't get married, am I taking away that gift? On the fence.

Abortion:
Completely against it (unless the mother's life is in question). This is probably one of the most important issues, to me.

Church and State:
Kept totally separate.

Health Care:
It would be nice if everyone could have health insurance. It would be nice if everyone could own a Lexus. Neither can be done in this day in age. Maybe in the future we can go all Star Trek and do away with money...but until, then....nope.

Drugs:
Should be illegal.

Taxes:
I'll admit. I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes to economics...but I like the one where people are taxed strictly on the goods they buy. You'd have to watch for the rich people trying to exploit the system, but it seems like it would be fair (rich buying more and paying more, etc)...flat tax, right? Like I said, I admittedly am not well versed, here. That just sounds like a good idea.

Foreign Policy:
I tend to view things as "the World" or "mankind" more than just "Americans". So when there are injustices going on, I feel like we have a duty to help out the less fortunate. I would prefer diplomacy be exhausted before war is declared.

Education:
There's no good answer here. Some places need more federal involvement and others need to be left alone....what's good for one area of the country is not good for another. Maybe let states run themselves unless they underperform...and then the Fed steps in temporarily to give that area a boost.

Trade:
Free trade.

Welfare:
Drug screen for you check. Welfare is needed but it is one of the most exploited things I have ever seen. There needs to be a lot more screening to go through before you can get on it and unemployed people should be required to go to job training while on it.

Campaign Finance:
We need to clean up politics. It's just way too messy. Where to begin? I really don't know. But something needs to be done to keep politicians from being bought.

Death Penalty:
On the fence...leaning to for it if there is NO DOUBT what so ever and it is an egregious crime. I think there needs to be more rehabilitation and skills training in our prison system.

Social Security:
Honestly don't know. People need it...but it is really inefficient and does not look like it will last.

Energy
Efficiency is the key. I like the gov pushing for more efficient, cleaner fuel.

Environment
Same with energy. We should be searching for cleaner way to do things and I like the gov getting involved to persuade companies to do this...by incentive more than mandates.

Immigration:
We need to sure up the borders to crack down on illegal immigrants...however; it would be too hard to clear out the ones that are already here...so I'm for amnesty. At least then they can contribute with taxes.

Civil Liberties:
There's a thin line between the government infringing upon civil liberties and people having too much freedom. In a perfect World, I would be all for a totally free society...but I know that there are too many people who would take advantage of it and of others and so some liberties get restricted....it's a very thin line between too much and not enough.

Military:
I've seen the military give a future to too many kids that would have ended up on the streets and/or on welfare or jail too say get rid of the GI Bill. With some kids, the military is the only ladder they have out of poverty. I've seen other kids whose parents messed them up so bad you would swear would turn into deadbeats get that discipline they need and turn into fully productive and charitable people.