What are my political views?

Simple: All things in life have a cost. No matter what, there is always a trade off. I believe people should be free to figure out what costs they are willing to pay, and pay them.

This is also why I’m a big supporter of federalism. I believe people will be a lot happier if you allow those who are willing to pay the same costs to congregate together. Those who want more freedom with all the responsibility and uncertainty it brings can go be in one town while those who want more security with all the restrictions it brings can be in another town and let both town pay the costs they find acceptable. The more you try to impose costs on everyone, the more unhappy people will be.

Because of this, I never trust anyone who hides costs from me - salesman or politician. (but is there a difference?) If someone promises you there will be no downside to this offer or plan or product, they are lying. The harder someone works to hide a cost from you, the more dangerous they are and the less you should trust them.

Now the wise man will know that there’s always unforeseen or hidden costs so the wise man also plans for this with his efforts and practices humility in his choices so that he can reverse course if the costs prove too high. Though reversing won’t come without a price of its own, it will be worth it if wisdom is gained.

From there, everything else is negotiation. If you want to argue that you shouldn’t have to pay your costs or I should pay for you, well we’re not going to get very far. (Because if I have to pay, I get some say.) I hope you are prepared to defend your proposition. Otherwise we’ll all get along better figuring out what we’re willing to pay for what we’re wanting out of life.