View source for User:JLauttamus

Greetings!  I am a 23-year-old nurse from Pittsburgh, PA.  I have worked in orthopedics for over 4 years, and hope to use this expertise in contributing to the medicine-related articles on this site.

==Articles I've Created==
*[[Jim Quinn]]
*[[Acinetobacter]]
*[[Socialist Party of America]]
*[[Thyroid]]


==My Views==
====Politically====
I tend to think of myself as right in the middle of the political spectrum.  My father was an avid gun owner, and so am I, although I am for a certain level of [[gun_control|gun control]]; I wouldn't any Tom, Dick, or Harry being able to purchase a firearm with no background check of any sort.  Handguns, shotguns, and rifles I have no issues with; it is mainly the semi-automatic assault rifles I take issue with because they have only one purpose:  to kill another human being.

I am conditionally pro-life.  The only time an [[abortion]] should be performed is if the [[fetus]] is already dead inside of the womb&mdash;in the medical community, a D&C is considered an [[abortion]]&mdash; or if it comes down to a decision between the life of the mother or the child.  [[Abortion]] is not a form of [[birth_control|birth control]].  I do not see a problem with other forms of contraception, such as the birth control pill, or other prophylactic products.

I don't agree with [[homosexuality]] for the simple fact that it does nothing to maintain the survival of the human race.  [[Marriage]] holds no real religious significance to me (see below), although I take it very seriously.  Marriage is taking two lives and molding them into one, and is one of the most amazing things a man and woman can experience.

The welfare system is in shambles.  Due to disintegration of [[family_values|family values]], one cannot depend on his family to provide for him in time of despair.  This creates a population of squatters dependent on their government stipend check to get by.  They have numerous children to receive more government aide.  I see no problem with a short-term welfare system, however people who make a living off of it have no honor, nor shame.

====Economically====
I am a fastidious economic conservative.  I feel that many who lean towards a socialist-style economic system have not established themselves enough to take hold of the benefits of a free-market system.  However, I don't believe that [[supply-side_ecomomics|supply-side economics]] can salvage what's left of the American economic system.  A cheap overseas workforce and tax cuts for companies who ship job overseas is a major factor in our current economic situation.

====Religious====
I call myself an [[agnostic]].  However, I don't completely discredit [[Intelligent_design|Intelligent Design]] as a theory for the origin of the universe.  I also feel that it should be taught readily in public schools as an alternative to [[evolution]], but not in a science class.  I don't believe that there is anyway to scientifically test the theory, making it unfalsifiable.  I support it being taught in a philosophy or theology class. I have learned ''volumes'' regarding the evidence for and against it from the articles on this site.  I feel that [[evolution]] cannot explain the intricacies of life nor the world that it populates.  I can't quite swallow [[Young_earth_creationism|Young Earth Creationism]] as a sound theory.

I have no problem with classroom prayer; I feel that students should be able to express themselves however they see fit.  Teacher or administrative-led prayer in the public school system, on the other hand, cannot be justified.  As an agnostic, I don't think I would want my children forced to pray in school, but rather come to their views on religion by their own means.  It's not just [[Christians]] that pay taxes.

==Personal==
====Music====
I grew up loving music.  I play guitar and keyboard, and consider it to be my one true passion next to my wife and family.  Here are a few of my favorite bands:
*Led Zeppelin
*NOFX
*Bad Religion
*Strung Out
*The Clash
*The Dead Kennedy’s
*The Ramones
*Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
*James Taylor

==My Intentions==
Due to my obviously differing religious views from other higher-ranking members of this site, I plan on sticking to non-controversial, informational articles dealing mainly with medicine and perhaps economics.  I would like to participate in debate, for that is how one truly learns; by free exchange of ideas.  Please don't hesitate to leave a message on my talk page if you have any questions or concerns.  Happy editing!

==Contact==
Feel free to contact me either on my [[User_talk:JLauttamus|talk page]], [mailto:lauttamusjw@upmc.edu  email], or my AIM (screen name is lauttaholic).