So the other day I went to McSame's website where I found a chart with a list of issues and where McCain and Obama stand on certain issues. Some of the things Obama is "accused" of, so to speak, is just plain untrue, and other things McCain says just makes me like Obama even more. So I took as unbiasd a look as I could. Bear with me as I try to use reason to figure this out.
On foriegn policy, it says that McCain would; "strengthen our alliances, keep America safe, and enhance American prosperity by expanding trade." sounds good, doesnt specify exactly what he would do but I'll give McCain the benefit of the doubt and pretend for now that he has plans to achieve those goals in a way that would make Americans proud. In the Obama column, it says that Obama would; "meet unconditionally with the world's worst dictators, from Ahmadinejad to Castro to Kim Jong Il." I'm not sure what McCain's definition of the word "unconditionally" is, but Obama has said that these leaders would have to be willing to discuss problems that the U.S. is concerned about. Now, this is my own opinion, but I do not think that a U.S. president meeting with an enemy who is willing to talk, would then inspire that enemy to somehow do the US more harm. I believe that in most situations Diplomacy works. I am not so niave as to think that we wont fight any wars ever again if we use diplomacy, I dont think Obama believes this either.
On reforming Washington, for the McCain column it says "Only John McCain has a record of working to end Washington's stagnant, unproductive partisanship." Now I'm not claiming to have memorized McCain's voting record, but I do know that he has gone back on his own beliefs for what I assume is party loyalty. Yes, many politicians have changed votes to go with thier party I'm sure Obama has too, but McCain once believed that Bush's Tax Cuts for the wealthiest 1% were morally reprehensible. He believed that it was wrong that the wealthy business owner making millions paid less in taxes than a minimum wage worker at one of the owner's stores. But yet when it came time to renew these tax cuts, McCain voted for them, with considerable pressure from the Bush Administration I might add. A similar switch of ideals came when McCain, a formerly outspoken critic of the Bush Admin. torture policy, decided to vote for a bill that would not restrict the CIA to the same ethical standards on torture as the military. I had at least respected McCain for standing up for his strong morals and code of ethics, despite the political pressure from his party, but I can no longer say that I respect him for that. When McCain can't stand up for his strongest beliefs, he is simply another Washington partisan. In the Obama column it says "The American people have not seen Obama forsake partisanship for progress." I suppose that also depends on definition, because if your definition of "progress" is the advancement of war and torture, then no, Obama, like most Democrates, voted not to allow it. But that is not my definition. Obama worked with politicians on both sides of the isle in order to pass ethics reform in Washington during his time as a U. S. Senator. This is both major reform to a broken Washington system that listens more to Lobbyiests and PACs than Americans, and a bipartisan effort for the sake of bettering the American system of government. My definition of "progress".
The next section was about Health Care. "Senator Obama thinks we can improve health care by driving Americans into a new system of government orders, regulations and mandates." First of all, I do like the idea of Universal Health Care, I support it, and I know that Senator McCain does not. Secondly, The only "mandate" in Obama's plan is that all children have healthcare. If by "driving Americans into a new system of government orders" means simply making sure that a child won't have to suffer if they get sick simply because thier parents cant afford a doctor, then I'm fine with that. It doesnt infringe on anyones right, unless you believe that it is a parent's right to choose to whether or not thier child gets better if the child is sick. Obama has said on multiple occasions, that those who like thier current healthcare do not have to change it one bit.
O.K. so this was really long....I get on rants.... one more thing on the Judiciary Appointments section. On this McCain comparison chart.... it says "Obama would nominate judges that would continue the judicial activism that has characterized the federal bench for years. This is why he opposed Roberts and Alito." I'm not sure what would make McCain believe that Obama would "nominate judges that would continue the judicial activism." I guess the same things that would make him think that Obama has no record of bipartisanship. But the reason that Obama opposed the Roberts and Alito nominations is because Roberts and Alito are extremely conservative friends of the exective branch. Stacking the courts with highly partisan judges is not something a president should be doing, and in the end undermines the system of checks and balances. That is why Obama opposed the nominations. He recognizes the executive branch's abuse of power.
There are more issues....I could go on and on.... but I wont.
Wishing you all hope over fear.-Kari
Today, March 29th 2008 at 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Standard time, is Earth Hour. For one hour entire citys and millions of individuals will be turning off thier thier lights for one hour to make a statement about the need to adress the issue of Global Warming and Climate change. This is a global movement in which we all can make a difference. Please watch this quick video about Earth Hour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxu3MluKl8A&NR=1
When we all take a stand, we all count, so at 8:00 pm, where ever you live, turn off your lights. Play a game of cards with your family, read a good book by candle light, or play a game with your kids. At the same time you will be part of the global movement that transends polictical and geographic boundrys. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the ones who will bring change.
-Kari
I took the liberty (that for the time being we still have in America) to tell my senators what I think they should do as superdelegates. Both Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell have endorsed Hillary Clinton, and have not yet changed thier endorsement despite the fact that thier constituents in the state of Washington overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama. Excersize your first amendment rights and email/call/visit/talk to those who represent you!
