I remember there was a thread somewhere which gave good evidence about McCain’s vices. Most notably, 1) his environmental policies are extreme and would be devastating to our economy, 2) that he has supported conscription in America, and 3) that his wishes to impose his religious views on our laws. The second is, to me, the most surprising and serious charge against him, but I cannot find the thread any longer and am having a hard time gathering solid evidence.
So I thought it would be good to have a relatively organized collection of articles, quotes, and references about McCain and his revolting politics.
By the way, I’m a student at Columbia University and he will be coming here to give a speech, along with Obama, on 9/11 (just a week away). If there is to be a Q & A session, I would like to press him over these matters and perhaps get them publicized a bit. If anybody has suggestions about what to ask, I’m open to them.
You won’t be asking Obama any “questions”? I don’t like McCain’s politics and won’t be voting for him, but would never consider voting for Obama’s version of American socialism.
his environmental policies are extreme and would be devastating to our economy,
His environmental views are horrible, unless one compares them to those held by Obama and the party of Al Gore. Then they seem mild. In McCain’s favor, at least he has shown some willingness to moderate his environmental views by embracing the call for more oil exploration and drilling. With a little work, Sarah Palin might be able to get him to back-track on his no drilling in ANWAR pledge. We can only hope…
that he has supported conscription in America
I don’t know whether he has done anything to actively support this. However, I do know that he has spoken of a draft in favorable terms on several occasions. The only person I know of who actually introduced legislation to bring back the draft was Charley Rangel, the Democrat from NY. Thankfully that bill was rejected overwhelmingly. Honestly, I wouldn’t spend a lot of time worrying about a draft. The chances that it will come back are very slim.
that his wishes to impose his religious views on our laws.
Other than his professed opposition to abortion, I’m not sure what you’re referring to here. As far as abortion is concerned, anyone McCain nominates to the SCOTUS will have to get past a Democrat controlled Senate. There is no way an opponent of abortion will make it on the court.
His environmental views are horrible, unless one compares them to those held by Obama and the party of Al Gore. Then they seem mild. In McCain’s favor, at least he has shown some willingness to moderate his environmental views by embracing the call for more oil exploration and drilling. With a little work, Sarah Palin might be able to get him to back-track on his no drilling in ANWAR pledge. We can only hope…
I don’t know whether he has done anything to actively support this. However, I do know that he has spoken of a draft in favorable terms on several occasions. The only person I know of who actually introduced legislation to bring back the draft was Charley Rangel, the Democrat from NY. Thankfully that bill was rejected overwhelmingly. Honestly, I wouldn’t spend a lot of time worrying about a draft. The chances that it will come back are very slim.
Other than his professed opposition to abortion, I’m not sure what you’re referring to here. As far as abortion is concerned, anyone McCain nominates to the SCOTUS will have to get past a Democrat controlled Senate. There is no way an opponent of abortion will make it on the court.
Scalia, Kennedy and Thomas, I believe, were all voted in by a Democratic congress and all oppose abortion.
Also, I believe Stephen Breyer was voted in by a Republican controlled-congress, and he is considered a liberal judge.
Also, as far as Religion goes, there is also the conservative opposition to stem-cell research and the disregard for church and state in the school system and in some cases with the justices of the supreme court, many believe it would be fine for individual states and churches to literally merge with one another.
His environmental views are horrible, unless one compares them to those held by Obama and the party of Al Gore. Then they seem mild. In McCain’s favor, at least he has shown some willingness to moderate his environmental views by embracing the call for more oil exploration and drilling. With a little work, Sarah Palin might be able to get him to back-track on his no drilling in ANWAR pledge. We can only hope…
I’m beginning to develop a different definition of the lesser evil. I used to think the degree of evil in a candidate could be judged by 1) the positions he holds and 2) the promises he makes.
Now I’m not so sure. I think a better measure is not what a candidate wants to do, but how much of it can he get done. For example, any radical environmental propposal by Obama would meet with a lot of resistance by the GOP. Enough perhaps to weaken his propposal, or maybe even to defeat it (the minority can filibuster its way to defeat the majority, but not often).
On the other hand a mild environmental proposal by McCain would face opposition from the Democrats, but likely in the sense that it doesn’t strangle industry enough (see W. Bush’s prescription drug program).
Seen this way, who’s the lesser evil?
Other than his professed opposition to abortion, I’m not sure what you’re referring to here. As far as abortion is concerned, anyone McCain nominates to the SCOTUS will have to get past a Democrat controlled Senate. There is no way an opponent of abortion will make it on the court.
Roe v Wade is likely safe for a good many decades to come. If only because the country is about evenly divided between those who accept legal abortion and those who do not. What’s more troublesome are the restrictions placed on abortion at the satte level. things like a minor needing to notify a parent, bans on late term abortions, etc.
McCain simply can’t do much against abortion. He’d have to be able to appoint a record number of Supreme Court Justices to even have a chance. Even then, any nominee who doesn’t say he won’t overturn Roe v wade (simplifying vastly here) will never get out of committe for a full vote
Roe v Wade is likely safe for a good many decades to come. If only because the country is about evenly divided between those who accept legal abortion and those who do not. What’s more troublesome are the restrictions placed on abortion at the satte level. things like a minor needing to notify a parent, bans on late term abortions, etc.
McCain simply can’t do much against abortion.
As you say yourself, the attack will come at the state level. All McCain needs to do is appoint a single SCOTUS judge. The SCOTUS won;t overturn Roe v Wade directly, but will build some states-rights type of rationalization to allow some state laws that are exceptions.
Such a states-rights philosophy can cause problems down the line, far afield from abortion.
Here is an article by McCain on the topic of “national service”. Expect McCain and Palin to push for an expanded AmeriCorp, with the Dems salivating. It’s like faith based initiatives… the Dems would not be able to get such a thing going (politically); so the GOP will build it for them. Amen.
McCain led the “campaign reform” assault on free speech which is a dangerous law. Much like laws like RICO, it is the type of thing that will be used within a narrow domain for a while, but can be expanded to stop private individuals from blogging etc.
Scalia, Kennedy and Thomas, I believe, were all voted in by a Democratic congress and all oppose abortion.
There seems to be much more focus on the issue, now that the Republicans are within striking distance. I can’t see the Dems allowing a declared opponent of Roe through the process. On the other hand, if there were a stealth appointee who hid their views then that could be a problem.
As you say yourself, the attack will come at the state level. All McCain needs to do is appoint a single SCOTUS judge. The SCOTUS won;t overturn Roe v Wade directly, but will build some states-rights type of rationalization to allow some state laws that are exceptions.
Such a states-rights philosophy can cause problems down the line, far afield from abortion.
I’m afraid I can’t respond properly without making this thread about abortion. If you care to, split the topic or start a new thread and I will explain further. Meantime, while Roe stands, it will be nearly impossible to do away with abortion on demand during the 1st trimester for adult women, at least.
State rights are a double-edged sword.
What concerns me most about McCain is his record as a “reformer” in the area of campaign financing. The McCain-Feingold bill pretty much muzzles free political speech when it’s needed most, during a campaign. As president he might take it furhter, and he’d face little opposition from the Democrats who’d like nothing better than to stand against corruption.
About the only reason I can see for voting for McCain is Iran. I’m certain Obama won’t stand up to Iran, and it’s tough to get the opposition in Congress, particularly in the minority, to pressure him into it. McCain might not do it, either, or he might be even more ineffectual than Bush, but there is a chance he might.
If there is to be a Q & A session, I would like to press him over these matters and perhaps get them publicized a bit. If anybody has suggestions about what to ask, I’m open to them.
You should ask both of them the following question: What is the nature and purpose of government?