A quick look at McCain’s view
Posted by The Skyliner on October 1st, 2008Cody Fields
Staff Writer
This upcoming presidential election, like every one before it, will set the nation’s course and write history. While there are too many issues to fit into and discuss in one article, I have chosen three particularly hot button issues and will present and react to the candidates’ stances. This week, we’ll be taking a look at the Republican ticket, with Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska).
- The Economy
“No taxpayer money should bail out real estate speculators or financial market participants who failed to perform due diligence in assessing credit risks. Any assistance for borrowers should be focused solely on homeowners and any government assistance to the banking system should be based solely on preventing systemic risk,” says johnmccain.com. “Any policy of financial assistance should be accompanied by reforms that promote greater transparency and accountability to ensure we never face this problem again.”
McCain understands that the big companies that are going under are doing so because of poor business practices and the basic boom and bust economic cycle. The government using our money to bail out a dying company is an irresponsible use of funds. While his plan isn’t close to perfect, his website lists over three dozen economists who endorse his plan.
- Taxes
On his official website, McCain believes Congress should suspend 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day. McCain wants to lower the corporate tax rate in order to make it more affordable to keep jobs, and he wants to ban potential Internet and cell phone taxes, which would include e-mails, text messages and even 911 calls. McCain also wants to ban earmarks in the budget and wants to balance the budget by 2013.
In our economic state (and any economic state really), it’s good to see a candidate that doesn’t want to take more of my money and then wants to spend it more wisely. The gas tax suspension would drastically help out everyone every time they visit a gas pump. I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone complain about having more money in his wallet.
- Iraq
“John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred,” says johnmccain.com. He wants to put pressure on Syria and Iran for harboring and training terrorists that have operated in Iraq and wants to be more honest with the American people about the progress, opportunities and risks ahead.
McCain understands not just from being a veteran, but from experience and common sense, that turning tail in Iraq before the terrorist threat is exterminated will turn a fairly stable portion of the Middle East back into a hotbed of volatility. McCain personally went through the agony that was a failed Vietnam War, and he doesn’t want to see that happen again.
In a time where experience is stressed, the McCain-Palin ticket touts plenty of it along with ideas that work for everyone. When voting next month, keep in mind that the winner will determine the course of the nation for the next four years and that every policy counts.
Tags: Fall 2008, Vol. 108 Fall - Issue 4