Political Discussion if you feel like it

[preussisch_blau]

I just want to say that as much as I like discussing politics, I don't know if the political discussions will continue after this. I'm still reeling from a comment in the first discussion, as well as one left to the second discussion. Unfortunately, I find it difficult to discuss politics when people either ignore a well thought out post, respond in one line, or tell me how to think. That and I don't think I could be swayed from a McCain vote at this point, as much as I've tried to be open-minded and not let my innate conservatism get in the way of seriously weighing the issues. Furthermore, I'm probably far too emotionally invested in certain issues to be able to have reasoned debate. I hope none of you don't think any worse of me for this. I've genuinely tried to see things from a different perspective, but I think this is one case where we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Anyhow, for those of you who feel like it...

First, I have to say my number one reason for voting McCain is... Obama. Really. I can't really make an argument for McCain without some comparison to Obama, but I will endeavor to be respectful and factual. I'll even refrain from using my "Nobama" icons. McCain isn't my ideal candidate, but I know under his administration I'll get to keep my money my healthcare and my freedoms. A lot of what gets Obama says looks really good on the surface, but the far-reaching implications aren't addressed.

For example: Imagine you are an employer who offers health benefits. And a new program is instituted whereby the government offers healthcare to people who don't have it. Chances are, you're going to say, "Hey, why pay out all this money in healthcare when I can get the government to insure my workers? They're using my tax money to give everyone else insurance, why should I pay for my workers in addition to everyone else?" Over a decade or so, employer health benefits become less common and the state increasingly has to shoulder the burden, driving up taxes. Obama's plan is going to push us ultimately toward universal healthcare like they have in Canada and in Europe. I don't want my doctor to tell me he can't see me because he's reached his quota from the government and won't get paid for my visit, sorry, come back in January. Now my Dad is insured by the state, because he is disabled, and I know the system we have isn't great--case in point, only one doctor in his area will take his insurance, and when she suddenly went on emergency leave, he was without medication for six weeks. But the system is in place, and it is potentially a good system. But we need to make it better by making sure that doctors are accepting it so that patients have choices. And we have to be more flexible about what such insurance will cover, not these hard and fast rules about "we don't treat this condition or pay for this medication, or we cover this medication but only once a year". I don't think that creating a whole new system is the answer. Also note that establishing this new healthcare framework is going to mean added bureaucracy, much hemming and hawing, and generally slow going. Not to mention more money.

Secondly, I believe McCain understands what to do with our tax money. He understands that by cutting taxes, you can actually in some respects INCREASE revenues. Example, the capital gains tax. The government receives HIGHER revenues when the rate is lower than when it is higher, because lower taxes encourage people to invest, whereas higher taxes are prohibitive. When this was brought up in a debate (or an interview, I can't remember), Obama dodged the question. Same with corporate taxes. You lower corporate taxes, they lay off fewer people, pay people more, the government rakes in more in income taxes, but in small amounts from many people rather than large chunks from a small segment of the population who are being punished for being successful. You don't want to overtax the people who are writing the paychecks and selling us all the things we need such as food and gas. McCain will also cut subsidies for domestic ethanol, which in turn will lower grain prices (lower demand) and as a result the price of meat animals who eat said grains. McCain will also pursue domestic drilling to lower gas prices in the here and now while at the same time working on alternative fuel sources for the future.

He also understands that throwing money at a problem does not make it better. Case in point, education. The Chicago and Washington DC areas spend more per student on education than almost anyplace in the nation, yet they have the worst schools. And the same applies to the US when compared with schools worldwide. When this was brought up in debate on Wednesday, and Obama's basic answer was to spend more money. Obama wants to institute new educational programs (like mandatory public service!). McCain wants to improve upon existing programs without increasing funding, which I think is doable. My hubby went to a small private school run by this church where they had no technology, no school lunch program, no extras. For heaven's sake, they learned to read from "Dick and Jane"! And they had higher scholastic performance than any public school in town, despite their lack of funding. When my husband left that school for a public middle school, he found himself several years ahead of his new classmates. So, money is not a solution. And with Sarah Palin as his VP, you know you'll have someone there looking out for special needs kids in particular, an issue which McCain has expressed an intention to address many times.

As far as national security, the fact that many of our nation's enemies have expressed a preference for Obama sends off alarm bells for me. Even if it's not the case that his foreign policy will be some how deficient, the fact that our enemies THINK SO is going to make them very bold, putting us at risk. McCain, I think, is far more experienced in foreign policy. He's not an evil warmonger, as some claim. I don't think anyone who spends 5 years as a POW is going to be a fan of war and its consequences. But he understands that some things are worth fighting for, and that there's a point at which you have to conclude that some people can't be reasoned with.

Obama is a guy who wants to silence people for "lying" about him in Missouri. Who wants to apply the fairness doctrine to people's personal blogs, hampering MY free speech. McCain is perfectly content to allow people to disagree with him, and will make a reasoned case for himself in response rather than silencing dissent and accusing his detractors of racism, nor will he stand for his supporters doing otherwise in his name.

I think he's far more experienced, period. Obama is a guy who nobody knew 5 years ago. He's a guy who's spent his entire political career writing memoirs (parts of which I find troubling) and always campaigning for the next highest office, activities which have kept him so busy he truly hasn't had the time to gain much in the way of experience, or if his voting record is any indication, to actually form a clear opinion on many issues. For me, that doesn't inspire much confidence.

Comments

[twilight-spiral.livejournal.com]

I'm a political science major and I'm getting tired of all the political talk, but I love hearing a different view point (the majority of my fellow poli sci-ers are Obama supporters, so I really don't hear much from the other side).

The economy, personally, I think that it's slightly unfair to ask either candidates about how they would fix the economic crisis. Fixing the problem isn't just about stopping spending it's about other things. What they could promise to do is reinstall the safety measures that Roosevelt installed during the Depression and that both parties dismantled these past decade or so. AIG (AGI) is an insurance company, they shouldn't be playing in the stock market. Roosevelt made things like that a big no no. There should be more regulation. Neither men addressed the issue of stopping outsourcing. That would create hundred of thousands if not millions of jobs in the U.S.

From my interpretation, Obama wants to help small business people and those who cannot afford health care; only those people would be eligible for government health care. I wouldn't get it because I have health care through my university and my mother wouldn't get it because she's ensured through the business she words for. You can't forget that Obama didn't really have time to explain. You can only say so much in the time given. I would think that there would be safeguards ensuring that large corporations can't shove off their employees onto the government.

As for McCain's veteran and POW past. I personally despise it when things like that are used the manipulate the public. I'll agree with you that McCain understands the consequences of war more than Obama does, but just because he fought in a war doesn't make him more capable of dealing with a war. The war against terrorists is not a traditional war. It isn't like WWI or WWII. I don't think blowing them up and fighting a physical war is going to cut it. Not totally, it's a war of ideals. A war of propaganda. Their ideals against ours. They hate us, the western world. You don't stop hate by killing them. I hate to say it, but I don't think McCain gets it and probably not even Obama.

Just because McCain fought in a war doesn't mean his cornered the market on knowing what's worth fighting for and what isn't. Brutal military force isn't going to cut it with the war on terror. We've got to show the world that the U.S. isn't a bully. That our gut reaction isn't violence.

Palin. She's not a feminist and I'm insulted that she'd think of herself as one. I'm sorry but someone who wouldn't allow a woman to get an abortion if she was raped that's horrible. That would be 9 months of emotional rape. I'm Pro-Choice and I simply can't stand the thought that the government or an individual thinks that they have the power to tell me what to do with my body.