Sizing Up The Field II: My Final Politics Post For 2008

Dear America (and the 3 or 4 people who read this blog),

Here is a summary of your two candidates for president:

Political Foundation and Record
McCain: Son and grandson of US Navy admirals; US Navy pilot; seven years prisoner of war; combat unit commander; twenty two years US Senator authoring and sponsoring significant legislation.
Obama: Protege of Marxist/Leninist ideologues and “Bash America First” lunatics; product of Chicago Democratic political machine, one of the most corrupt in the nation; Two years in Senate, where he was absent or voted “Present” 50% of the time; no accomplishments or achievements, honors or awards;

Foreign Policy Approach
McCain: America’s interests first
Obama: Make sure everyone likes us

Energy
McCain: Domestic drilling for oil and gas, nuclear energy, invest in alternative energy programs. Basically, try everything.
Obama: Same as McCain, except no drilling for oil or gas. Why our own natural resources should not be utilized has not been explained. Also was against nuclear power, but may have changed his mind.

Government Spending And Taxes
McCain: Reduce domestic government spending; tax relief for corporations (who, you know, employ a lot of the middle class and make the stuff the middle class buys)
Obama: Trillion dollar Marxist wealth redistribution social welfare spending programs, which will be paid for by taxing corporations and the “top 5% income earners”. Exactly how taxing corporations will not trigger layoffs and higher prices for goods and services has not been explained. Exactly why it’s fair to apply a high tax rate to the top 5% income earners (who already account for more than 50% of tax revenue), while 50% of Americans pay no taxes at all, has not been explained, either. States that the role of government is to help everyone pay their bills; however, the Constitution of the US - a document 'progressives' love in the abstract but in every instance ignore in the particular - says nothing to the effect of it being the government’s responsibility to help everyone pay their bills, and nothing at all about the higher income earners being required to shoulder almost all the tax burden required to have the government help pay everyone's bills.

Health Care
McCain: Promotes choice and personal responsibility. Believes that putting market incentives in place will encourage and reward efficient behavior. How will he be able to provide enough assistance to those who are now uninsured by simply redistributing the tax breaks now only enjoyed by those currently covered? No idea. But his plan does not call for the government to "solve" everyone's health care needs.
Obama: Socialized medicine, anyone? His "right" to "free" health care will cost over $100 billion a year. Would the Obama health care system work? It would clearly get almost everyone covered sooner rather than later. The real question is how would it be sustained. Are their cost containment strategies going to support a system that is affordable in the long run? No. More likely, a $100 billion infusion of new health care spending by the Obama plan would actually increase the rate of health care inflation and ultimately create an imperative for more draconian government intervention in the health care markets.

Abortion
McCain: Has stated that he is pro-life. Don’t know how serious he is about it.
Obama: Stated that 1st action will be to sign “Freedom of Choice Act”, which will wipe out any and all state restrictions on abortion, including parental notification; Judging by his defense of his opposition to the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, he’s cool with infanticide, too.

As Potential Commander In Chief
McCain: Distinguished military record; seems to grasp (at the very least) basic military strategy
Obama: Gave an anti-Iraq war speech to a crowd of anti-Iraq war demonstrators; almost visited wounded troops in Germany, but decided to go shopping in Berlin instead; does not know the difference between a strategy and a tactic

War On Al Queda Strategy
McCain: Finish job in Iraq. Provides rough sketches of how to completely wipe out Al Queda, but is smart enough not to tell everyone what the next move is.
Obama: Screw Iraq. Save Darfur. Says he plans to invade Pakistan, though he does not seem to have much faith in US military leaders.

Voting Record
McCain: Sided with George W. Bush 96% of the time, whose approval rating is about 18%.
Obama: When he bothered to vote, sided with far left, the same far left in control of present Congress whose approval rating is about 9%.

Bi-Partisanship
McCain: Has co-sponsored bi-partisan legislation.
Obama: Talks about bipartisanship, but has never co-sponsored bi-partisan legislation.
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Judging by the polls, it seems that more of you prefer Obama. Fine. You want him, you've got him. Enjoy Jimmy Carter, Installment II. Sorry I won't be joining the party. Socialism and infanticide are not my thing. Instead, I'll be gearing up for 2012:


Jerry, over and out.