Ugh I can't help myself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyro
Somebody make a case for Obama.
I won't run down all his positions, and I don't know what issues are important to you or where you stand on them. If you want to ask follow-ups, I'll do my best to answer them. For now, I'll just talk about the reasons/issues that made me want to vote for him.
Government Transparency and Ethics Reform:
- Supports the creation of an independent watchdog to oversee the investigation of congressional ethics violations.
- Supports ending no bid contracts on all projects over $25,000.
- Would make White House business transparent by disclosing all communications on regulatory issues between White House officials and those outside of government.
- Worked with Senator Coburn (R-OK) to pass the "Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act" that created USASpending.gov, a search engine and database to track approximately $1 trillion in federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans; best described as "Google for Government."
While not a flashy or attractive issue, I believe it's a root problem with our government and Obama's approach is precisely the kind of transparency and ethics reform I'd want to see.
Economy:
- Returning to a reasonable income tax policy. According to the Tax Policy center, 80% of American families (those making $112k or less) would see a greater tax cut under an Obama administration than a McCain administration. An additional 15% of American families ($112k-600k) would see a tax cut or no tax increase. This would be balanced by allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire on the richest 5%, returning their taxes to Clinton-era levels.
- Reregulation of the financial markets. Particular quotes: Institutions borrowing from the government "should be subject to government oversight and supervision," though the degree of government involvement should depend on how much is being borrowed. He's also proposing a new "financial market oversight commission" to search for systemic risks in the financial markets.
- Opposes Social Security privatization.
- Takes a center-left position on trade agreements, rather than a liberal protectionist position. Specifically, supports trade agreements that include strong environmental and labor protections.
Another not particularly sexy area, but one that is plenty relevant. I'm sure plenty of people in this thread will be happy to discuss market regulation. Personally, I believe that financial market regulation is absolutely necessary to ensure that major financial entities aren't widely engaging in practices that pose a systemic risk to our economy. To put it shortly, regulation and oversight are necessary for a stable financial market, but should not extend beyond that which is dictated by the necessity of maintaining stability.
Regarding a balanced budget, every independent analysis of Obama vs. McCain shows that the current proposals of either one would almost certainly not result in a balanced budget; however, McCain's will be further off the mark.
My personal opinion, based on his rhetoric and his plans, is that Obama would be forced to run at a significant budget deficit for at least his first two years. I also suspect that he would be more likely to push for a scaling back or a delay of proposed programs in order to get a more balanced budget, rather than changing his mind on taxes. That's just my impression though; I can't remember off-hand if he's answered this particular "what if."
Women's Rights
- Supports equal pay. McCain does not.
- Pro-choice. McCain is not. Palin is not, even in cases of rape or incest.
Pretty simple here. While I hold a somewhat moderate/conflicting opinion on abortion, I also believe that the pro-life stance is reprehensible when combined with the Republican position of abstinence-only sex education. I could write pages about my thoughts on the abortion issue, but in the absence of moral certitude I err on the side of practicality and public opinion, both of which land me on the moderately pro-choice side.
Other Issues That I Like
- Internets: Supports Net Neutrality.
- Weapon Proliferation: Worked with Senator Lugar (R-IN) to pass legislation that expanded US cooperation in the destruction of conventional weapons, such as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missles, as well as expanded the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction.
- Affirmative Action: Supports affirmative action in some form, but has spoken out against quota systems, and has occasionally indicated he would be supportive of class-based Affirmative Action rather than race-based Affirmative Action.
Other Non-Issues That I Like
- Pragmatist / behaviorist underpinnings: Just read this article from
The New Republic, discussing Obama's advisors and approach to economic and foreign policy issues. There are lots of reasons I'm voting Obama, but I distinctly remember this article in March because it enunciated my general impression of Obama's approach that I hadn't been able to put into words very well at the time.
- Rhetoric: No, not "he gives good speeches." Although he does give fantastically well-crafted speeches. I'm more impressed, however, by the more deliberative, serious, contemplative side of him displayed in debates, forums, and in his books. This is probably a weakness politically. It's often described as his "professorial" side. Personally, I like that side of him more than his oratorical side. But I feel like the only one sometimes.
Anyway, that's a fairly comprehensive list. I left off a lot of things; those that I'm either uncertain he can accomplish but that I do support (health-care reform), those that I have no particularly strong or informed opinion on (immigration), those that I feel should be blatantly obvious (Iraq), or those that I disagree with him on (FISA).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zurvan
McCain:
He appears to be well respected, even by lefty media types, and doesn't appear to suffer bull****. Probably will do what he says, and probably won't do things he doesn't believe in. All this is based on things I've heard about him, even from people who would traditionally bash a Republican presidential candidate.
Given how many issues, positions, and behaviors he's done a complete 180 on in the past four years, I don't see how the bolded statement can be true.
I realize that sounds like a Democratic talking point, but it is true. McCain was never a moderate (he's always been quite conservative on
most issues), but he once was a principled maverick as far as politicians go. That McCain has been nowhere in sight for a long time, particularly in the last two years.
You can attribute that to Republican base-pandering if you want, but given his campaign staff, his recent voting record, and the choice of Sarah Palin for VP, every bit of evidence tells me that it's not just base-pandering.
I'd probably have voted for John McCain in 2000. If he were still the same guy, I'd have to seriously consider voting for him in 2008. But he's not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by metsandfinsfan
We went to war, we made a change for those people, let's be proud of our soldiers and country instead of criticizing the people who put us there like monday morning quarterbacks.
I'm pretty sure I can be proud of our soldiers and our country and still criticize the hell out of the people who put us there, thanks.
Last edited by Madtown; 09-15-2008 at 11:54 AM.