So, anyway, as you can see, I seem to have touched a nerve about this whole “McCain is a douchebag” thing.  So, to be fair, I’ve decided to state my opinions on the issues that matter to me, which is what a voter should do to decide who to vote for, and see where the candidates stand on them so I can decide who to vote for using “informed debate” as my acquaintance says.

I believe a woman has the right to choose what to do with her body.  If she wants an abortion, she can have one.  That is what is legal in this country right now, and that’s how it should stay.  I don’t believe that women should use abortion as birth control, but I do not believe that Roe v. Wade should ever be overturned, and I do not believe abortion is a “tragedy,” as one of the candidates says below

McCain: Opposes abortion rights. Has voted for abortion restrictions permissible under Roe v. Wade and now says he would seek to overturn that guarantee of abortion rights. Would not seek constitutional amendment to ban abortion.

Obama: Favors abortion rights.

VERDICT: Looks like I’m rolling with Obama on this one.

DEATH PENALTY

I believe in the whole eye for an eye thing.  I think if you kill an innocent person in cold blood, you deserve to be killed.  I also believe our judicial system is a flawed thing, and we need to only kill people that are guilty way beyond a reasonable doubt.  We can not have innocent people being executed.  It just can not happen.

McCain: Has supported expansion of the federal death penalty and limits on appeals.

Obama: Supports death penalty for crimes where the “community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage.” As Illinois lawmaker, wrote bill mandating videotaping of interrogations and confessions in capital cases and sought other changes in system that had produced wrongful convictions.

VERDICT: Both support death penalty, but as I stated above, I would want to know way beyond a reasonable doubt that the person we are executing is guilty, so I am going with Obama here, too.

EDUCATION

I believe the education system in this country is in shambles, and it needs a major reformation.  Teachers are not paid what they deserve.  Too much emphasis is placed on state testing to determine the funding for students and where students will be placed.  No Child Left Behind is a failure.  George W. Bush’s little project is an atrocity, and the students know that they will not be “left behind.”  When I was a teacher, I was told that the students pass to the next grade.  It doesn’t matter if they failed my class completely.  They go to the next grade, and I must give a reason as to why they failed and turn it into a whole big process.  What happened to repeating a grade?

McCain: He is not proposing a federal voucher program that would provide public money for private school tuition, in contrast to his proposed $5 billion voucher plan in 2000. Only proposes expansion of District of Columbia’s voucher program. Sees No Child Left Behind law as vehicle for increasing opportunities for parents to choose schools. Proposes more money for community college education.

Obama: An $18 billion plan that would encourage, but not mandate, universal pre-kindergarten. Teacher pay raises tied to, although not based solely on, test scores. An overhaul of No Child Left Behind law to better measure student progress, make room for non-core subjects such as music and art and be less punitive toward failing schools. A tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college costs for students who perform 100 hours of community service a year. Obama would pay for part of his plan by ending corporate tax deductions for CEO pay. Has backed away from his proposal to save money for education by delaying NASA’s manned moon and Mars missions.

VERDICT: Neither candidate totally demolishes the No Child Left Behind law, but Obama’s plan is closest to my beliefs on this issue.

GAY MARRIAGE

This is a big one for me.  No, not because I am gay, but because many of my friends and relatives are.  I believe gay people have the same rights as straight people.  They deserve to get married and have the rights married couples have.  People talk about the sanctity of marriage.  How is there sanctity in marriage when over 50% of marriages end in divorce?  People need to get off their high horse and treat everyone with equality.  This is another basic civil rights issue that upsets me.

McCain: Opposes constitutional amendment to ban it. Says same-sex couples should be allowed to enter into legal agreements for insurance and similar benefits, and states should decide about marriage. Supports the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and gives states the right to refuse to recognize such marriages.

Obama: Opposes constitutional amendment to ban it. Supports civil unions, says states should decide about marriage. Switched positions in 2004 and now supports repeal of Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and gives states the right to refuse to recognize such marriages.

VERDICT: Again, not too happy with either answer totally on this one.  I know Obama and McCain both believe that marriage is strictly for men and women, which pisses me right the fuck off.  But, Obama still has more pluses in his column than McCain on this issue.  I just wish someone had the balls to not care what the rednecks and conservatives in this country think and came out and said, “Yeah, I support gay marriage.  Now make me your president!”

GLOBAL WARMING

I think the world is dying, and it’s dying quickly.  Major things need to be done to slow the melting of the ice caps, rising sea levels, animals being confused because of weather changes, major hurricanes, etc.

McCain: Broke with President Bush on global warming. Led Senate effort to cap greenhouse gas emissions. Favors plan that would see greenhouse gas emissions cut by 66 percent by 2050.

Obama: Ten-year, $150 billion program to produce “climate friendly” energy supplies that he’d pay for with a carbon auction requiring businesses to bid competitively for the right to pollute and aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. Joined McCain in sponsoring earlier legislation that would set mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Increase federal fuel economy requirements beyond 35 mpg.

VERDICT: Again, neither candidate’s answer is great.  But, you can’t see what they’ll do until they get in office.  Al Gore definitely knows what he is talking about.  I should have voted for him in 2000.  I blame myself for that asshole that is currently in office and what has happened to this country since.

HEALTH CARE

The insurance companies in this country are raping the American people.  As shown in the movie SICKO, countries that have socialized health care have their ups and downs, but for the basic everyday problems, it is the way to go.  Sure, if you want to have a non-essential operation, you might have to wait months, but you can still get it.  I just think so many people are dying and being bankrupted by the economy and the medical companies that something major needs to be done.

McCain: $2,500 refundable tax credit for individuals, $5,000 for families, to make health insurance more affordable. No mandate for universal coverage. In gaining the tax credit, workers could not deduct the portion of their workplace health insurance paid by their employers.

Obama: Mandatory coverage for children, no mandate for adults. Aim for universal coverage by requiring employers to share costs of insuring workers and by offering coverage similar to that in plan for federal employees. Says package would cost up to $65 billion a year after unspecified savings from making system more efficient. Raise taxes on wealthier families to pay the cost.

VERDICT: Totally rolling with Obama on this one.  Employers and people who make more money shouldn’t be skating and not paying anything.  Health insurance should be paid for by the government, even if it means higher taxes.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

I’m all about kicking people out of the country that are living here illegally.  Learn how to do things legally like everyone else.  If the U.S. won’t let you live here, take a hint.  We are full.  Stay where you are.  You can visit us, and maybe work here if you get a visa or whatnot, but don’t take advantage of a country.  Don’t make me pay taxes for you that you aren’t paying.  Stupid bastard.

McCain: Sponsored 2006 bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to stay in the United States, work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, paying fines and back taxes and clearing a background check. Now says he would secure the border first. Supports border fence.

Obama: Voted for 2006 bill offering legal status to illegal immigrants subject to conditions, including English proficiency and payment of back taxes and fines. Voted for border fence.

VERDICT: This is the same as gay marriage almost.  The candidates have no balls to say what needs to be said: ILLEGALS ARE ILLEGAL.  KICK THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY.  NO QUESTIONS.

IRAQ WAR

One of the biggest mistakes in my lifetime.  This war is fought over oil.  Saddam may have been a bad guy, but that’s his country, and he kept shit in line over there.  Now look at it.  Innocent Americans dying for corporations.  I’ve got friends over there.  They need to come back.  NOW.

McCain: Opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal, saying latest strategy is succeeding. Supported decision to go to war, but was early critic of the manner in which administration prosecuted it. Was key backer of the troop increase. Willing to have permanent U.S. peacekeeping forces in Iraq.

Obama: Spoke against war at start, opposed troop increase. Voted against one major military spending bill in May 2007; otherwise voted in favor of money to support the war. Says his plan would complete withdrawal of combat troops in 16 months. Initially had said a timetable for completing withdrawal would be irresponsible without knowing what facts he’d face in office.

VERDICT: With Obama on this one.  I’d take all the troops out tomorrow, though.  Let Iraq and the other countries fight it out.  If things get out of hand, drop some nukes on the entire area.  Game, set, match.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Yeah, I’d like this to be around when I am old and gray, if I live that long.  I think the age should be REDUCED in all actuality.  Raise taxes if you need.  If 55 is considered the age at which people retire, as shown by the AARP sending stuff to people when they turn 55, then people should start getting retirement benefits when they are 55.  We need to take care of our citizens.  If they want to continue to work, fine.  If they don’t, great.  More opportunities for the younger people.  But, raising the age of social security to hope it lasts a few more years is ridiculous.  Just because people are living longer doesn’t mean their benefits shoud start later in life.

McCain: “Nothing’s off the table” when it comes to saving Social Security.

Obama: Would raise payroll tax on wealthiest by applying it to portion of income over $250,000. Now, payroll tax is applied to income up to $102,000. Rules out raising the retirement age for benefits.

VERDICT: Neither candidate says anything really appealing.  Obama actually says something, though, as opposed to McGenericResponse over there.

TAXES

I don’t care about taxes much.  If it’s something that is good for everyone, such as universal health care, then tax everyone.  I do believe that the more you make, the more you should be taxed.  It should be a uniform system.  If you make “x” amount of dollars, you are taxed “y.”  Corporations need to stop paying their CEOs $50 million bonuses and pay more taxes.

McCain: Pledged not to raise taxes, then equivocated, saying nothing can be ruled out in negotiating compromises to keep Social Security solvent. Twice opposed Bush’s tax cuts, at first because he said they were tilted to the wealthiest and again because of the unknown costs of Iraq war. Now says those tax cuts, expiring in 2010, should be permanent. Proposes cutting corporate tax rate to 25 percent. Promises balanced budget in first term, says that is unlikely in his first year.

Obama: Raise income taxes on wealthiest and their capital gains and dividends taxes. Raise corporate taxes. $80 billion in tax breaks mainly for poor workers and elderly, including tripling Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credit for larger families. Eliminate tax-filing requirement for older workers making less than $50,000. A mortgage-interest credit could be used by lower-income homeowners who do not take the mortgage-interest deduction because they do not itemize their taxes.

VERDICT: Rolling with Obama on this one.  Cutting corporate taxes?  Are you fucking insane, old man?

I think that is really all I care about.  I mean, I just want to be able to live my life.  I want to live the American dream.  I want to own a house.  RIght now, that’s not possible.  Prices have skyrocketed in the past eight years.  Some people think that is a sign of a strong economy.  And maybe it is.  But, if the wages aren’t matching the skyrocketing costs that are padding people’s pockets and making the rich richer, then what does it matter?  If a family can’t afford to own a house, something is wrong with this country.  We need change.  Barack Obama is the better choice for me, and, I believe, for the entire country.

Oh, and by the way, the acquaintance arguing with me above about informed debate and all that.  I told him he should vote for Kerry in 2004 because Bush was obviously an idiot and the country was going downhill.  He told me, “You have to tell me why I should vote for Kerry.”  Basically, he was saying he was voting along party lines for Bush unless he had a compelling reason not to.  I thought the evidence was laid out right there, but I just find it kind of amusing that this person is whining to me now that I have no opinions of my own and I am just walking the party line and telling people to vote for Obama because he is a Democrat.  Not true.  If we have any chance of saving this country, things need to change.  Getting someone who doesn’t have antequated beliefs like many conservatives do to lead this country is a great start.

“I’m Michael Denninger, and I approved this message.”