The Truth About John McCain
by Texas Cowboy
Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 10:17:33 AM PDT
dailykos.com
Politics in Washington become more troublesome as the decades go by. Politicians all tell a good ‘story’ but the truth is rarely do they ever effect change to benefit hardworking, middle and lower class Americans. Americans, who work hard every day, pay their taxes, raise their children and expect a government that will ‘work for them’. It has become more evident under the Bush Administration and Republican party during the past 7 and a half years, that lying has become the accepted norm. Fear mongering has become the political tactic of the decade and the disintegration of the constitution has become a process in which Republicans use to create a dictatorship in Washington.
In 1995 Republicans promised to eliminate spending on over 100 of the largest governmental programs, but under Bush and the 6 year Republican controlled Congress, these programs actually grew over 27% and the government has grown over a whopping 40%. Bush has been the biggest spending President in the last 30 years. Under the Republican Administration the surplus left in the coffers of the American public has been eliminated. Consider the following Republican financial state-of-affairs bestowed upon U.S. Citizens.
Texas Cowboy's diary :: ::
This past February the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) predicted the federal deficit for fiscal year 2008 could be as high as $500 Billion. (The deficit is the fiscal year difference between what the US Government takes in from taxes and other revenue and the amount of money the Government spends.) "Thanks McCain and Republicans!"
Adding to the staggering figure is the US Debt. (A combination of the total US deficit, plus accumulated items not included in the tradition US budget). The deficiencies require the US Treasury to borrow money to raise cash need to keep the Government operating. To date the US Government has spent over $536 Billion; most of this accumulated debt is the cost of the Republican Iraq War.
Now, let’s figure this out that equals $4,681 owed per each American household, that equals $1,721 per person and that means the Republican President is spending $341.4 Million per day to cover the cost of Bush’s war.
Let’s go further; add to all of this that Bush has borrowed an additional $100 Billion to support his economic stimulus package. Let’s keep going. Now add the amount offered by the US Dept of the Treasury that Bush has borrowed $2,519 Trillion from foreign countries to support US outstanding debts and keep the government running. Where did the Republican get this money? From China, Japan, and a host of other countries many of which now own a huge part of the United States.
Thanks to McCain, Bush and the Republicans, America is certainly better off today than we were in 2000! Yeah - right!
These are the ideals supported by John McCain, more of the same. And why not, John does not know any better. After 30 years in government, he has learned to play the game much better than say, a two-term Senator from Illinois.
Now imagine if Bush and the Republican Congress had done the right thing after 9/11 when they went after the terrorists in Afghanistan, had stayed in Afghanistan, instead of misleading and lying to the American public that Saddam Hussein was the biggest threat. No WMDs and Al-Queda was not even in the country under Saddam’s rule.
"Thanks McCain and the Republicans!" Never have so many people paid so dear a price for an opportunity turned into greed, government mismanagement and squandered opportunities. Because of Bush and his Republican cronies, the US has lost thousands of American lives, spent nearly a trillion dollars, alienated allies and neglected terrorists’ safe havens in other countries. Almost every American knows that the Republican supported war had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11.
I submit the military wars of Viet Nam, WWI, WWII and the Korean War were fought on terms people in that time in history understood. Here in the 21st century, Americans and the world realize fighting terrorism requires new thinking and new war strategies as evidenced by the failed Bush war in Iraq. John McCain and the Republican Party would continue the degradation of the United States by enacting the same military polices decades old, which do not and will not work in protecting Americans.
Take a close look at John McCain.
As a military veteran myself (Viet Nam) I applaud his service to his country. I also applaud the tens of thousands of US Citizens who fought in wars defending America. Of course most Republican Congressional leaders never fought in a war, were never drafted as I was, never lifted a gun in defense, but they all shout from the rafters how patriotic they are. Yes they are patriots, just as every American who supports this country is, including those dissenting voices who have the right to speak out against injustice, greed, fraud and abuse by Bush and his Republican supporters.
John McCain proclaimed himself as an Independent Republican. A ‘straight talker’. However it has never been more evident that he is just another Republican who is part of the ‘good ole boys’ club just like every other Washington Insider; and as a career politician, he’s just had much, much more experience at it than Obama.
But in McCain’s defense, it is not his fault, he just does not know any other way! He knows his friend George lied to Americans and got away with it and he knows because Bush did not honor his commitments to the American public that John can flip flop on issues and still have the support of his Republican base. It is what career Republicans do.
John McCain’s staff has more lobbyists than Baskin Robbins Ice Cream has flavors. For example, Randy Scheunemann, founder of Orion Strategies represented foreign governments between 2003 and 2008 and earned $540,000 from his foreign clients in 2007 alone. McCain has now paid Scheunemann $56 250 over a 5 month period for consulting fees on foreign matters. While this is not illegal, it is certainly unethical, but it is what Republicans do.
John had so many lobbyists on his staff that at least 6 members had to leave McCain’s campaign because of discovered conflicts of interests. As a Washington insider McCain knows how the Republican system works and he is making the most of it as he continues to be the recipient of Washington lobbyists. He is a Republican career politician.
On July 10th, former Sen. Phil Gramm, top economic adviser to John McCain, referred to the economic slowdown as "a mental recession" and called the United States "a nation of whiners." This is another example of McCain being out of touch with hardworking Americans. It is preposterous for McCain to suggest the problems of Americans struggling with lost jobs, rising cost of gas to groceries, stagnant wages, housing downturns and record foreclosures, that this is all a ‘mental recession’.
Additionally UBS Financial has disclosed many Americans are hiding money in foreign UB accounts in an effort to avoid paying taxes and defraud American taxpayers. Oh yeah, Phil Gramm, McCain’s economic advisor (former) is employed by UBS.
In all fairness, Barack Obama does not allow registered lobbyists to work for his campaign but he does have some lobbyists as informal advisors. The difference is McCain’s lobbyists work directly for him and we all know how Washington works, and John will have to return the ‘favor’ to all the lobbying groups if he ever becomes President.
Interestingly enough, McCain, in March 1996, offered a bill that in his words "would ban a candidate or a candidate’s authorized committee from paying registered lobbyists." He also added "registered lobbyists who work for campaigns as fundraisers clearly represent a ‘conflict of interest". "When a campaign employs an individual who also lobbies that Member, that perception of undue and unfair influence is raised." Can you say "Flip-Flop"?
John McCain initially opposed the Bush Republican tax cuts, stating they would benefit only the wealthiest of Americans. Now McCain supports them. Can you say "Flip-Flop?"
McCain makes no bones about staying in Iraq. Look at his statements:
September 24, 2002 - Of the prospect of war in Iraq, John McCain said, "I believe that success will be fairly easy –".
September 29, 2002 - "I believe that we can win an overwhelming victory in a very short period of time –" John McCain.
March 24, 2003 - Of the ouster of Saddam and the Baathists: "There’s no doubt in my mind that once these people are gone, that we will be welcomed as liberators – "John McCain.
March 18, 2004 - Asked, about a long-term commitment in Iraq, "are you talking about something in terms of South Korea, for instance, where you would expect U.S. troops to be in Iraq for decades?" "No," McCain answered. "I don’t think decades, but I think years. A little straight talk, I think years. And I hope that we can gradually reduce that presence – "John McCain.
January 31, 2005 - "I would hope that we could bring them all home. I would hope that we would probably leave some military advisers, as we have in other countries, to help them with their training and equipment and that kind of stuff."
"...I think one of our big problems has been the fact that many Iraqis resent American military presence. And I don’t pretend to know exactly Iraqi public opinion. But as soon as we can reduce our visibility as much as possible, the better I think it is going to be – "John McCain.
January 3, 2008 - When a speaker at a town hall, five months ago, referenced the President’s forecast that we might stay in Iraq for 50 years, McCain cut him off.
"Make it a hundred! We’ve been in Japan for 60 years. We’ve been in South Korea 50 years or so. That would be fine with me. As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed. That’s fine by me ... – "John McCain.
Now John McCain says he believes the US may be out of Iraq by the end of his first term. Can you say "Flip-Flop"?
McCain’s position on torture is quite curious. In the past he was against torture but after working with Bush and other Republicans, McCain changed his mind and now supports torture. The Washington Post reported:
In federal court and in legal filings, Justice Department lawyers contended that a detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, cannot use legislation drafted by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to challenge treatment that the detainee's lawyers described as "systematic torture."
...."Unfortunately, I think the government's right; it's a correct reading of the law," said Tom Malinowski, Washington advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "The law says you can't torture detainees at Guantanamo, but it also says you can't enforce that law in the courts."
Can you say "Flip-FLOP"?
Military Support for McCain:
McCain’s has a distorted view of military Veterans who support him. He stated recently "I received the Highest Award from Literally Every Veterans Organization in America."
According to the Veterans of America who rate political support, they provided the following:
thinkprogress.org
Iraq & Afghanistan – Veterans of America gave McCain a grad of "D" for his record of voting against veterans. (Obama got a B+)
Disabled Veterans of America noted McCain’s dismal 20% voting record on veteran’s issues (Obama had 80%)
In a list of ‘Key Votes’ Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) notes McCain "Voted against us 15 times" and "Voted for us only 8." (Obama voted for 12 ties, 1 against)
McCain voted against a Senate amendment providing $19 billion for these facilities (would be paid for by eliminating tax cuts for highest income Americans)
(Senate Roll Call, Vote 7,2/2/06 see democrats.org & senate.gov
Sen. Jim Webb asked John McCain to support and co-sign his GI Bill which would improve education benefits to Iraq & Afghanistan veterans (March 2008) McCain refused to support the bill, as did George Bush, stating "the new benefits may prompt active members of the military to leave for civilian lift." thehill.com
The American Legion states "he [McCain] is dead wrong voting against the GI Bill" latimes.com
McCain missed voting in Congress 14 times in 2008 on the Iraq war bills thehill.com
McCain voted against setting minimum deployment periods for U.S. solders serving in Iraq & Afghanistan (Sep 19, 2007 senate.gov
McCain voted against $20 million for the Dept of Veterans Affairs for Medical Facilities in May 2006. (http://senate.gov/)
McCain voted against$1.5 million increase for funding for Veterans medical services funding March 2006 (to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes senate.gov.
Other military veterans have also spoken out about McCain’s voting record. The Veterans within the AFL-CIO statement may be found at: aflcio.org.
"As a veteran, I respect John McCain’s military service. But as a family man trying to make ends meet, I’m having a hard time with McCain’s record in Washington."—Jim Wasser, IBEW Local 176, Vietnam veteran.
McCain’s Military voting record:
McCain opposed the 21st Century GI Bill and voted against increased funding for veterans’ health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (ABCNews.com, 5/26/08; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.Con.Res. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/2004; S.Amdt. 149 to S.Con.Res. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/2005; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.Con.Res. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/2006; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/2007)
McCain’s position on other issues:
McCain wants to tax your health care. McCain wants to make employer-provided health benefits part of taxable income, imposing a new tax on working families, while giving the top 10 health insurance companies $1.9 billion in tax breaks. (Health08.org Forum, 10/31/07; Center for American Progress, 4/9/08)
McCain supports privatizing Social Security and raising the Medicare eligibility age. (Wall Street Journal, 3/3/08)
"I know NAFTA was a good idea." McCain has voted for every unfair trade deal that has crossed his desk and supported tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. (Des Moines Register and www.BigThink.com interview, 11/07; H.R. 3450, Vote 395, 11/20/93; H.R. 4444, Vote 251, 9/19/00; S. 1637, Vote 83, 5/5/04)
McCain voted to privatize federal jobs and cut workers’ overtime pay, while voting in favor of foreign trade deals that outsources American jobs. (H.R. 5631, Vote 234, 9/6/06; S. 256, Vote 27, 3/7/05)
"Economics is something that I’ve really never understood." John McCain will even admit it himself—he just doesn’t get it. ("The Swamp," Chicago Tribune, 12/18/07)
"I fought for freedom, too. But I vote for my family. I simply can’t vote for John McCain."
—Jim Wasser
In my opinion, it is time to break the cycle of Washington insiders and career politicians from leading this country. Although it will likely take decades to undo the tremendous damage caused by George Bush, supported by John McCain, at least Americans have an alternative from someone who is not a Washington Insider.
I urge all Americans to consider the following before voting Republican:
-McCain Accepted $291,658 from Big Oil in 2007.
-McCain Missed Opportunity to End Big Oil Tax Breaks to Invest in Clean Energy.
-McCain Tax Plan will give a huge windfall for ExxonMobil, Others.
-McCain was Officially Inducted into the Petroleum Club on March 27, 2008.
-McCain Repeatedly Voted Against American Consumers and for Rich Oil Companies.
-McCain Said U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil Was a Security Threat, yet he voted against reducing that dependence.
America is heading to a point of no return as families are stretch to the brink of financial ruin, oil companies continue to line their pockets with huge profits at the demise of the American family, the stock market continues to fall and gas and food prices continue to rise. Americans should understand McCain will follow the same path as Bush and the Republican Party. It’s time for a change, it’s time for a new direction, it’s time to get rid of the decades old Washington Insiders. It’s time for someone who can lead in a new direction, motivate Americans and clean up Washington.
Do you really think you’ll be better off four years from now with another Republican in the White house?
Now is the time for Americans to stand up for freedom, for democracy, for doing what is right for America. In these challenging times, Americans must keep the faith; they must stand strong against those Republicans who would destroy the very foundation of these United States, our Constitution. Americans must stand as one; stand against the injustice perpetrated by big oil companies, by greedy politicians who are in the pockets of lobbyists; by those who would seek to destroy those very liberties so many citizens fought and died for. We have heard "Freedom is not free"; and we must do the right thing and pull our heroic troops out of Iraq, rebuild our decaying infrastructure and ensure big oil and the wealthy pay their fair share and stop hidding their wealth in foreign banks. I believe America, with the right leadership, can be great again and can restore our role as friend and ally in the world, as we once held. WE MUST STAND TOGETHER; we must continue to let our voices be heard and our VOTES counted. We must vote for Barack Obama! |
