Four years ago, I wrote an article on a friend’s website on why I voted for Bush.
Interestingly enough, while Bush has done a couple good things here and there, I feel a little more comfortable voting for McCain.
Some people don’t like telling others who they voted for. That is definitely their right to a private vote, but I obviously don’t think it is a big deal to let people know who you voted for.
My vote in ’04 was definitely a vote against Kerry, as well. He was quite the Democrat and unfortunately indicative of the tragedy that is the Democratic party. But this time my vote is even more for one candidate, McCain.
Now, that doesn’t mean I agree with McCain on every issue. Anyone who needs a candidate who aligns with every issue should seriously run for office. That’s the only way you’ll find one.
AS for McCain, I respect his push for the surge in Iraq, and his willingness to criticize the Bush administration on the war there, but his campaign has been lacking a real plan for Iraq. I think that’s a weakness. I know what McCain says his plan is (stay the course, fight til we win, no time tables, etc), but he really needed to distance himself further from Bush, especially on this issue.
On a positive note about the war, I absolutely believe McCain will make a better commander in chief than Bush or Obama. McCain’s history in the military and a POW is a great background to have for the man who will decide where our troops will go.
Also, on a related note, McCain will see terrorism as a national security issue. The main Democratic philosophy on terrorism (began by Clinton as he severely weakened our national security on this front) is to treat terrorism as a domestic crime. This makes a huge difference. When it is a national security issue, every department MUST cooperate. Treating it as a domestic crime limits the flow of information between agencies.
I believe the best way to kick start and help our economy is to not only keep the Bush tax cuts but make them permanent or cut taxes more. The economy will improve AND the government will see more revenue to pump back into the economy as it sees fit, whether welfare programs or not. McCain is not particularly strong on tax cuts, but strong enough to make him a clear choice over any Democrat, especially one promising to majorly raise taxes on the producers in this country.
The continual push by Democrats to raise taxes to give to the poor betrays their agenda. If they were just for the governmnet getting more money so they could give it to the poor, they would cut taxes, getting more money and therefore helping more poor people. But the Democrats don’t want to just help poor people, they want to punish the rich. It is all over their rhetoric.
McCain has also said he’ll nominate judges that stick to the constitution, not make up judgments as they go or use foreign rulings to decide over what the Constitution cleary says. Legislation from the bench is dangerous, as we continually see with eminent domain cases and child porn. This is important to me.
McCain is soft on some issues I’m not sure I’m prepared to be strong on … my example would be immigration. I see both sides of the issue, and someone willing to compromise a little about it makes sense to me.
McCain is strong, though, on earmarks and other corrupt traditions in Washington. Obama makes a show about it, but he went back on his word when he used public funds. McCain has stayed true to his word on that … and has “suffered” with less money.
McCain also runs a completely volunteer run campaign. He wants to encourage citizen action. Obama is using public funds to pay people to campaign for him. I like McCain’s character on this issue.
In general, I believe McCain to be a person of character, moreso than Obama or Bush, for that matter. Cindy McCain is extremely independent and successful in business. She is deeply involved in charities. She heads them up while Michelle Obama is only on their roster. But the McCain family is personally invested, adopting a child from Mother Theresa’s ministry some years ago and getting that child the health care needed for a better life.
McCain has proven himself in being personally compassionate. I’ll take that over someone who wants to be compassionate with other people’s money any day.
McCain has also done what he could to cross the aisle and make some compromises, even pissing conservatives off from time to time in the process. He still reached out in order to get things done. I think that’s the whole point of our republican system … leaders making compromises for the public good. That’s an important background for a president to have.
One of the most important issues to me is abortion. McCain is pro-life. While I understand the discussions on economic factors and compassion for life after birth, as well, and agree with them, that NEVER justifies a nation legalizing the killing of children. Never. McCain isn’t strongly pro-life, but he has a strong record of being pro-life. Rock on.
So I voted for McCain. Sure he’s old and a little pudgy, but I looked beyond that to see someone I can respect enough to vote for. Many in this country obviously disagree. But I spoke my peace with my single ballot and am willing to ally myself with the losing side, if that becomes a reality. At least my vote might counteract some dead guy or minor in Ohio.
Peace.