If you are among those who have been frightened senseless by the relentless Republican fear machine, convinced that Barack Obama is a Muslim, a socialist, and the best friend a terrorist could have, go ahead and vote for McCain. If, on the other hand, you are planning to vote for John McCain because you agree with his positions on the issues, a realistic look at what is likely to happen should McCain win makes a pretty good argument for giving Obama a chance.
Let’s take a look, issue by issue. Solving the present economic crisis is job one. Job growth is the key to avoiding a deep and lengthy recession. (See my post from October 28th.) Obama has a solid plan for creating jobs by putting people to work on public works and renewable energy projects. McCain is still pushing the trickle down approach and his main vehicle for accomplishing job creation is to keep the Bush tax cuts (which he initially opposed) in place. The Bush tax cuts were passed with an expiration date (2010). Congress would have to act to keep the cuts beyond the expiration date - they won’t. Even if you believe in the magic of voodoo economics (I don’t) McCain’s trickle down approach is dead in the water. (Sorry rich people.)
Reducing health care costs is another urgent need. Obama’s inclusion of an option to buy into the health plan that covers government workers offers a reasonable alternative for people who are uninsured or unhappy with their current plan. It does not force anyone to sign on for a government run plan. It will reduce the number of uninsured. It’s not as good as my plan, but it’s an improvement to the present system. McCain says this is not the time to raise anyone’s taxes, then proposes that we tax health insurance benefits as income for the first time ever. That sounds like a tax increase to me. It doesn’t matter. Again, even if McCain is elected, the Democrats are not going to pass his plan. (At the risk of ruining their alleged fondness for increasing taxes.)
Article comments
1 - Lisa Solod Warren
I found this to be a thoughtful piece, Winston. Good on you.
2 - John the Mac
My friends, let me give you some straight talk. I have been fighting for this country since I was 17 years old. I will keep fighting --- we will have more wars... more wars. My friends, I promise you this... we will have more wars...
When I am commander-in chief I will make Joe Lieberman my Defense Chief . Joe likes war more than I do.
I will make Joe the Plumber my Secretary of Labor. Joe will make everyone in America successful and rich.
We’re going to cut out the pork and feed it to the Muslims,,, that’s the American dream.
When I’m elected president we’re going to stop buying oil from countries that don’t like us. My friends, I don’t care if our vehicles don’t run for lack of fuel or some Americans freeze their asses off because their heat is off. I have seven homes but so what? It‘s hot in Arizona.
Obama will have an international crises if he is elected. If I am elected I will cause the international crisis.
When I am president we will win in Iraq and come home in victory even if it takes 100 years.
My opponent is measuring the drapes in the White House. We are going to win this election and Cindy already knows the measurements.
Let me give you some more straight talk
I am an American, We will fight in the streets, we will fight in the fields, we will fight on the beaches, we will fight, fight, fight... Stand up and fight with me. We never quit.
By the way are there any veterans here?,, stand up so we can recognize you...
3 - Glenn Contrarian
John the Mac -
Your reply reminded me of a small epiphany I had a few years back. Veterans come home and are honored for the sacrifices we made - all gave some, some gave all, as the saying goes.
And there's this woman who works for me. She's African-American, was a single mom with five kids raising them by herself in the seventies. Three turned out very good. One was killed in gang violence (he was a bystander). Another committed suicide with a gun.
And yet she still strives to help her remaining children (and grandchildren, now).
She tells stories of her memories of the civil rights struggle, like the whites-only restrooms and water fountains, and then there was the time that she was a little girl asking Mormon missionaries if blacks could go to heaven, too. They told her "Yes, but blacks go to dog-and-cat heaven."
Whenever someone thanks me for my twenty years of military service, I think of her and wonder why the hell I'm more deserving of honor and gratitude than she is.
For those who are wounded or killed in combat, yes, we should honor them deeply...but there are hundreds of thousands of single mothers out there holding down two jobs every day trying desperately to raise their kids properly, and in my opinion, they are at least as deserving of honor and gratitude as any veteran not wounded or killed.
4 - pontificus
Obama's platform is irrelevant. Look at his track record. And look at the track record of the Democratic Congress, especially the leadership.
5 - Dan(Miller)
I'm not sure of the context, but here is what Senator Obama may think of those who support Senator McCain's platform. Of course, he may have had something quite different in mind.
Dan(Miller)
6 - Independent Voter
Q, Who do you want in charge if something bad happns?
A. Someone who could distinguish Iraq from Afghanistan as the source of those who attacked the U.S on 9/11.
7 - Cindy D
Excellent analysis Winston!
And let's not forget who will be "in charge" of energy if McCain would win.
(shivers)
8 - ejhickey
I am not voting. Both candidates have economic plans that would increase the federal budget to obscene levels furthering the decline in our our currency and the rest of our financial system. It is generally accepted that both candidates have to be less than truthful to avoid alienating voters. Both candidates voted for the government takeover of the financial industry and rewarding incompetent banks and brokerages with a bailout. In this environment it is impossible to choose which candidate is better or worse. therefore I am sitting this one out. Good luck to the rest of you