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Libertarian Saturday
Author: TriSec    Date: 08/30/2008 12:54:48

Good Morning!

Well, it's the eve of the Republican convention. From where I sit, it seems that the McCain campaign is in more disarray every day. It's purely anectdotal, but the few republicans that I know in this state are increasingly disappointed with McCain and his policies. At least one person I know is voting for Obama; there's a few others that I've been trying hard to sell Bob Barr to.

I know none of us here are seriously considering voting for Bob Barr. I never was going to vote for him from the very beginning; my candidate didn't make it out of the convention and he has virtually disappeared since then.

But since we ALL must know some republican fence-sitters....you owe it to America to point out that there are alternatives for our misguided friends.

I have found a remarkable website called "On the Issues", that lists the positions of every candidate on every issue....so I'll cherry-pick just a couple of things today and we'll look at Barr vs. McCain.



First and foremost should be the war in Iraq. We all know where McCain stands on this issue...

John McCain on War & Peace
* 1999: US cannot be neutral in situations like Kosovo. (Jan 2004)

Global War on Terror
* Since 1998, championed policy of "rogue-state rollback". (Oct 2007)
* Follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell. (May 2007)
* Prefers not to take troops out of Afghanistan. (Jan 2007)
* The War on Terror is the overriding and transcendent issue. (Oct 2004)
* The War on Terror is a fight between good and evil. (Aug 2004)
* The War on Terror a war we must fight. (Aug 2004)
* Avoiding the War on Terror has cost us dearly. (Aug 2004)
* Bush promised enemies would soon hear from us and they did. (Aug 2004)
* Our adversaries express a hatred for all good in humanity. (Aug 2004)
* 2000: Warned against radical Islamic terrorism. (May 2002)
* 2001: No pinprick responses to 9/11; it's a long haul. (May 2002)
* 2001: Nuclear weapons unnecessary against terrorists. (May 2002)
* Palestine: Against declaration of statehood. (Feb 1999)

Iran
* Strategic bombing of Iran OK only if imminent threat. (Dec 2007)
* Congress can only declare war; not micromanage wars. (Dec 2007)
* Keep military option open against Iran, even if no nukes. (Dec 2007)
* No direct talk with Iran; talk is over-rated. (Dec 2007)
* Iran & Syria must not get nukes; they'll exterminate Israel. (Nov 2007)
* Iran is state sponsor of terrorism; no more evidence needed. (Nov 2007)
* Congressional consultation before attacking Iran's nukes. (Oct 2007)
* Sanctions to prevent Iranian nukes; but don't count on UN. (Sep 2007)
* Iran is sponsor of terrorism; US strike if they get nukes. (May 2007)

Iraq War
* Quoting "100 years in Iraq" is out-of-context. (Apr 2008)
* Despite deserters & Basra loss, Iraqi military doing better. (Apr 2008)
* Costs will be far greater should we fail in Iraq. (Feb 2008)
* Not a matter of how long in Iraq, but a matter of casualties. (Feb 2008)
* Don't let enemy lay in the weeds until we leave. (Jan 2008)
* Support the surge and bring troops home with honor. (Jan 2008)
* Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender. (Jan 2008)
* Staying for 100 years OK, if US casualties are low. (Jan 2008)
* The Iraq war was worth the price in blood and treasure. (Jan 2008)
* Ok with American presence in Iraq for 100 years. (Jan 2008)
* FactCheck: Yes, criticized Rumsfeld, but not before invasion. (Jan 2008)
* Help Maliki government move forward as rapidly as possible. (Nov 2007)
* I would much rather lose a campaign than lose a war. (Oct 2007)
* Stategy in Iraq: defeat al-Qaeda; limit Iran's influence. (Sep 2007)
* Iraq is now the central front in the war against al-Qaeda. (Sep 2007)
* Americans want to win; bin Laden thinks he's winning now. (Sep 2007)
* Democrats proposing failure in Iraq by withdrawing. (Sep 2007)
* Reducing military presence has never in history won a war. (Sep 2007)
* Bring troops home the right way: home with honor. (Sep 2007)
* Surge is working; let it continue until it succeeds. (Sep 2007)
* Tragic mistake of Iraq: no plan to deal with success. (Aug 2007)
* Support the surge even if benchmarks are not met. (Aug 2007)
* Did not read NIE before war vote, but was fully briefed. (Jun 2007)
* If new strategy not working by Sept., we still must succeed. (Jun 2007)
* Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq. (May 2007)
* Consequences of failure: regional chaos & we must come back. (May 2007)
* In hindsight, Iraq invasion was still justified. (May 2007)
* Timetable would be catastrophe, even if Iraq wants it. (May 2007)
* Advocated leaving Somalia, but no comparison to Iraq. (May 2007)
* War has been mismanaged, but we are now on the right track. (May 2007)
* War in Iraq has not gone well: dire but not hopeless. (Mar 2007)
* Al Qaeda may take over Iraqi oilwells. (Mar 2007)
* Prefers more troops for surge, but 20,000 is sufficient. (Jan 2007)
* Bush now has the right strategy, and it's our last chance. (Jan 2007)
* Generals advising "no more troops" was a failed policy. (Jan 2007)
* McCain Principle: Committing troops means completing mission. (Jan 2007)
* If we leave Iraq, terrorists will follow us home. (Jan 2007)
* Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order. (Nov 2006)
* Looting, terrorism in Iraq a result of US mistakes. (Sep 2004)
* The Iraqi war was necessary after years of failed diplomacy. (Aug 2004)
* Saddam would have acquired terrible weapons again. (Aug 2004)
* The Iraqi war was necessary, achievable and noble. (Aug 2004)
* The cause of the Iraqi war was just. (Apr 2004)
* 1991: Urged formally declaring war on Iraq over Kuwait. (Jan 2004)

Voting Record
* Congress has no authority to cut off funds for Iraqi use. (Jan 2007)
* Voted NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
* Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
* Voted YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding. (Apr 2005)
* Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
* Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
* Voted NO on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
* Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
* Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism. (Jan 2002)
* CIA assessments ib Iraqi WMDs were all wrong. (Mar 2005)
* Belief in Iraqi nukes was poor analysis of aluminum tubes. (Mar 2005)
* Belief in Iraqi BWs was based on one unreliable person. (Mar 2005)
* Belief in Iraqi CWs was based on flawed imagery. (Mar 2005)
* Iraq never had delivery systems to attack US mainland. (Mar 2005)
* CIA never questioned assumption that Saddam had WMDs. (Mar 2005)
* Conclusions on Iran and North Korea are all classified. (Mar 2005)
* Support the completion of the US mission in Iraq. (Feb 2007)
* Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)



Bob Barr on War & Peace

* America is not an occupying power. (Jun 2008)
* Don’t rush to make new anti-terrorism laws. (Nov 2001)
* Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
* Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)


Hmm, that seems a little thin. How about Health Care?

John McCain on Health Care

* Harness market competition for comprehensive reform. (Feb 2008)
* Preserve quality of health care by individual responsibility. (Dec 2007)
* Give individuals $2500 refundable tax credits for healthcare. (Oct 2007)
* Control health costs so manufacturers stay competitive. (Oct 2007)
* No mandated universal system; no mandated insurance coverage. (Jun 2006)
* We should be able to reimport drugs from Canada. (Jan 2006)
* Include a health savings account in healthcare reform. (Jan 2006)
* The problem with health care in America is inflation. (Jan 2006)
* Supports tax-free medical savings accounts & tax credits. (Nov 2004)
* 1989: No mandatory catastrophic Medicare coverage. (Jan 2004)
* 1993: To socialize healthcare would be to ruin it. (Jan 2004)
* Greater consumer access to generic drugs. (May 2002)
* Higher taxes on cigarettes. (Jan 2000)
* Matching funds for seniors citizens’ prescription drugs. (Dec 1999)
* Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children. (Dec 1999)
* Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
* Address powerlessness when faced with health care crises. (Jul 1999)
* “Patient rights” means value human life over dollars. (Jul 1999)
* Expand medical savings; community health; & tax deductions. (Jul 1999)
* Patient Rights: access; MDs over HMOs; grievance process. (Jul 1999)
* Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care. (Jul 1999)
* Full doctor-patient discussion even when it costs HMO. (Jul 1999)
* Supports patient rights; regulate nicotine as a drug. (Jul 1998)
* More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice. (Jul 1998)
* Favorite cause: Cleft-palate surgery for children. (Oct 2007)

Voting Record
* Allow appealing HMO decisions externally & in court. (Jul 1999)
* Voted NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
* Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
* Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
* Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
* Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
* Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
* Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
* Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
* Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
* Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
* Voted NO on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
* Tax credits for those without employee health insurance. (May 2002)
* Tax deduction for long-term care insurance. (May 2002)
* Support telemedicine for underserved areas. (May 2002)
* $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors. (May 2002)
* Rated 25% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)



Bob Barr on Health Care

* Voted YES on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
* Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
* Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
* Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998)



Since this website is very thick with quotes, it's making for a looooong blog entry this morning. We'll stop with Civil Rights...

John McCain on Civil Rights

* Supports CA Prop. 8: one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
* Voted against MLK holiday in 1983; now calls that a mistake. (Apr 2008)
* Don't ask, don't tell is working; don't tamper with it. (Jun 2007)
* Confederate flag on top of capitol was wrong; in front is ok. (May 2007)
* Leave gay marriage to the states. (Jan 2007)
* John Lewis was as courageous as anyone could ever hope to be. (Apr 2004)
* Fear did not restrain Dr. King to resist repression. (Apr 2004)
* 1994: No Senate hiring discrimination by sexual orientation. (Jan 2004)
* Support evangelism but don’t pander to evangelical leaders. (Feb 2000)
* Inter-racial dating ban is idiotic and cruel. (Feb 2000)
* Career-long history of supporting Indian causes. (Jan 2000)
* Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools. (Jan 2000)
* Confederate flag is a “symbol of heritage”. (Jan 2000)
* Allow, but not mandate, school prayer. (Jan 2000)
* Would be “comfortable” with a gay president. (Dec 1999)
* Flying Confederate flag should be left to states. (Sep 1999)
* 1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999)
* Indian gambling OK; lottery is not. (Aug 1999)
* Hollywood should voluntarily self-censor sex and violence. (Jul 1999)
* Supports Amendment against flag-burning. (Apr 1999)
* We don’t need laws against Spanish language & culture. (Mar 1999)
* Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas. (Jul 1998)

Voting Record
* Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states. (Nov 2006)
* Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
* Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
* Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
* Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
* Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
* Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
* Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
* Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
* Require 90 day delay for compliance before ADA lawsuits. (May 2002)
* Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002)
* Rated 0% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
* Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights. (Dec 2006)
* Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)


Bob Barr on Civil Rights
* Criticizes efforts to restrict rights of homosexuals. (Jun 2008)
* Applying habeas in Guantanamo reaffirms fundamental liberty. (Jun 2008)
* Authored Defense of Marriage Act. (May 2008)
* Threats to liberty in post-9/11 world require libertarianism. (May 2008)
* The Nanny State is getting increasingly intrusive. (Apr 2008)
* Took post with ACLU based on fundamental common interests. (Dec 2003)
* Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
* Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
* Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
* Sponsored bill for "Privacy Impact Statement" on new rules. (Apr 2002)


So....we'll stop here for the moment. I have the feeling I'll be going back to this well quite a few times in the weeks ahead. It really is a remarkable website....check out your own reps, senators, governor, party platforms....it's all there!

 

45 comments (Latest Comment: 08/31/2008 05:39:55 by livingonli)
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