Commentary - September 2008

Your Choice for President

Policies, Not Personalities

by Lyle Brennan

The media has turned this year’s presidential race into a popularity contest, but nothing could be further from the truth. Make no mistake about it – it’s a battle for control of the world’s most powerful nation, and our votes will determine not only how U.S. domestic policy will be shaped over the next four years, but also how we will deal with international terrorist groups, and even whose finger will be on the nuclear trigger.

That is why it’s more important than ever to look beyond the personalities, the posturing and the slogans, and examine the policies of the two men running for president this year. What issues matter most to voters in this election? Let’s start with the most basic function of national government, which is protecting our country against its enemies.

National Security

Barack Obama has said on several occasions that he wants to open a personal dialogue with the leaders of foreign nations such as Iran, Cuba and North Korea. This would give them the legitimacy they want on the world stage, at no cost. John McCain would demand that these rogue nations meet preconditions such as making democratic reforms or abandoning nuclear weapons technology before we agree to speak with them as equals. It would be great to think that we could hold hands with Kim Jong Il and Raul Castro, sing Kumbaya together and become friends, but the real world doesn’t work that way.

I think everyone is eager to bring our troops home from Iraq, but the candidates have presented two very different ways this should be done. On July 14, Obama said, “Unlike Senator John McCain, I opposed the war in Iraq before it began, and would end it as president.” Now that the troop surge he opposed seems to be working, and we have finally begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel, Obama has said his first priority as president would be to end the war. What message does this send to terrorists in Iraq? All they have to do is wait for Obama to take office and we’ll send our troops home, no matter what the situation on the ground. McCain favors maintaining troop levels until the situation has stabilized. According to his Website, “Senator McCain believes that defeat in Iraq would have terrible consequences for America’s security, and he will lead the effort to succeed there.”

McCain says we should be prepared to use military force if necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, while Obama wants to start direct talks with Iran’s government, including offering economic incentives. As President Bush pointed out, negotiating with the leaders who control Iran makes about as much sense as appeasing the Nazis prior to the second world war.

The National Economy

Obama has become popular by promising more government dollars for all, including more money for education, transportation and job programs. He wants to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and raise the minimum wage. Obama wants to create a universal healthcare system and make health insurance coverage for all children mandatory. Who’s going to pay for all these great ideas? Look in the mirror, because it will be you and me, the taxpaying public.

While McCain is not as fiscally conservative as I might like, at least he seems to have some sense of accountability, and he has come out on several occasions in favor of the line-item veto to eliminate some of the pork in federal bills. He has proposed freezing discretionary spending, pending a top-to-bottom review of all federal programs. Here’s something else to consider: assuming that Congress will be controlled by the Democrats, do you want their tax-and-spend policies to go unopposed? McCain would at least provide a counterbalance.

Social Issues

McCain has come out against late-term abortions, including partial-birth abortions, and has said Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned. Obama recently stated, “I have been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under

Roe v. Wade a priority as President.” He has spoken out against any restrictions on late term abortions. If you value unborn human life, you cannot in conscience vote for Obama.

McCain supports our Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms, while Obama has a consistent record of endorsing legislation to ban handguns, enforce local firearms bans, and put limits on gun purchases.

One of the most important duties of the next president will be to make judicial appointments, especially to the Supreme Court, which currently has four members over 70 years of age. It’s important to appoint judges who will carry out the provisions of the U.S. Constitution, not legislate from the bench. Social legislation on issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion, stem cell research and other concerns cannot be left in the hands of judicial activists.

Experience Counts

Obama served in the Illinois State Senate from 1997 to 2004, and took office as the U.S. Senator from Illinois in January 2005, less than four years ago. John McCain served two terms in Congress before assuming office as a U.S. Senator from Arizona in 1987, more than 20 years ago. McCain is best prepared to lead and defend our nation as Commander in Chief from day one.

I urge you to consider the issues when deciding how to vote this year. If you’re unsure of how a candidate stands on an issue that’s important to you, go to his official site on the Internet, or ask someone at his local campaign office. Use those answers to make a logical decision about who will best represent your interests in the White House.

Lyle Brennan Publisher
COMMENTS? email: lyle@nbj.com