Why you should vote for him:
As a veteran and victim of torture, Sen. John McCain has the most significant experience of the after-effects of war as a soldier on the ground. He firmly opposes the use of torture as an interrogation technique and specifically denounced waterboarding as a torture method when the Bush Administration attempted to claim otherwise. He has a strong record for environmental issues, advocating “stewardship” and responsible management of the earth. He would allow parents to choose whichever school they want to send their child to, which would allow greater options and flexibility for parents.
McCain is an Independent vote favorite, because he isn’t as conservative as President George W. Bush or fellow candidate Gov. Mike Huckabee. A senator from Arizona, he recognizes that immigration is a serious issue and understands that more will have to be done than just building a fence. Although he has allowed some illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens under certain circumstances, he won’t allow complete amnesty. He also accepts that global climate change is occurring and knows something must be done to deal with it.
Why you shouldn’t vote for him:
In terms of change, McCain fails miserably. On foreign policy issues, he is the candidate who resembles President Bush’s policies the most and whose voting record regularly endorses Bush’s policies, with the notable exception of torture. He would not withdraw our troops from Iraq, but actually increase the numbers of soldiers on the ground. While he sympathizes with war veterans, his plan of action would make more of them.
His economic policies and tax cuts stand to benefit corporations and big business the most, increasing their profitability but not impacting the American worker as significantly. His opposition to abortion with exceptions for rape, incest or life threatening of the mother essentially punishes women for having sex. He opposes universal health care but intends to reduce spending, and the only benefit he proposes would be a tax credit for those who have insurance, one that comes down to less than $250 a month. McCain’s greatest strength is his familiarity, but because the vast majority of us are dissatisfied with the way things are, this is why he won’t — and shouldn’t – be elected.
-Ruthie Kelly is a journalism junior.
-This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed – include your full name, major and year in school.
