SodaHead - Seuskeeper's Questions

Why do people on opposites sides of any given issue have so much difficulty reaching each other?

2008-09-22T18:42:11Z

Why do people on opposites sides of any given issue have so much difficulty reaching each other?

12 answers, +3 raves

It does not matter if it is a political debate, a religious debate, or any kind of debate, it appears as though people cannot communicate sufficiently in order to get their point at least read by the opposite SH. It seems as though everyone speaks (posts) but nobody listens (reads). Even if a person's opinion is unchanged by a post, at least the poster should be civilized towards the other person. Dont you agree?

Some people just believe that the rudest or the loudest opinion wins the coveted trophy.	33% (4 answers)
All of the above	33% (4 answers)
Undecided	17% (2 answers)
Many people are not here to exchange ideas, but to further their own agenda.	8% (1 answers)
None of the above	8% (1 answers)
People are afraid of another person's opinion because they are shakey on their own opinion.	0% (0 answers)
People feel that if they listen to another person than they lead that person to believe that they have reached agreement.	0% (0 answers)

How Well Do You Know Seuskeeper?

2008-08-14T23:15:32Z

How Well Do You Know Seuskeeper?

8 answers, +5 raves

http://www.quizyourfriends.com/take-quiz.php?id=0808141852393...

So-So	50% (4 answers)
Pretty well!	25% (2 answers)
She is one of my best Sodahead friends.	13% (1 answers)
Undecided	13% (1 answers)
Don't know her and don't want to!	0% (0 answers)

Do you know where McCain stands on issues?

2008-07-28T14:10:07Z

Do you know where McCain stands on issues?

9 answers, +4 raves

I have listed his issues and my areas of agreement or disagreement with him. This comes from ............ *Pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere. (Feb 2008) GOOD *GovWatch: 1999: Don't force women to have illegal operations. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Abortion issue shows what kind of country we are. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Concerned if women undergo illegal dangerous operations. (May 2007) GOOD *Supports federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. (May 2007) GOOD *Prosecute abortion doctors, not women who get them. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Family Conference” if daughter wanted an abortion. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Abortion OK if raped; and no testing for rape. (Jan 2000) BAD *Supports fetal tissue research; against over-intensity. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest rape exceptions. (Jan 2000) BAD..NO ABORTION *Support adoption and foster care; work together on abortion. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Wants Roe vs. Wade made irrelevant, but would not repeal it. (Aug 1999) BAD *Opposes partial-birth abortions and public financing. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Nominate justices based on experience, and values. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Restrict abortions; no partial-birth; no public funding. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Supports repealing Roe v. Wade. (May 2007) BAD *Voted YES on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008) GOOD *Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006) GOOD *Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education and contraceptives. (Mar 2005) BAD *Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004) GOOD *Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003) GOOD *Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000) GOOD *Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998) BAD *Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004) GOOD John McCain on Budget and Economy *Bailing out Bear Stearns necessary to protect economy. (Apr 2008) GOOD *Key is to not to bail out homeowners who speculated. (Apr 2008) BAD *Things are tough now, but we are better off than in 2000. (Jan 2008) NOT TRUE *May have to go further to fix the subprime lending situation. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Recession is partly psychological and not inevitable. (Jan 2008) GOOD *I am well-versed in economics; I was at the Reagan Revolution. (Jan 2008) OPINION *Impose some fiscal discipline to revive the economy. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Will be able to reduce war costs and have a stable Middle East. (Jan 2008) UNREALISTIC *Reform insurance to cover violent weather patterns. (Jan 2008) GOOD *To avoid recession, stop out-of-control spending. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Loss of economic strength leads to losing military strength. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Republicans have forgotten how to control spending. (Nov 2007) GOOD *AdWatch: Outrageous to spend $233M for bridge to nowhere. (Nov 2007) GOOD *FactCheck:Bridge-to-Nowhere never built; would serve 200,000. (Nov 2007) GOOD *FactCheck: Criticized Woodstock museum but skipped vote. (Nov 2007) BAD *Congress spends money like a drunken sailor. (May 2007) GOOD *Veto all pork-barrel bills and announce pork spenders. (May 2007) EXCELLENT *Use veto power to reduce government spending. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Distribute surplus: 23% tax cuts; 62% Social Security. (Jan 2000) UNDECIDED *$9B of pork in current budget bills; cut subsidies. (Oct 1999) GOOD *For Balanced Budget Amend., and off-budget Social Security. (Jul 1999) GOOD *List of budgetary spending priorities. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Supports Balanced Budget Amendment. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Apply surplus to Social Security, Medicare, tax cuts and debt. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005) GOOD *Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000) GOOD *Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997) GOOD *Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997) GOOD *Maintain and enforce existing spending caps in the future. (Sep 1998) GOOD John McCain on Civil Rights *Voted against MLK holiday in 1983; now calls that a mistake. (Apr 2008) 1ST BAD THEN GOOD *Dont ask dont tell is working; dont tamper with it. (Jun 2007) BAD AND JUST ASSININE WHY SHOULD ANYONE HAVE TO HIDE WHO THEY ARE? *Confederate flag on top of capitol was wrong; in front is ok. (May 2007) HORRIBLE *Leave gay marriage to the states. (Jan 2007) GOOD *John Lewis was as courageous as anyone could ever hope to be. (Apr 2004) UNDECIDED *Fear did not restrain Dr. King to resist repression. (Apr 2004) HUH? *1994: No Senate hiring discrimination by sexual orientation. (Jan 2004) GOOD *Support evangelism but don’t pander to evangelical leaders. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Inter-racial dating ban is idiotic and cruel. (Feb 2000) EXCELLENT *Career-long history of supporting Indian causes. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Confederate flag is a “symbol of heritage”. (Jan 2000) BAD *Allow, but not mandate, school prayer. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Would be “comfortable” with a gay president. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Flying Confederate flag should be left to states. (Sep 1999) BAD *1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Indian gambling OK; lottery is not. (Aug 1999) BAD *Hollywood should voluntarily self-censor sex and violence. (Jul 1999) UNREALISTIC *Supports Amendment against flag-burning. (Apr 1999) GOOD *We don’t need laws against Spanish language and culture. (Mar 1999) GOOD *Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas. (Jul 1998) BAD *Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states. (Nov 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006) GOOD *Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006) GOOD *Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002) BAD *Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001) GOOD *Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000) BAD *Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities and women. (Mar 1998) GOOD *Voted NO on ending special funding for minority and women-owned business. (Oct 1997) GOOD *Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996) BAD *Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996) BAD *Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995) GOOD *Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995) BAD *Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001) GOOD *Require 90 day delay for compliance before ADA lawsuits. (May 2002) GOOD *Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002) GOOD John McCain on Corporations *More deductible expensing of equipment investments. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Cut corporate income taxes to keep jobs here. (Jan 2008) GOOD *People worry about corporations unduly influencing elections. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005) BAD *Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing and restrictions. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001) GOOD John McCain on Crime *Judges have limited scope under the Constitution. (Nov 2006) BAD *More death penalty; stricter sentencing. (Jan 2000) GOOD *More community policing; enough hate crime laws. (Jan 2000) UNDECIDED *Prosecute youths as adults, but separately; explore sources. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Urges hearings on how FBI can deter Hate Crimes. (Aug 1999) GOOD *1st Amend. not a shield for hate groups. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996) GOOD *Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996) BAD *Voted NO on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995) GOOD *Voted YES on repealing federal speed limits. (Jun 1995) BAD *Voted YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms. GOOD (May 1994) *Voted YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994) BAD *Establish an FBI registry of sexual offendors. (Oct 1996) GOOD John McCain on Drugs *Mexico should extradite drug dealers to the US. (Mar 2007) GOOD *Administration is AWOL on the war on drugs. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Public/private partnerships for drug treatment. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Prevention and education apply to alcohol as well as marijuana. (Oct 1999) GOOD *We’re losing drug war - just say no. (Oct 1999) UNREALISTIC *$1B for detection equipment for more border interdiction. (Mar 1999) GOOD *Mexico: balancing act between free trade and stopping drugs. (Mar 1999) GOOS *Restrict methadone treatment programs. (Feb 1999) BAD *Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996) GOOD *Sponsored bill on drug testing for major league sports. (May 2005) GOOD *Sponsored bill for grants to Indian tribes to fight meth. (Dec 2006) GOOD John McCain on Education *Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts. (Jun 2007) BAD *Believes in evolution, but sees the hand of God in nature. (May 2007) GOOD *Against nationally imposed standards and funding strings. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Teach virtues in all schools. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Enlist retirees for tutoring. (Nov 1999) GOOD *Good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally. (Aug 1999) BAD *Help unqualified teachers find other lines of work. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Supports tax-free savings accounts for education expenses. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Supports “Reading Excellence”; and rewarding good schools. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Supports at-risk programs; homeless ed.; anti-drop-out ed. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Internet access, with filters, at every school and library. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Merit pay and competency testing for teachers. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Ed-ACT Bill: college plans; language proficiency. (May 1999) GOOD *Place parents and children at the center of education. (Feb 2008) GOOD *We need more choice and competition in education. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Charters, homeschooling, and vouchers are key to success. (Dec 2007) BAD *Local charters are the best Arizona schools. (Mar 2000) NO OPINION *Let states decide if they link vouchers to student testing. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Use sugar, oil, and ethanol subsidies to finance vouchers. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Tax breaks for charters - not from public school funds. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Vouchers and charters will improve our school system. (Oct 1999) BAD *Nationwide test of school vouchers. (Sep 1999) GOOD *$5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Tax-funded vouchers for private schools or charter schools. (Jun 1999) BAD *Shift policy-making from bureaucrats to parents. (May 1999) GOOD *Vouchers needed where teachers fail. (May 1999) BAD *Vouchers for any schools; more charter schools. (Jul 1998) BAD *Unrestricted block grants--let states decide spending. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Voted NO on $52M for 21st century community learning centers. (Oct 2005) BAD *Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005) BAD *Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005) BAD *Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001) BAD *Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001) GOOD *Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education and debt reduction. (Apr 2001) GOOD *Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997) NO OPINION *Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996) GOOD *Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994) GOOD *Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994) BAD *Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001) GOOD *Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001) BAD *Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001) GOOD *GovWatch: 2003: Ethanol doesn't increase energy independence. (Feb 2008) BAD * End reliance on petro-dictators with market-based reform. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Be more active in addressing the issue of climate change. (Jan 2008) UNDECIDED *In favor of cap-and-trade. (Jan 2008) UNDECIDED *FactCheck: Oil independence will take 25 years, not 5 years. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Climate change is real and must be addressed. (Dec 2007) UNDECIDED *Climate change is real; nuclear power is solution. (Oct 2007) UNDECIDED *Public pressure on oil industry to invest in alternatives. (Oct 2007) GOOD *FactCheck: nuclear plants do emit no GHGs, but do have waste. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Reinvest oil profits in nuclear power. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Ethanol made no sense in `05 but with $60/bbl it makes sense. (May 2007) GOOD *2000: Held hearings on mounting evidence of climate change. (Jan 2004) UNDECIDED *2000: Criticized Bush's withdrawal from the Kyoto Treaty. (Jan 2004) GOOD *Energy 2001: 1st Republican to sign onto reducing GHGS. (May 2002) GOOD *Strength Clean Air and Water Acts; but not Kyoto. (Jan 2000) UNDECIDED *Supports alternative fuels, emission controls, and CWA. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005) BAD *Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005) BAD *Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005) BAD *Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005) BAD *Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003) BAD *Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003) GOOD *Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003) YES *Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002) BAD *Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002) UNDECIDED *Voted YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000) GOOD *Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999) BAD *Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997) GOOD *Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994) GOOD *Sponsored bill for greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005) GOOD *Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998) UNDECIDED John McCain on Environment *Support much tougher regulations on emission requirements. (Jan 2008) UNDECIDED *FactCheck: Criticized $3M bear DNA study, but voted for it. (Nov 2007) BAD *Economic and environmental interests not mutually exclusive. (Sep 2007) GOOD *1996: Put 3.5B acres of land into wilderness protection. (Jan 2004) GOOD *Preserving wilderness among proudest achievements. (Sep 2002) GOOD *Preserve and help our National Parks. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Repeal ban on new roads in wilderness due to bad process. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Use park visitor fees for park development bonds. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Preserve natural resources for future. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on including oil and gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005) GOOD *Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001) *Voted YES on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998) GOOD *Voted NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997) GOOD *Voted NO on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994) GOOD *Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994) GOOD *End commercial whaling and illegal trade in whale meat. (Jun 2001) *Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002) *Make EPA into a Cabinet department. (May 2002) GOOD *EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004) GOOD *Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998) GOOD John McCain on Families and Children *Supports flex-time and unpaid family leave. (Nov 2004) GOOD *Unfiltered Internet robs our children of their innocence. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Parents should be active in media kids are exposed to. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Label violent media products like we label cigarettes. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Media Responsibility Act requires video and music labeling. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Violence in media caused Littleton shootings. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999) John McCain on Foreign Policy *No circumstances where president can disregard treaties. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Maintain Cuban embargo; indict Castro. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Situation in Pakistan very serious, but not nuclear threat. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Naive to exclude nukes; naive to exclude attacking Pakistan. (Aug 2007) GOOD *We have good reason to expect solidarity of our allies. (Aug 2004) GOOD *Suu Kyi and the people of Burma will rule themselves someday. (Apr 2004) GOOD *Overthrow “rogue” governments to keep Americans safe. (Feb 2000) GOO *Africa: Money for AIDS would be lost to corruption. (Jan 2000) *Concern over Chechnya spreads to Caucasus oil reserves. (Jan 2000) *Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya. (Jan 2000) GOOD *IMF’s Russia policies bad, but agency is OK. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Urge Japan to open economy to ensure Asian recovery. (May 1999) GOOD *Clinton abandoned framework of “assertive multilateralism”. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Korea: ease starvation, but avoid war during death throes. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Cuba: No diplomatic and trade relations. (Jul 1998) GOOD China *Support the One-China policy, don’t weaken it. (Mar 2000) GOOD *$1M political donations by Chinese Army should not be legal. (Jan 2000) GOOD *China: Advocate for political reforms, and guard Taiwan. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Inaction on spying led to Chinese nuclear improvement. (May 1999) GOOD *Engage with China as they become a great power. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Pay dues to UN after UN reforms. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000) GOOD *Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary and Czech. (Apr 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998) *Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996) GOOD *Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994) GOOD *Sponsored bill suspending Russia's participation in the G-8. (Feb 2005) GOOD *Libyan disarmament was a CIA success story. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Impose sanctions and an import ban on Burma. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio and TV stations. (May 2007) GOOD *Call for Burma's junta to release political prisoners. (Jun 2007) GOOD John McCain on Free Trade *Globalization is an opportunity--reduce barriers to trade. (Feb 2008) *Consider subsidies a mistake, and oppose them. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Every time US went protectionist, we paid heavy price. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Supports ethanol, but by exporting, not by subsidies. (Oct 2007) GOOD *No environmental provisions in trade agreements. (Nov 2004) GOOD *Supports opening border to Mexican trucks. (May 2002) *Against foreign sales corporations (offshore tax breaks). (Feb 2000) *Substitute trade treaties for protectionism. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Admit China to WTO based on their concessions. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Free trade with any country except security risks. (May 1999) *Retaliatory protectionism is a “murder-suicide pact”. (May 1999) GOOD *Chile in NAFTA is good, but Fast Track isn’t. (May 1999) GOOD *China: Keep open trade and diplomacy; but keep eyes open. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Mexico: balancing act between free trade AND stopping drugs. (Mar 1999) GOOD *NAFTA has had unambiguously positive impact on US. (Mar 1999) *Pro-NAFTA, pro-GATT, pro-MFN, pro-Fast Track. (Jul 1998) *Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006) *Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005) *Voted YES on establishing free trade between US and Singapore. (Jul 2003) *Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003) *Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002) *Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001) GOOD *Voted NO on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001) GOOD *Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000) GOOD *Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000) GOOD *Voted NO on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market. (May 1995) *Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement. (May 2002) *Sponsored bill for trade with post-Orange Revolution Ukraine. (Apr 2005) John McCain on Government Reform *No litmus test for Supreme Court nominees on McCain-Feingold. (Feb 2008) *Eliminate broken government programs--20% of all program. (Feb 2008) GOOD *FactCheck: $35B in pork meant $484 per child, not $1000. (Jan 2008) GOOD *More sunshine on the Working Group on Financial Markets. (Jan 2008) GOOD *The sheriff not Miss Congeniality, about pork bills. (Jan 2008) GOOD *FactCheck: Claim of 24 years with no earmarks; mostly true. (Jan 2008) GOOD *No signing statements: either sign or veto bills. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Focus on homeland safety, restoring trust, and fiscal policy. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Authored line-item veto law; struck down by Supreme Court. (Oct 2007) GOOD *There's only one president; V.P. sticks to official duties. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Reform election system, and get rid of electors. (Nov 2000) GOOD *Close corporate loopholes; veto pork-barrel spending. (Jan 2000) GOOD *No term limits; they throw away the good with the bad. (Jan 2000) *Drain the big money swamp to kill lobbyist mosquitoes. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Influence peddling helps the Chinese Army. (Sep 1999) GOOD *End sugar subsidy; corporate welfare at its worst. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Politicans poll, posture,and influence-peddle. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Supports Line-Item Veto and Balanced Budget. (May 1999) GOOD *Supports term limits on Congress. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Campaign Finance Reform *The 527s need to be eliminated. (Oct 2007) *527s are clearly illegal; reform intended for small donors. (Apr 2007) *Supported then opposed transparency in grassroots reporting. (Jan 2007) GOOD *Campaign finance reform needed to restore faith in politics. (May 2002) GOOD *Finance reform will prevail if we have the votes and the guts. (May 2002) GOOD *Supported non-severability as key component of CFR. (May 2002) *CFR passes Senate; focus on House, not court challenges. (Apr 2001) GOOD *Differentiate “electioneering” from real issue ads. (Mar 2001) GOOD *Clearer rules about campaign finance; no soft money. (Jan 2001) GOOD *Replace battle of bucks with battle of ideas. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Fight iron triangle: special interests, money, and legislation. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Campaign reform that’s best for country, not for GOP. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Take away soft money and “hurt the unions bad”. (Jan 2000) *Money corrupts politics, and soft money corrupts absolutely. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Campaign Finance: ban both labor union and corporate donations. (May 1999) GOOD *Gets legislation passed despite lack of congeniality. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Voted NO on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007) *Voted YES on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006) *Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on banning soft money contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002) *Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002) GOOD *Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions and corporations. (Apr 2001) GOOD *Voted NO on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999) *Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997) GOOD *Voted YES on Approving the presidential line-item veto. (Mar 1996) GOOD *Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995) GOOD *Sponsored bill subjecting 527s to political committee rules. (Feb 2005) GOOD *Sponsored bill prohibiting non-legislated earmarks. (Jul 2005) GOOD *Sponsored bill disclosing lobbyist info and gifts on Internet. (Dec 2005) GOOD *Rethink flawed Presidential daily intelligence briefings. (Mar 2005) GOOD *CIA yielded to conventional wisdom, not political pressure. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Sponsored bill allowing individual votes on each earmark. (Feb 2006) GOOD *Reduce federal government size, scope, including military. (Sep 1998) John McCain on Gun Control *I know how to use guns; but I don't own one. (Nov 2007) GOOD *Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Dont hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types. (Sep 2007) *Calls for GOP tolerance of closing gun show loopholes. (May 2002) GOOD *Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Supports ban on certain assault weapons. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Voted against Brady Bill and assault weapon ban. (Aug 1999) *Guns are a problem, but so are violent web sites and videos. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Punish criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights. (May 1999) GOOD *Youth Violence Prevention Act restricts guns for kids. (May 1999) GOOD *Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005) GOOD *Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004) GOOD *Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on more penalties for gun and drug violations. (May 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on loosening license and background checks at gun shows. (May 1999) *Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998) *Ban gun registration and trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007) John McCain on Health Care *Harness market competition for comprehensive reform. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Preserve quality of health care by individual responsibility. (Dec 2007)GOOD *Give individuals $2500 refundable tax credits for healthcare. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Control health costs so manufacturers stay competitive. (Oct 2007) GOOD *No mandated universal system; no mandated insurance coverage. (Jun 2006) GOOD *We should be able to reimport drugs from Canada. (Jan 2006) GOOD *Include a health savings account in healthcare reform. (Jan 2006) GOOD *The problem with health care in America is inflation. (Jan 2006) GOOD *Supports tax-free medical savings accounts and tax credits. (Nov 2004) GOOD *1989: No mandatory catastrophic Medicare coverage. (Jan 2004) GOOD *1993: To socialize healthcare would be to ruin it. (Jan 2004) GOOD *Greater consumer access to generic drugs. (May 2002) GOOD *Higher taxes on cigarettes. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Matching funds for seniors citizens’ prescription drugs. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999) GOOD *Address powerlessness when faced with health care crises. (Jul 1999) GOOD *“Patient rights” means value human life over dollars. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Expand medical savings; community health; and tax deductions. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Patient Rights: access; MDs over HMOs; grievance process. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Allow paying extra for choice of doctors and care. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Full doctor-patient discussion even when it costs HMO. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Supports patient rights; regulate nicotine as a drug. (Jul 1998) GOOD *More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Favorite cause: Cleft-palate surgery for children. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Allow appealing HMO decisions externally and in court. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Voted NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb *2006) *Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. * (Nov 2005) GOOD *Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005) GOOD *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) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs and collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001) GOOD *Voted YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001) GOOD *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) GOOD *Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997) GOOD *Voted NO on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996) GOOD *Tax credits for those without employee health insurance. (May 2002) GOOD *Tax deduction for long-term care insurance. (May 2002) GOOD *Support telemedicine for underserved areas. (May 2002) GOOD *$350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors. (May 2002) GOOD John McCain on Homeland Security *Improve human intelligence to get Osama bin Laden. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Surveillance of overseas communications is ok. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Ok to hold even US citizens as enemy combatants. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Consult lawyers on war decisions; no half-cocked war basis. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Ran the largest squadron in the US Navy. (Oct 2007) GOOD *After 9/11, ask Americans to join military or AmeriCorps. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Let loose smart, tough spies to catch Bin Laden. (Oct 2007) GOOD *His Military Commissions Act ended up denying habeas corpus. (Oct 2007) *1973: Spokesperson for Operation Homecoming. (Oct 2007) GOOD *1977:Appointed as Navy liaison to Congress. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Cited 245 pork projects, or $3.5M waste in defense bill. (Oct 2007) GOOD *I have spent my life leading on national security issues. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Radical Islamic extremism is a hydra-headed challenge. (Aug 2007)GOOD *I support the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war. (Jan 2006) *We must provide our children a strong, better country. (Aug 2004) GOOD *A lack of complacency should not provoke a lack of confidence. (Aug 2004) GOOD *We do not have as much to fear as we had in the past. (Apr 2004) *Those who gave their lives deserve to be remembered. (Apr 2004) GOOD *First reaction to Sept 11: This is war. (May 2002) GOOD *Argued for base closings even in the wake of 9/11. (May 2002) *Channel fear into productive missions and activities. (May 2002)GOOD *“Rogue state rollback” avoids use of US troops. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Disagrees with Perot: No more POWs in Vietnam. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Accepts gays in military under current policy. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Military’s political leaders need military backgrounds. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Women have proven themselves in combat-no restrictions. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Bombing useless targets in Vietnam destroyed US morale. (Nov 1999) GOOD *Vietnam was a worthy cause despite losing. (Nov 1999) GOOD *Pres. needs experience more than briefing books. (Sep 1999) GOOD *Discard ABM Treaty and develop a missile defense. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Use force, with US control, only for vital interests. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Clean up waste in defense acquisition. (May 2007) GOOD *Eliminate defense pork, but increase most other defense. (Nov 2004) GOOD *Terminate C-130, B-2, and Seawolf; use funds to modernize. (Dec 1999) *Politicians keep unneeded bases open for political purposes. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999) GOOD *$6.4B of military spending waste is a disgrace. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Raise military pay to avoid military draft. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Military personnel on food stamps is a national disgrace. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Europeans should spend more on defense, within NATO. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Hiding torture is wrong, and harms US credibility abroad. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Waterboarding is torture; we are not going to torture people. (Nov 2007) GOOD *Waterboarding is torture; and as A.G., Mukasey will declare it. (Nov 2007) GOOD *Torture supported only by people without military experience. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Torture is ineffective as interrogation ; for world opinion. (May 2007) GOOD *Close Guantanamo Bay prison; announce no-torture policy. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Torture has never worked throughout history. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Vietnam generation still haunted by specter of Vietnam. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Casualty of Vietnam was loss of America's faith in herself. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Worked with John Kerry on Vietnam POWs. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Immutable principle of war: luck is unreliable. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Vietnam not wrong, but how it was fought and led was. (Sep 2002) GOOD *Keep “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy - it works. (Jan 2000) *Voted NO on limiting soldiers deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007) *Voted NO on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006) *Voted NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees and interrogation methods. (Sep 2006) *Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act and wiretap provision. (Dec 2005) GOOD *Voted NO on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005) *Voted NO on restoring $565M for states and; and ports' ; first responders. (Mar 2005) *Voted NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999) *Voted YES on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999) *Voted YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999) GOOD *Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998) GOOD *Voted NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997) *Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997) GOOD *Voted YES on considering deploying NMD, and amending ABM Treaty. (Jun 1996) GOOD *Voted NO on 1996 Defense Appropriations. (Sep 1995) *Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001) GOOD *Sponsored bill giving higher priority to rail security. (Jul 2005) GOOD *Sponsored bill banning torture of terrorists in US custody. (Jul 2005) GOOD *Innovate intelligence-gathering for future hard targets. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Assessments of al Qaida in Afghanistan in 2001 were accurate. (Mar 2005) GOOD *CIA needs more focus on counterterrorism. (Mar 2005) GOOD *So-called Legal Issues are myths; not real CIA hindrances. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Intelligence community shares information poorly. (Mar 2005) GOOD *CIA should work more with scientists to understand WMDs. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget. (Jun 2006) GOOD John McCain on Immigration *Other aspects only after consensus that borders are secure. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Deport 2 million illegal immigrants who committed crimes. (Jan 2008) EXCELLENT *Would no longer push his own 2006 immigration proposal. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Certify border is secure; only then allow guest workers. (Jan 2008) GOOD *2003 amnesty did not mean rewarding illegal behavior. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Round up and deport two million aliens who committed crimes. (Jan 2008) GOOD *FactCheck: Yes, he has used the word amnesty in the past. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Do everything I can to help all immigrants learn English. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Illegal immigrants are God's children as well. (Nov 2007) GOOD *Absences from negotiations hurt reform bill's chances. (Oct 2007) *12 million illegals in country now is de facto amnesty. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Amnesty is forgiveness; we offer fines; lines; and long waits. (Sep 2007) GOOD *No official English; Native Americans use own languages. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Immigration reform needed for national security. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Hispanics serve our country, like every wave of immigrants. (Jun 2007) GOOD *America expects us to work on immigration together. (May 2007) GOOD *Bipartisanship shows preparedness for presidency. (May 2007) GOOD *Change rule barring immigrants from running for president. (May 2007) *Comprehensive reform requires temporary worker program. (May 2007) GOOD *Comprehensive reform must include border security first. (Apr 2007) GOOD *We have to secure the borders first. (Jan 2006) GOOD *Make possible for immigrants to do a job Americans will not do. (Oct 2004) GOOD *Give everyone in the world an opportunity to come to America. (Oct 2004) GOOD *1988: Honored by La Raza for opposing official English. (Jan 2004) GOOD *More help for legal immigrants when immigrating once here. (Jul 1998) GOOD *No more ballot initiatives against immigration. (Mar 1999) *Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006) *Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997) GOOD *English immersion over bilingual education. (Jul 2001) *Sponsored comprehensive immigration reform, without amnesty. (May 2005) GOOD John McCain on Jobs *Overhaul unemployment insurance as a retraining program. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Straight talk: some jobs are not coming back. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Unions are monopolies; do not compel people to join. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Family farms: Crop insurance; reduce inheritance tax. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Ethanol is not worth it, even in Iowa. (Dec 1999) *Ethanol bad for environment and bad for consumers. (Nov 1999) *End sugar subsidy; it hurts consumers and helps only tycoons. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Ethanol subsidy is outdated; use funds for education. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Voted NO on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007) GOOD *Voted NO on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005) *Voted YES on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001) *Voted YES on allowing workers to choose between overtime and comp-time. (May 1997) GOOD *Voted YES on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996) GOOD John McCain on Principles and Values *My most basic conservative principle: liberty comes from God. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Disagrees with his mom; he can unite the party. (Feb 2008) *Anticipates spirited debate on differences with Democrats. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Proud of Justice O'Connor; favor Roberts and Alito. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Reagan knows that I stick with my principles. (Jan 2008) HUH *GovWatch: No, Constitution says we are not a Christian nation. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Able to work with others with own set of principles. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Absent from Values Voter Presidential Debate. (Sep 2007) *Most important part of decision-making is self-awareness. (Aug 2007) GOOD *If I lose capacity for anger, I lose capacity to serve. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Needs independents to win primary; but GOP dislikes them. (Oct 2005) *Courage is the capacity for action despite our fears. (Apr 2004) GOOD *Humility from surviving veterans is remarkable. (Apr 2004) GOOD *Just government is derived from the consent of the governed. (Apr 2004) GOOD *We need moral courage to be honest all the time. (Apr 2004) GOOD *Do the thing you think you cannot do. (Apr 2004) GOOD *The allure of pride affects adults like it affects children. (Apr 2004) GOOD *We are indebted to those who shed blood for us. (Apr 2004) GOOD *It is love that makes courage necessary. (Apr 2004) GOOD *Political style is to be straightforward. (Sep 2002) GOOD *Principles are more important than personal happiness. (Sep 2002) GOOD *Faith bridges unbridgeable gaps in humanity. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Calls himself conservative who attracts political center. (Feb 2000) *Foreign policy should not be shaped by photo-ops and polls. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Restore, renew, reform, and reinvigorate government. (Sep 1999) GOOD *“New Patriotic Challenge”: stand against cynicism. (Sep 1999) GOOD *Public officials have failed to set example for society. (Aug 1999) GOOD *I am a mainstream conservative; judge my record as a whole. (Feb 2008) *This 2008 election is about hugely consequential things. (Feb 2008) GOOD *The vision, knowledge, and background to be president. (Jan 2008) GOOD *People want the truth, even if they disagree. (Jan 2008) GOOD *I did not manage for profit, I led for patriotism. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Philosophy of worthy sacrifice from For Whom the Bell Tolls. (Oct 2007) HUH *Hard Calls: consider stakes; time; preparedness; confidence. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Reform government, fight Islamic extremism; and restore integrity. (Apr 2007) GOOD *I am here to serve, but not necessarily as president. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Looks to Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, and Eisenhower as models. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Loyalty is important, but performance should come first. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Man of the People: happy to be a Republican and a Reaganite. (Jan 2004) GOOD *Straight Talk focuses on appeal via authenticity. (May 2002) GOOD *GovWatch: 2002: Religious Right are "agents of intolerance" (Feb 2008) GOOD *FactCheck: Won NH and SC via independents, but lost GOP vote. (Jan 2008) GOOD *1983: Claiming Hanoi residency ended carpetbagger accusation. (Oct 2007) *Keating Five scandal converted him to champion of reform. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Keating Five: investigated during 90s Savings and Loan scandal. (Oct 2007) GOOD *GOP lost 2006 due to corrupt spending, spending, spending. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Straight Talk America PAC endorses 60 House candidates. (Dec 2006) GOOD *McCain and PAC endorses 19 Senate & 17 governor candidates. (Dec 2006) GOOD *Denounces Swift Boat Vets ads as dishonest. (Aug 2004) GOOD *2000 race: More grass-roots populism than Republicanism. (Jan 2004) GOOD *2000 race: Maverick positions became threat to GOP. (Jan 2004) *Residual bitterness at Bush from 2000 campaign. (May 2002) *Time for closure on a bizarre situation. (Nov 2000) *Suspends campaign, citing Republican preference for Bush. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Will take reform crusade back to the Senate. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Leaves race, urging service to country. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Reagan Republican: simplify taxes, stop waste, pay down debt. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Support conservative issues, not far-right leaders. (Mar 2000) GOOD *The GOP should be inclusive. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Campaigning to return government to the people. (Sep 1999) GOOD *Inspired by Reagan while in the North Vietnam prison camps. (Jan 2008) GOOD *As teenager, inherited obligation to attend Annapolis. (Sep 2007) *Admiral Slew McCain set John's standard for grit and courage. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Born at a Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. (Sep 2007) *Relationship with father was one of respect, more than love. (Sep 2007) *Not youngest candidate, but certainly the most prepared. (May 2007) GOOD *Admiral McCain's health failed after retiring from the Navy. (Sep 2002) *Spent nearly 23 years on active duty in the Navy. (Sep 2002) GOOD *Survived as POW by faith to a higher cause. (Nov 1999) GOOD *Refused release to hurt Vietnamese and remain loyal to POWs. (Nov 1999) GOOD *Graduated 5th from bottom of Naval Academy class. (Nov 1999) *Voted with Republican Party 87.3% of 165 votes. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Vote based on character, not issues. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Voted YES on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005) GOOD *Religious affiliation: Episcopalian. (Nov 2000) *Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership . (Jan 2001) John McCain on Social Security *Looming challenges of entitlements need personal accounts. (Feb 2008) GOOD *We need personal savings accounts. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Willing to compromise on raising cap above $90K. (May 2007) GOOD *Save benefits by bipartisan agreement; but without new tax. (Apr 2007) GOOD *Trust Fund is a ticking time bomb, set to go off in 2014. (Jan 2000) GOOD *More believe in Elvis than in getting Social Security check. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Option to invest 20% of payroll taxes in private accounts. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Every dollar off-budget - no ifs, ands, or excuses. (Sep 1999) GOOD *Disallow using Trust Fund for “emergency” spending. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Allow workers to invest privately. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Earnings test penalizes productivity in retirees. (Jun 1999) GOOD *Eliminate the “earnings test” which taxes benefits. (May 1999) GOOD *Lock up Trust Fund; devote 62% of budget surplus to it. (May 1999) GOOD *Put surplus into Trust Fund; fulfill promised benefits. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions. (Jul 1999) *Voted YES on Social Security Lockbox and limiting national debt. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes. (May 1996) GOOD *Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives. (Sep 1998) GOOD John McCain on Tax Reform *Veto any tax increase; worst thing now is to raise taxes. (Feb 2008) GOOD *2001: tax package with spending restraint, against Bush cuts. (Feb 2008) *Require a 3/5 majority vote in Congress to raise taxes. (Feb 2008) GOOD *FactCheck: Against Bush tax cuts in 2003; for them in 2006. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Romney raising fees a quarter-billion dollars is a tax hike. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Opposed to the Bush tax cuts as spending got out of control. (Jan 2008) *Supported Reagan tax cuts because matched by spending cuts. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Reform the tax code that nobody trusts and believes in. (Dec 2007) GOOD *We need a simpler, fairer tax code, but not FairTax. (Nov 2007) GOOD *Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Wont sign no-tax pledge; focus on cutting spending. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Make tax reform commission and vote yes-or-no on outcome. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Opposed Bush tax cuts, but must extend them now. (May 2007) GOOD * New tax cuts account for contingencies and over-spending. (May 2007) GOOD *Alternative minimum tax is eating Americans alive. (May 2007) GOOD *Bush tax cuts fiscally reckless and favored rich;but keep them. (Apr 2007) *Consistent on focusing tax cuts more toward middle class. (May 2002) GOOD *Double child tax credit; add family incentives. (Feb 2000) GOOD *“Balanced approach”, and starts a flat tax system. (Feb 2000)GOOD *Reagan Republican: simplify taxes; cut waste. (Feb 2000) GOOD *Big money interests fear closing loopholes. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Remove charitable deduction; it only benefits rich. (Jan 2000) BAD *Replace employer-provided benefits with a tax cut. (Jan 2000)BAD *Middle-class tax cut: expand 15% tax bracket. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Don’t promise tax cuts from future surpluses we may not have. (Jan 2000) GOOD *1st step to simplify taxes: close special interest loopholes. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Supports flat tax; stop complexity by special interests. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Keep lump-sum earned income tax credit. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, and earnings test. (Sep 1999) GOOD *Taxes should be flatter, lower, and simpler. (Apr 1999) GOOD *GovWatch: 2001: against tax cut that went to rich. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Voting against Bush cuts then for them: not a mistake. (Jan 2008) HUH *Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending. (May 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008) GOOD *Voted YES on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Voted YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007) GOOD *Voted YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006) GOOD *Voted NO on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains and dividends. (Feb 2006) GOOD *Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005) GOOD *Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003) *Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001) GOOD *Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001) BAD *Voted YES on eliminating the marriage penalty. (Jul 2000) GOOD *Voted YES on phasing out the estate tax. (Jul 2000) GOOD *Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999) *Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998) GOOD *Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts. (Sep 1998) GOOD John McCain on Technology *Ban Internet taxes and new cell phone taxes. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Don't police Internet crime; go after money to reduce crime. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Veto pork barrel; focus transportation spending on repairs. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Special interest influence corruptly took HDTV frequencies. (May 2007) GOOD *FactCheck: Special interests only delayed HDTV transfer. (May 2007) GOOD *Provide unused spectrum to emergency officials. (Mar 2007) GOOD *1996 Telecomm Bill: public interest was not at the table. (May 2002)GOOD *Uses Internet to read news and to get donations. (Mar 2000) GOOD *Digital Divide requires tax credits for equipment and teachers. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Internet tax ban saved consumers $600M this Xmas. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Free TV and radio to candidates as a public interest. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Make Internet tax moratorium permanent. (Dec 1999) GOOD *Encourage teachers to learn high tech. (Oct 1999) GOOD *Technology can hasten end of haves vs. have-nots. (Sep 1999) GOOD *Get more government documents on-line. (Aug 1999) GOOD *Telecommuncations Act was an influence-peddling scheme. (Jul 1999) GOOD *Internet access, with filters, at every school and library. (Jun 1999) GOOD *No government control over computer encryption. (Apr 1999) GOOD *Voted NO on restoring $550M in funding for Amtrak for 2007. (Mar 2006) *Voted NO on disallowing FCC approval of larger media conglomerates. (Sep 2003) BAD *Voted YES on Internet sales tax moratorium. (Oct 1998) GOOD *Voted NO on telecomm deregulation. (Feb 1996) BAD *Sponsored bill requiring text on TV for visually-impaired. (Apr 2005) HUH John McCain on War and Peace *1999: US cannot be neutral in situations like Kosovo. (Jan 2004) *Global War on Terror GOOD *Since 1998, championed policy of rogue-state rollback (Oct 2007) GOOD *Follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell. (May 2007) GOOD *Prefers not to take troops out of Afghanistan. (Jan 2007) GOOD *The War on Terror is the overriding and transcendent issue. (Oct 2004) GOOD *The War on Terror is a fight between good and evil. (Aug 2004) GOOD *The War on Terror a war we must fight. (Aug 2004) GOOD *Avoiding the War on Terror has cost us dearly. (Aug 2004) GOOD *Bush promised enemies would soon hear from us and they did. (Aug 2004) GOOD *Our adversaries express a hatred for all good in humanity. (Aug 2004)GOOD *2000: Warned against radical Islamic terrorism. (May 2002) GOOD *2001: No pinprick responses to 9/11; it is a long haul. (May 2002) GOOD *2001: Nuclear weapons unnecessary against terrorists. (May 2002) GOOD *Palestine: Against declaration of statehood. (Feb 1999) GOOD *Iran *Strategic bombing of Iran OK only if imminent threat. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Congress can only declare war; not micromanage wars. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Keep military option open against Iran, even if no nukes. (Dec 2007) GOOD *No direct talk with Iran; talk is over-rated. (Dec 2007) GOOD *Iran and Syria must not get nukes; they will exterminate Israel. (Nov 2007) GOOD *Iran is state sponsor of terrorism; no more evidence needed. (Nov 2007) GOOD *Congressional consultation before attacking Iran's nukes. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Sanctions to prevent Iranian nukes; but don't count on UN. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Iran is sponsor of terrorism; US strike if they get nukes. (May 2007) GOOD *Iraq War *Quoting 100 years in Iraq is out-of-context. (Apr 2008) GOOD *Despite deserters and Basra loss, Iraqi military doing better. (Apr 2008) GOOD *Costs will be far greater should we fail in Iraq. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Not a matter of how long in Iraq, but a matter of casualties. (Feb 2008) GOOD *Don't let enemy lay in the weeds until we leave. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Support the surge and bring troops home with honor. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Staying for 100 years OK, if US casualties are low. (Jan 2008) GOOD *The Iraq war was worth the price in blood and treasure. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Ok with American presence in Iraq for 100 years. (Jan 2008) GOOD *FactCheck: Yes, criticized Rumsfeld, but not before invasion. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Help Maliki government move forward as rapidly as possible. (Nov 2007) GOOD *I would much rather lose a campaign than lose a war. (Oct 2007) GOOD *Stategy in Iraq: defeat al-Qaeda; limit Iran's influence. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Iraq is now the central front in the war against al-Qaeda. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Americans want to win; bin Laden thinks he is winning now. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Democrats proposing failure in Iraq by withdrawing. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Reducing military presence has never in history won a war. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Bring troops home the right way: home with honor. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Surge is working; let it continue until it succeeds. (Sep 2007) GOOD *Tragic mistake of Iraq: no plan to deal with success. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Support the surge even if benchmarks are not met. (Aug 2007) GOOD *Did not read NIE before war vote, but was fully briefed. (Jun 2007) GOOD *If new strategy not working by Sept., we still must succeed. (Jun 2007) GOOD *Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq. (May 2007)GOOD *Consequences of failure: regional chaos and we must come back. (May 2007) GOOD *In hindsight, Iraq invasion was still justified. (May 2007) GOOD *Timetable would be catastrophe, even if Iraq wants it. (May 2007) GOOD *Advocated leaving Somalia, but no comparison to Iraq. (May 2007) GOOD *War has been mismanaged, but we are now on the right track. (May 2007) GOOD *War in Iraq has not gone well: dire but not hopeless. (Mar 2007) GOOD *Al Qaeda may take over Iraqi oilwells. (Mar 2007) GOOD *Prefers more troops for surge, but 20,000 is sufficient. (Jan 2007) GOOD *Bush now has the right strategy, and it is our last chance. (Jan 2007) GOOD *Generals advising "no more troops" was a failed policy. (Jan 2007) GOOD *McCain Principle: Committing troops means completing mission. (Jan 2007) GOOD *If we leave Iraq, terrorists will follow us home. (Jan 2007) GOOD *Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order. (Nov 2006) GOOD *Looting, terrorism in Iraq a result of US mistakes. (Sep 2004) GOOD *The Iraqi war was necessary after years of failed diplomacy. (Aug 2004) GOOD *Saddam would have acquired terrible weapons again. (Aug 2004) GOOD *The Iraqi war was necessary, achievable and noble. (Aug 2004) GOOD *The cause of the Iraqi war was just. (Apr 2004) GOOD *1991: Urged formally declaring war on Iraq over Kuwait. (Jan 2004) GOOD *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) BAD *Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006) GOOD *Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Nov 2005) BAD *Voted YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding. (Apr 2005) GOOD *Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Oct 2003) GOOD *Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002) GOOD *Voted NO on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999) GOOD *Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995) GOOD *Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism. (Jan 2002) GOOD *CIA assessments ib Iraqi WMDs were all wrong. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Belief in Iraqi nukes was poor analysis of aluminum tubes. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Belief in Iraqi BWs was based on one unreliable person. (Mar 2005) *Belief in Iraqi CWs was based on flawed imagery. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Iraq never had delivery systems to attack US mainland. (Mar 2005) *CIA never questioned assumption that Saddam had WMDs. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Conclusions on Iran and North Korea are all classified. (Mar 2005) GOOD *Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995) GOOD John McCain on Welfare and Poverty *Lower and middle income Americans need more help. (Jan 2008) GOOD *Require 40 hours work per week from welfare recipients. (Nov 2004)GOOD *Supports block grants, welfare-to-work, state control. (Jan 2000) GOOD *Anti-poverty shared by gov’t and faith-based orgs. (Jan 2000) GOOD *List unoccupied HUD-owned homes, and give them away. (Feb 1999) GOOD *Use tax code to address unemployment & working conditions. (Jul 1998) BAD *More housing assistance; tax breaks against homelessness. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Pro-block grants; pro-welfare-to-work. (Jul 1998) GOOD *Voted YES on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996) GOOD *Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996) GOOD *Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996) GOOD *Voted YES on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995) GOOD *Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003) GOOD

Yes I know his stances on all of these items. Here is what I think.	44% (4 answers)
I knew some of his stances. Here is what I think.	33% (3 answers)
I am not interested in his stances. Here is what I think.	22% (2 answers)
Undecided	0% (0 answers)

What penalty do you think should be given to the person who stole Obama's personal prayer out of the West Wall in Jerusalem?

2008-07-26T19:03:25Z

What penalty do you think should be given to the person who stole Obama's personal prayer out of the West Wall in Jerusalem?

33 answers, +7 raves

A prayer is between God and his follower. To intrude on that is completely inappropriate. Also, the media was very inappropriate to publish the prayer. Surely the person who stole the prayer will be punnished. What punnishment should he/she receive?

I think........	70% (23 answers)
It depends on how privacy is defined in Jerusalem.	21% (7 answers)
He should be shamed in front of his church.	6% (2 answers)
The person should have to give a public apology to Senator Obama and do community service for the West Wall for a set amount of time.	3% (1 answers)

Are we as an American Society soft on consequences?

2008-07-25T21:39:15Z

Are we as an American Society soft on consequences?

13 answers, +7 raves

It seems that we have become a society without consequences. 1. In school, corporal punnishment is no longer used anywhere. While many parents would discipline their child anyway, there is a percentage that send their kids to school out of control. 30 years ago, a paddle would take care of the problem. 2. If you get caught breaking the law, you can request deferred ajudication. You do not have to go to jail. 3. Failure to appear in court no longer means they will arrest you, it means they will tack on some fees to your ticket, if they ever come get you. 4. If you get in over your head financially, not to worry, there is bankruptcy and stop-forclosure to bail you out. 5. Parents are discouraged from paddling their kids. 6. Schools can no longer use time out as a disciplinary measure. 7. You can be arrested and still live at home with an ankle bracelet. 8. Write a hot check, not to worry, the bank will put it back through in a couple of days. 9. Say something completely stupid in the public eye, not to worry, it will be rationalized away. 10. Drink hot coffee and get burned, not to worry, the courts will hold the establishment responsible for your stupidity.

Softer than a wet noodle.	85% (11 answers)
Undecided	8% (1 answers)
None of the above	8% (1 answers)
Come one come all to the great U.S. where you will be given a free ride!	0% (0 answers)
Freedom without limits, that's what I am talking about.	0% (0 answers)
No we are the same as we have always been. There are established consequences.	0% (0 answers)
All of the above	0% (0 answers)

What is your interpretation of this statement made by Obama?

2008-07-25T14:47:46Z

What is your interpretation of this statement made by Obama?

36 answers, +4 raves

1. I have not formed an opinion yet so do not say I am picking on him. 2. I do not have access to the full text of it so don't jump around and go woo wooo out of context. 3. I am asking you because I want to know. 4. No, I do not have all the details. I caught only a little piece of it on the news. That is why I am asking you! I believe the statement was made to a gathering in Germany. "The United States Military is no match for the Soviet Union!"

I don't like any of your choices so here is what I think.	36% (13 answers)
I have not heard that but Obama is gonna kill our nation and it was a terroristic thing to say.	19% (7 answers)
Sorry, I have not heard that.	17% (6 answers)
Yes, I hear that and this is what I think.	17% (6 answers)
Here is a link to where you can read/hear the whole context.	8% (3 answers)
I have not heard that but Obama walks on water and I am sure it was the perfect thing to say.	3% (1 answers)

Where does the right to choose boundary end?

2008-07-23T06:55:36Z

Where does the right to choose boundary end?

27 answers, +16 raves

The laws governing death confuse the heck out of me! I am not just talking about abortions, but laws governing life and death across the board. I find both political parties inconsistant in their views about the concept of choice and life. There are those that believe that abortion is a woman's right to choose. Those same people believe that the death penalty is wrong. So it is okay to kill an unborn child but not a serial killer. But let's go a step further, a person with a terminal illness cannot choose to kill themselves because that is against the law. Yet, a person, who cannot act on their own behalf can have someone else decide if they will receive any kind of treatment or basics like nourishment and water. Then there is the medical world which makes a determination of whether you will receive palliative treatment or cure directed treatment based on your ability to pay. Then to consider one of the most absurd things we do, we put people on death row on suicide watch. It is like we are saying, "Don't kill yourself and rob us of all the fun!" I find all of this collectively baffling. Either we hold life sacred or we don't! To me, that is the choice.

undecided because.....	48% (13 answers)
I agree with you because.....	44% (12 answers)
I disagree with you because.....	7% (2 answers)

Should a Convicted Felon Have their right to vote restored?

2008-07-22T13:44:36Z

Should a Convicted Felon Have their right to vote restored?

37 answers, +12 raves

By BOB JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer Tue Jul 22, 6:12 AM ET MONTGOMERY, Ala. - After serving eight months behind bars for a conviction of receiving stolen property, Annette McWashington Pruitt was excited about the prospect of being able to vote again. One of her first stops after being released from prison was the Jefferson County Voter Registrar's Office. But she was told she was a convicted felon and couldn't vote. "I couldn't believe it," Pruitt said. "They continued to give me numbers to call. It was very much demeaning." Now she has gone to court to try to get her right to vote restored. On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in Montgomery Circuit Court on behalf of Pruitt and two other ex-felons seeking restoration of their voting rights. The lawsuit claims Alabama law is unclear on the subject, citing a bill passed by the Legislature in 2003 that says felons can vote unless convicted on "crimes of moral turpitude," but never defines those crimes. The Legislature adopted a list of 15 crimes, including murder, treason and some sex crimes, that would exempt a person from having their voting rights restored. But the lawsuit says it's up to the state's voter registrars and the attorney general to decide in other cases if a person's rights can be restored. "Two voter registrars might come to different conclusions," said Sam Brooke, an attorney for the ACLU. The lawsuit asks that convicted felons not be denied the right to voted unless they were convicted of one of the crimes on the list adopted by the Legislature. The lawsuit also asks that the state not deny a convicted felon the right to vote because they have not paid all court ordered fines and restitution. Brooke said that requirement makes it easier for convicts from wealthier backgrounds to get their rights restored. "We believe this is a modern day version of the poll tax," Brooke said. Brooke said more than 40 states make it easier for convicted felons to have their rights restored. Alabama has a procedure through the Board of Pardons and Paroles that allows felons to apply to have their rights restored, but Brooke said that process is "complicated and confusing." In Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist and the state clemency board last year voted to make it easier for most felons to have their voting rights restored. Officials in the Alabama attorney general's offices declined to comment, saying they had not seen the lawsuit. "Because the lawsuit has been filed, the issue will have to be resolved by the courts," Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman said in a statement. Restoring voting rights would help most convicts return to society after prison, said Ed Nettles, pastor of Freewill Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery. "It gives them a sense of dignity, a sense of pride, a sense of connecting to the community," Nettles said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit. Pruitt said she has a son in the military in Iraq and another son who is going into the Navy and that voting has always been an important part of her life. "My father taught me this is what every American should do," she said.

She paid her debt, let her vote!	41% (15 answers)
It is a consequence of her actions and she should understand that!	38% (14 answers)
Undecided	8% (3 answers)
None of the above	8% (3 answers)
I was always told that one of the rights I would lose if I became a criminal and got caught was my right to vote.	3% (1 answers)
All of the above	3% (1 answers)
She should have just as much right to have her voting rights restored as someone who is wealthy.	0% (0 answers)
Perhaps the insight provided by the felon voter, will provide the key to decreasing crime.	0% (0 answers)

Should the Statue of Liberty continue to be a symbol of American's attitude towards immigration.

2008-07-21T15:03:58Z

Should the Statue of Liberty continue to be a symbol of American's attitude towards immigration.

15 answers, +3 raves

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free; send these, the homeless tempest-tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door." These were great words written to reflect the attitude towards European immigrants that would arrive on ships. Where is that attitude now? Is it okay to accept European Immigrants, but not Latin immigrants. Oh sure there is a "correct" way to immigrate, but I seriously doubt that the process is as easy as it was for the arrivals at Ellis Island. My question is simply this "Since our arms are no longer opened wide, should we take down the symbol of our hospitality?"

No because the opportunities are still there for those wishing to follow the laws.	67% (10 answers)
No it is a symbol of a time in history.	27% (4 answers)
Yes, because it makes us look like hypocrites.	7% (1 answers)
No our Nations circumstances have changed. We just can't continue to support that many other countries.	0% (0 answers)

Will you make my mind up for me?

2008-07-17T18:21:56Z

Will you make my mind up for me?

24 answers, +9 raves

Since I cannot decide who would be better, I am going to let you do that for me. Whichever candidate gets the most votes by November will get my vote. I will subtract any negative comment from your candidate. This is your chance to speak for your candidate instead of against the other candidate. Winner of this poll by November 1st, gets my vote. So get ready and cast your votes.

Senator McCain	46% (11 answers)
None of the above	42% (10 answers)
Senator Obama	8% (2 answers)
Ron Paul	4% (1 answers)