October 10, 2008 by Jeremy.

EDUCATION

Senator John McCain

• I want schools to answer to parents and students. (Sep 2008)
• Pay bonuses to teachers in the most troubled schools. (Jul 2008)
• Target funding to recruit top graduates as teachers. (Jul 2008)
• Direct $750 million to build virtual schools. (Jul 2008)
• Give parents easier access to obtain help for their children. (Jul 2008)
• Shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition. (Jun 2008)
• Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts. (Jun 2007)
• Believes in evolution, but sees the hand of God in nature. (May 2007) (I have no idea what he means there)
• Against nationally imposed standards & funding strings. (Feb 2000)
• Teach virtues in all schools. (Dec 1999)
• Enlist retirees for tutoring. (Nov 1999)
• Good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers. (Oct 1999)
• Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally. (Aug 1999)
• Help unqualified teachers find other lines of work. (Jul 1999)
• Supports tax-free savings accounts for education expenses. (Jul 1999)
• Supports “Reading Excellence”; and rewarding good schools. (Jul 1999)
• Supports at-risk programs; homeless ed.; anti-drop-out ed. (Jul 1999)
• Internet access, with filters, at every school & library. (Jun 1999)
• Merit pay & competency testing for teachers. (Jun 1999)
• Ed-ACT Bill: college plans; language proficiency. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on $52M for “21st century community learning centers”. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
• Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
• Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
• Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
• Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
• Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
• Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

Senator Barack Obama

• Invest in early childhood education and higher education. (Aug 2008)
• Fight for social & economic justice begins in the classroom. (Jul 2008)
• Merit pay ok if based on career instead of a single test. (Apr 2008)
• Evolution & science aren’t incompatible with Christian faith. (Apr 2008)
• Supports charter schools; it’s important to experiment. (Feb 2008)
• Children’s First Agenda: zero to five early education. (Feb 2008)
• $4,000 college tuition for 100 hours’ public service a year. (Feb 2008)
• Put billions of dollars into early childhood education. (Jan 2008)
• Need after-school and summer programs with good parenting. (Jan 2008)
• Get parents re-engaged in educating the children. (Dec 2007)
• We need a sense of urgency about improving education system. (Sep 2007)
• Nationwide program to reconstruct crumbling school buildings. (Sep 2007)
• STEP UP: summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged. (Aug 2007)
• We left the money behind for No Child Left Behind. (Aug 2007)
• Pay “master teachers” extra, but with buy-in from teachers. (Aug 2007)
• Sends kids to private school; but wants good schools for all. (Jul 2007)
• Supreme Court was wrong on school anti-integration ruling. (Jul 2007)
• Incentives to hire a million teachers over next decade. (Jun 2007)
• Pay teachers more money & treat them like professionals. (Jun 2007)
• Cut banks out and add $4.5 Billion to college loans. (Mar 2007)
• Public school system status quo is indefensible. (Oct 2006)
• More teacher pay in exchange for more teacher accountability. (Oct 2006)
• Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education. (Jun 2006)
• Sex education needed to help children discuss molestation. (Oct 2004)
• Provide decent funding and get rid of anti-intellectualism. (Jul 2004)
• Address the growing achievement gap between students. (May 2004)
• Will add 25,000 teachers in high-need areas. (May 2004)
• Supports charter schools and private investment in schools. (Jul 1998)
• Free public college for any student with B-average. (Jul 1998)
  

  Voting Record

• First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007)
• Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
• Voted YES on $52M for “21st century community learning centers”. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)

Governor Sarah Palin

• We need more flexibility in No Child Left Behind. (Oct 2008)
• Never tried to ban books in the Wasilla Library. (Sep 2008)
• Science teacher as dad; believes in teaching evolution. (Sep 2008)
• Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools. (Aug 2008)
• Supports teaching intelligent design in public schools. (Aug 2008)
• 294 Alaska public schools progressed under NCLB. (Aug 2008)
• School debate should focus on accountability. (Jan 2008)
• Committed to providing strong education, including morals. (Jan 2008)
• Budget funds education, but will to work is also critical. (Jan 2008)
• Court ruling against NEA: state adequately funds education. (Jun 2007)
• Fully fund K-12 and support early funding of education. (Jan 2007)
• Supports $20 million needs-based aid for U. Alaska. (Nov 2006)
• Forward-fund K-12 schools to allow better planning. (Nov 2006)
• Supports charter schools, home schools, & other alternatives. (Nov 2006)
• Target early education programs to at-risk groups. (Nov 2006)
• Alignment between parents, teachers, schools, & business. (Nov 2006)
• Faith-based materials ok in homeschooling. (Nov 2006)
• ABC method: back to basics, plus patriotism & ethics. (Nov 2006)
• Supports parental choice for what is best for their children. (Nov 2006)
• Don’t push school boards on creationism but allow discussion. (Oct 2006)
• I believe we have a creator; and many theories of evolution. (Oct 2006)
• Support charters & home schools; not private school vouchers. (Oct 2006)
• Let parents opt out of schoolbooks they find offensive. (Jul 2006)
• Parents know best, about school spending & school age. (Jul 2006)
• Pledge of Allegiance with ‘Under God’ is good enough. (Jul 2006)

 Senator Joe Biden

• No Child Left Behind was left behind. (Oct 2008)
• Hire more teachers and pay them for smaller classes. (Dec 2007)
• Laid out a $30 billion plan over five years for education. (Nov 2007)
• For longer school day & school year, & 16-year minimum. (Oct 2007)
• $3000 tax credit for college for anyone earning under $150K. (Sep 2007)
• There needs to be performance-based pay for teachers. (Aug 2007)
• Teach sex ed in schools; including prevention methods. (Aug 2007)
• Sent kids to private school after death of their mother. (Jul 2007)
• Overcome racial achievement gap with early education. (Jun 2007)
• Pay teachers more to get better educational results. (Apr 2007)
• FactCheck: Japan pays teachers more, but not India & China. (Apr 2007)
• NCLB needs more resources, but also is fundamentally flawed. (Feb 2007)
• Princeton was last Ivy holdout to admit women & minorities. (Jan 2006)
  

  Voting Record

• Voting for No Child Left Behind was a mistake. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on $52M for “21st century community learning centers”. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
• Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
• Voted NO on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
• Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
• Voted NO on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
• Voted YES on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
• Rated 91% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

Source: http://www.issues2000.org/default.htm

Posted in Decision 2008, Jeremy, Coherent Thoughts, Politics | Print | 1 Comment »

October 7, 2008 by Jeremy.

Well tonight debate was mostly pointless. The only thing that it showed is that Tom Brokaw is an idiot. He was more interested in hearing the sound of his own voice and getting his follow-up questions out then really making it a Town Hall Debate.

They topics were so narrow. We learned nothing new.

Obama is in the lead so all he had to do was show up and cover his talking points - mission accomplished.

John McCain had to come out with a little fire and really show why Obama is not a wise choice and he did not accomplish this to the level that he really needed to do.

I thought McCain got on the level with the people better and really stood his ground when Obama tried to railroad the debate.

McCain was strong and better presented his tax plan than Obama. His point about leaving the taxes alone in an economic crisis was a great point. We don’t need to tax anyone to improve the economy especially those individuals who actually create the jobs.

I think Obama’s questioning McCain Health Care Plan is valid because I’m not sure it is a great idea myself. It sounds decent in theory but it quite a risk to make in practice. However, Obama’s plan on Government-Run Health Care is a horrible idea and has been proven as such time and time again.

In doing what they needed to for this debate I give the win to Obama, but in better connecting with the people and making their points and intentions clear I would give that to John McCain. So the debate was virtually a draw. We’ll see if the American people agree with me.

These debate really do suck though. I mean there are so many more topics out there that are important and categorize the candidates other than the economy and foreign policy. I do think those are important topics but the President will have to deal with many more things than those two topics.

Let’s hope the last debate is a lot better!

Posted in Decision 2008, Jeremy, Coherent Thoughts, Politics | Print | 2 Comments »

October 7, 2008 by Jeremy.

CIVIL RIGHTS

Senator John McCain

• 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)

Senator Barack Obama

• Has stood together with Latino leaders for last 20 years. (Jun 2008)
• Hate crimes related to the immigration issue is unacceptable. (Feb 2008)
• People want to move beyond our divisions. (Jan 2008)
• 2004 DNC speech merged “heritage” with “diversity”. (Dec 2007)
• The politics of fear undermines basic civil liberties. (Oct 2007)
• 1980s boss predicted Obama would be heir to MLK’s voice. (Aug 2007)
• Racial equality good for America as a whole. (Jun 2007)
• Put the Confederate flag in a museum, not the state house. (Apr 2007)
• Muslim heritage gives Obama unique influence in Muslim world. (Oct 2006)
• No black or white America–just United States of America. (Oct 2006)
• Gays should not face discrimination but should not marry. (Oct 2004)
• Forthright on racial issues and on his civil rights history. (Jul 2004)
• Defend freedom and equality under law. (May 2004)
• Politicians: don’t use religion to insulate from criticism. (Apr 2004)
• Miscegenation a felony in 1960 when Obamas practiced it. (Aug 1996)
• The civil rights movement was a success. (Aug 1996)
  

  Affirmative Action

• Keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day’s work. (Aug 2008)
• Apply affirmative action to poor white college applicants. (Apr 2008)
• Fight job discrimination to give women equal footing at jobs. (Feb 2008)
• Remove discriminatory barriers to the right to vote. (Feb 2008)
• Benefited from affirmative action but overcame via merit. (Dec 2007)
• Include class-based affirmative action with race-based. (Oct 2007)
• Better enforce women’s pay equity via Equal Pay Act. (Aug 2007)
• Blacks should infiltrate mainstream to affect change. (Aug 2007)
• Commitment to diversity by CEOs is advisable. (Mar 2007)
• African-Americans vote Democratic because of issue stances. (Jul 2004)
• Supports affirmative action in colleges and government. (Jul 1998)
  

  Gay Rights

• Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
• Being gay or lesbian is not a choice. (Nov 2007)
• Decisions about marriage should be left to the states. (Oct 2007)
• Homosexuality no more immoral than heterosexuality. (Oct 2007)
• Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Sep 2007)
• Has any marriage broken up because two gays hold hands? (Aug 2007)
• We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions. (Aug 2007)
• Legal rights for gays are conferred by state, not by church. (Aug 2007)
• Disentangle gay rights from the word “marriage”. (Aug 2007)
• Gay marriage is less important that equal gay rights. (Aug 2007)
• Gay rights movement is somewhat like civil rights movement. (Aug 2007)
• Let each denominations decide on recognizing gay marriage. (Jul 2007)
• Pass ENDA and expand hate crime legislation. (Mar 2007)
• Opposed 1996 Illinois DOMA bill. (Mar 2007)
• Supports health benefits for gay civil partners. (Oct 2006)
• Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality. (Oct 2006)
• Marriage not a human right; non-discrimination is. (Oct 2004)
• Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. (Jul 1998)
  

  Voting Record

• Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Aug 2007)
• Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
• Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice. (Jan 2001)
• Sponsored bill for special-needs evacuation plans. (Sep 2005)
• Sponsored bill for a Rosa Parks commemorative postage stamp. (Dec 2005)
• Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
• Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
• Provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees. (Dec 2007)
• Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)
• Reinforce anti-discrimination and equal-pay requirements. (Jan 2008)

Governor Sarah Palin

• Non-support of anything but traditional marriage. (Oct 2008)
• I’m a feminist; equal rights for women. (Sep 2008)
• Equal pay for equal work; but not Ledbetter Act. (Sep 2008)
• Hillary put 18 million cracks in glass ceiling. (Sep 2008)
• Would like support from women’s groups, but won’t woo them. (Sep 2008)
• Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional. (Aug 2008)
• ADA brings expanded freedom to Americans with disabilities. (Jul 2008)
• Recognize Juneteenth to celebrate the end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
• HIV/AIDS among Alaska Natives is public health crisis. (Mar 2008)
• Recognize Martin Luther King holiday. (Jan 2008)
• Comply with same-sex partner benefits despite disagreement. (Dec 2006)
• Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006)
• Value our cultural diversity. (Nov 2006)
• Prefers term “anti-rural” to “anti-Native”. (Nov 2006)
• Special legislative session on same-sex health benefits. (Nov 2006)
• Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples. (Aug 2006)
• No spousal benefits for same-sex couples. (Jul 2006)
• Top priorities include preserving definition of “marriage”. (Jul 2006)

 Senator Joe Biden

• No on gay marriage; yes on equal treatment. (Oct 2008)
• 1978: opposed busing except for gov’t-intended segregation. (Jul 2007)
• 1968: Wilmington riots failed at conversation between races. (Jul 2007)
• Nobody asks if you’re gay in a foxhole. (Jun 2007)
• Civil unions ok; gay marriage is probably inevitable. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
• Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
• Voted YES 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 YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
• Voted NO on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
• Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
• Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Issue a commemorative postage stamp of Rosa Parks. (Dec 2005)
• Rated 78% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
• Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)

Source: http://www.issues2000.org/default.htm

Posted in Decision 2008, Jeremy, Coherent Thoughts, Politics | Print | 1 Comment »

October 6, 2008 by Jeremy.

BUDGET & ECONOMY

Senator John McCain

• Have no doubt about the magnitude of financial crisis. (Sep 2008)
• Recoup financial bailout cost by cutting spending. (Sep 2008)
• Freeze on everything but Defense, Veterans & entitlements. (Sep 2008)
• I have fought against excessive spending my entire career. (Sep 2008)
• These are tough times; we need changes; so keep taxes low. (Aug 2008)
• Can’t pass trillions of dollars of debt to our children. (Jul 2008)
• GovWatch: Specified cuts are $10B, not $100B. (May 2008)
• Bailing out Bear Stearns necessary to protect economy. (Apr 2008)
• Key is to not to bail out homeowners who speculated. (Apr 2008)
• Things are tough now, but we’re better off than in 2000. (Jan 2008)
• May have to go further to fix the subprime lending situation. (Jan 2008)
• Recession is partly psychological and not inevitable. (Jan 2008)
• I’m well-versed in economics; I was at the Reagan Revolution. (Jan 2008)
• FactCheck: Said–then denied–he needed economics education. (Jan 2008)
• Impose some fiscal discipline to revive the economy. (Jan 2008)
• Will be able to reduce war costs & have a stable Middle East. (Jan 2008)
• Reform insurance to cover violent weather patterns. (Jan 2008)
• To avoid recession, stop out-of-control spending. (Jan 2008)
• Loss of economic strength leads to losing military strength. (Dec 2007)
• Republicans have forgotten how to control spending. (Nov 2007)
• AdWatch: Outrageous to spend $233M for bridge to nowhere. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck:Bridge-to-Nowhere never built; would serve 200,000. (Nov 2007)
• FactCheck: Criticized “Woodstock museum,” but skipped vote. (Nov 2007)
• Congress spends money like a drunken sailor. (May 2007)
• Veto all pork-barrel bills and announce pork spenders. (May 2007)
• Use veto power to reduce government spending. (Jan 2000)
• Distribute surplus: 23% tax cuts; 62% Social Security. (Jan 2000)
• $9B of pork in current budget bills; cut subsidies. (Oct 1999)
• For Balanced Budget Amend., & off-budget Social Security. (Jul 1999)
• List of budgetary spending priorities. (Jul 1998)
• Supports Balanced Budget Amendment. (Jul 1998)
• Apply surplus to Social Security, Medicare, tax cuts & debt. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
• Maintain & enforce existing spending caps in the future. (Sep 1998)

Senator Barack Obama

• We’re in the worst financial crisis since Great Depression. (Sep 2008)
• The lax regulation that Bush favored got us in this disaster. (Sep 2008)
• Pay attention to Main Street, not just Wall Street. (Sep 2008)
• Decide financial rescue plan on future slower tax revenues. (Sep 2008)
• Spending freeze is like a hatchet where you need a scalpel. (Sep 2008)
• Latinos & blacks are hardest hit by housing & gas crises. (Jun 2008)
• A different economic approach vs. McCain’s 4 more years. (May 2008)
• Can’t do anything at home with $12 billion a month on Iraq. (Feb 2008)
• Protect consumers with Credit Card Bill of Rights. (Feb 2008)
• More accountability in subprime mortgages. (Feb 2008)
• Bush stimulus plan leaves out seniors & unemployed. (Jan 2008)
• Voted against limiting credit to 30%, because 30% too high. (Jan 2008)
• Account for every single dollar for new proposed programs. (Jan 2008)
• Help the homeowners actually living in their homes. (Jan 2008)
• Bankruptcy bill pushed by banks &. (Jan 2008)
• Capping credit card interest rates at 30% is not enough. (Jan 2008)
• Lack of an energy policy is a financial burden. (Jan 2008)
• Release people in bankruptcy due to health care problems. (Jan 2008)
• I opposed both the 2001 and 2005 bankruptcy bills. (Jan 2008)
• Accountability and oversight over the financial markets. (Jan 2008)
• Modify some of the fraudulent & predatory lending practices. (Jan 2008)
• Bush & GOP dug budget hole; need years to dig out. (Dec 2007)
• Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don’t need them. (Dec 2007)
• Take China “to the mat” about currency manipulation. (Dec 2007)
• Rejects free market vision of government. (Oct 2007)
• Regulate financial instruments to protect home mortgages. (Aug 2007)
• Government regulation needed for when markets fail. (Aug 2007)
• Return to PayGo: compensate for all new spending. (Oct 2006)
• Bush’s economic policies are not working. (May 2004)
• Supports federal programs to protect rural economy. (May 2004)
• Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs’ effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
• Get minorities into home ownership & global marketplace. (Jan 2001)
• Require full disclosure about subprime mortgages. (Dec 2007)
• Reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosure & bankruptcy. (Feb 2008)

Governor Sarah Palin

• We should not reward poor financial decisions. (Sep 2008)
• McCain’s experience makes him best judge in economic crisis. (Sep 2008)
• Program of $1,200 to every Alaskan: spent on consumer goods. (Sep 2008)
• Workforce fundamentals are strong; economy needs oversight. (Sep 2008)
• Taxpayers cannot be looked to as Wall Street bailout. (Sep 2008)
• Control spending by request if possible; by veto if needed. (Sep 2008)
• $7 billion savings plan for education & transportation. (Dec 2007)
• Reduced general fund spending by $124 million. (Mar 2007)
• Aim to reduce general fund spending by $150 million. (Jan 2007)
• Firm believer in free market capitalism. (Nov 2006)
• Coordinate state tourism marketing but no additional funding. (Oct 2006)

 Senator Joe Biden

• Balancing budget is about priorities; GOP made wrong choices. (Dec 2007)
• Save Pentagon spending by getting the troops out of Iraq. (Dec 2007)
• More transparency for hedge funds and private equity funds. (Aug 2007)
• Invest in new programs by ending war & eliminating tax cuts. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
• Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)

Source: http://www.issues2000.org/default.htm

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October 3, 2008 by Jeremy.

Well I watched the debate and I must say that I enjoyed it.

I think Joe has tons of facts and figures which he gets from his many years of experience, but with so much information he finds it hard to keep straight. So Sarah was quick to jump on that especially the one about Obama meeting with foreign leaders. She called Joe out on those facts and was even so bold as to say that the morning news would show that she was right. So I watched this morning to see if they would back her up and they did.

She had her mistakes as well though. She claimed that the Obama Tax Policy would raise taxes on a family making $42,000 but in reality it is a single income-earner that would have their taxes raised making that much.

I think Palin came across so much better and more personable than Biden did and I think the people can really connect with her. I, for one, appreciate the fact that she is not a Washington Fat Cat Insider.

Joe had his moment though too when it looked as though he was going to tear up when talking about his family. I thought he was genuine there and seemed like a real person and not the stiff board he was the rest of the time.

I broke the debate into three parts while watching to determine who I thought came out on top and it was, in my opinion very close. I thought Palin came out strong but Biden took over during the middle of the debate for quite a stretch, but then she settled into her own and finished off strong at the end. So I gave her 2 out of the 3 segments.

So I guess (even if I am biased) I would give a slight edge to Sara Palin. I really think she did more to help her cause than Biden did to his. I think the real thing that is annoying to me anyway is that Biden (and Obama) only want to fight George Bush and his administration. The left can’t stand that he beat them twice so they want to claim this election as their victory against George Bush and if you think that’s not true just look at how often the bash them and their policies.

Full Transcript of Debate

So what did you think about the debate? Who do you think won?

Posted in Decision 2008, Jeremy, Coherent Thoughts, Politics | Print | 2 Comments »

October 1, 2008 by Jeremy.

Well when a guy like Dave Ramsey comes up with a Common Sense Fix to the economic situation I figure we need to talk about it here at Coherent Thought.

Dave’s Plan:

Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country,
but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support
any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following threestep
Common Sense Plan.
I. INSURANCE
a. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance.
Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the
world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.
b. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two
things:
1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a
6% fixed-rate mortgage.
a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the
balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a
chance to keep their homes.
b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or
the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of
foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable
for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that
encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while
working with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and
ruined lives.
2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and
executive team members as long as the company holds these
government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming
executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.
c. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.
II. MARK TO MARKET
a. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III
bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down
bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.

b. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on
failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.
III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX
a. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock
market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in
the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.

b. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping
the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the
economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement
investments that go up instead of down.

This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, to
stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.

Learn more about Dave’s Plan HERE!

Posted in Jeremy, Coherent Thoughts, Current Events | Print | 2 Comments »