Written by Renee Jorgensen
In the midst of midterms and Torrey conference, it can be hard to remember that this Tuesday is Election Day. But it is, and you should vote. Regardless of who you intend to endorse, you should vote. Democracy is dysfunctional when educated citizens fail to engage in the political system, as that causes under representation and increases the influence of a disproportionately active minority.
While I encourage you to vote in any case, I am far from disinterested in your choice of a candidate. Allow me to briefly articulate three factors that should swing your ballot toward McCain:
Right to Life
“The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing that I’d do.” — Sen. Barack Obama, speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, July 17, 2007
Obama has made no secret of his endorsement of the Freedom of Choice act, a bill that, if enacted, would overturn any state, local, or federal law that inhibited a woman’s right to any “pre-viability” abortion, or any late-term abortion when sought for “health reasons.” For more information, visit here.
In contrast, the McCain/Palin has made a clear commitment to the pro-life movement. Palin is an active member of Feminists for Life and has been commended by Dr. James Dobson for “living out [her] pro-life values,” according to the Washington Times.
Foreign Policy
As the Russian-Georgian conflict this summer emphasizes, the world is far from peaceful. The United States needs to maintain a strong foreign policy in order to maintain reasonable stability, both domestically and abroad. The U.S. presence in Iraq, whether justified or not, remains one of the highest-profile instances of our foreign policy. McCain, who has personal military experience, started calling for a troop surge in late 2006. When Bush enacted it in January 2007, this article has intentionally tied his campaign to its success.
Obama, on the other hand, has been clear both on his opposition for the war, and his opinion that the U.S. should remove itself from the area at the first opportunity. Not a bad policy, but it all hinges on what an “opportunity” is: whether we wait until peace has been firmly rooted, or leave without establishing a secure government. His policy is unfortunately the latter.
Economics
Joe, the now famous plumber, has become the lighting rod for discussion of the two candidates’ policies, and rightly so. In short, McCain has promised to lower taxes across the brackets and reduce government spending. This means cutbacks in public services, but would allow consumers enough flexibility to allow the market to recover. Obama, however, advocates a national health insurance plan, which requires a sizeable increase in government spending. He proposes to fund it via a tax on ‘the rich’; a redefined middle-class category that now includes Joe the plumber.
This tax burden, though it will provide support for the poorest of poor, will drain cash from the pockets of a much larger section of society than the title “the rich” suggests.
Ultimately, your must make up your own mind, but please do cast a ballot.
