McCain: I’ll balance the budget by cleaning up entitlement programs
posted at 9:29 am on July 7, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
John McCain will send a message to fiscal conservatives this week: he’ll take on entitlement programs in his first term. Pledging to balance the budget in four years, McCain will cut waste and begin overhauling Social Security and Medicare, a bold vision that presents an opportunity and a risk for the Republican. George Bush saw his second term run aground on the shoals of Social Security reform:
McCain is making the pledge at the beginning of a week when both presidential candidates plan to devote their events to the economy, the top issue in poll after poll as voters struggle to keep their jobs and fill their gas tanks. …
McCain’s emphasis on balancing the budget is likely to excite conservatives, who have remained skeptical of his candidacy, and provoke derision from Democrats, who will argue that it’s a warmed-over version of proposals that President Bush failed to enact.
The Democrats shrug off McCain’s pledge as unrealistic. He has a $400 billion gap to close, as the CBO predicts that kind of deficit in 2013 under current budget plans. Can McCain possibly do that with a combination of entitlement reforms and surgical excision of waste? McCain believes he can, and points to the essential problem in a speech he will deliver this morning:
This Congress and this Administration have failed to meet their responsibilities to manage the government. Government has grown by 60 percent in the last eight years. That is simply inexcusable. When I’m president, I will order a stem to stern review of government, modernize how it does business and save billions of dollars. I will veto every single bill with wasteful spending. We aren’t going to continue mortgaging this country’s future for things Americans don’t want or need.
My opponent has a very different record on this issue. He has sought millions upon millions of dollars in earmarks since his election to the Senate. In 2007 alone, Senator Obama requested nearly $100 million for earmark projects. I have never asked for a single earmark in my entire career. He supported the $300 billion pork laden agricultural subsidy bill. I opposed it. He voted for an energy bill stuffed with give-aways to oil companies at a time of record profits. I voted against it.
We grew spending by over 35% from 2000, when we had a $2.0 trillion budget. Some of that went to the war effort, but plenty of it came in other discretionary spending. And, as McCain tells Politico, the real spending problem isn’t in discretionary programs but in entitlements. The explosion of spending threatens to overwhelm the federal budget over the next few decades, but already accounts for 58% of federal spending.
In real terms, we have increased entitlement spending by 759% over the last 43 years. In 2007 dollars, we spent $582 billion in 1965, and in 2007 that has transformed into a $2.5 trillion boondoggle. What’s worse, the rate of increase has speeded up. We have added more than a half-trillion dollars over the last five years. It took 43 years to add a half-trillion 2007 dollars to discretionary spending.
McCain at least puts entitlements on the table as a problem in the bloated federal budget. Barack Obama has only mentioned entitlements in terms of expanding them, adding new taxes as a way to redistribute capital through the federal government. A real agent of change would offer solutions rather than the hair of the dog.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 ... 8 Next »
Way too many mixed metaphors to even touch with a ten-foot blogosphere pole….
Branch Rickey on July 7, 2008 at 1:38 PM
moi?
Like I said, I thought better of you than to let your anger get the better of your argument.
Forget it.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Whail and gnash your teeth it doesn’t matter, because many of us aren’t going to vote for McCain. Choosing the lesser of two evils has proven to be a poor policy and I’m not going to do it anymore. Republicans want my vote, then they better nominate someone I would vote for.
You may be pretty tore up abortion, but McCain isn’t. It’s a non-issue to him that is so irrelevant that he is willing to give it to people like you to get a pass on more important liberal issues.
P.S. Knock it off with the “your not a conservative” thing it just pisses people off and cements them against your argument.
DFCtomm on July 7, 2008 at 1:39 PM
QFT. Well said.
fossten on July 7, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Ha! The internet forum equivalent of running to Mommy! The trifecta has been achieved.
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself. Kudos!
Gilda on July 7, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Awesome! Looks like all the fun regulars are here, rested up from the long weekend. As a gift to the McCain supporters, I have assembled a list of insults, loosely grouped in alphabetical order, that you can copy and paste from. Save you some time and all.
Abusive absurd arrogant asinine A-holes!
Berserk bigoted b*tchy blind braindead bratty beclowned Bores!
Clichéd charlatan childish clueless craptastic cannabalistic Crybabies!
Deranged disgraceful disgusting dishonest delusional douchebag Drones!
Feckless filthy foolish foul-mouthed Fascists!
Has-been hypocritical hysterical hateful Hardliners!
Idiotic incoherent ill-informed immature insane irrational irrelevant Illiterates!
Juvenile kneejerk Kool-Aid-guzzling Kooks!
Lying lazy lying loony lying lunatic lying liberal lying Losers! And Liars!
Mean-spirited mindless mocking MDSers!
Mouth-breathing moronic ME-o-cons!
Nagging narcissistic naive nativist Nutcases!
Obnoxious obtuse paranoid pathetic petty pissy pompous POS’s!
Pitiful petulant pouting predictable Pro-Jihadi puzzies!
Rude rabid repetitive racist relentless ridiculous ranting RINOs!
Silly sanctimonious self-righteous slimy spoiled shreeking sputtering Saboteurs!
Sad scummy self-involved senseless shameful sick sneering stupid Sore Losers!
Thoughtless trash-talking toolbag traitorous twisted TC Trolls!
Un-American uninformed unpatriotic
Vicious vacuous vile vituperative Vipers!
Weak whining wacko wienie wise-ass worthless wingnut xenophobic Zealouts!
And Liars and your Lying ilk!
RushBaby on July 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM
If TCs were just going to not vote for the man that would be one thing. The frustrations come from those of us who are trying to work hard to get out the vote and are coming against this idiot “loose to win” argument.
Squid Shark on July 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Could you please point out precisely where I said: “I won’t vote for anyone unless he is Ronald Reagan?” ‘Cause I missed that part.
But even as disingenuous as that snark obviosly was, that’s really the tip of the iceburg. Are liberal Republicans really that concerned about conservatives taking the time and trouble to opt out of our usual straight-line party ballots just so we can vote for B. Hussein Obama this coming Election Day – in percentages greater than the 50.00% of moderates who will always vote Democrat in every election?
And even if they did believe that, do they really think asinine insults are the way to win over a voting block?
Nonsense. They’re very, very obviously not campaigning for our votes. They’re just pissed that we’re refusing to go to the wall for John McCain the way we did for George Bush.
This is absolutely nothing but whining. And that’s all any moderate in the history of politics has ever been capable of.
logis on July 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM
don’t bet on his being pro-life…
(can’t put in the link, it won’t post for some reason)
right4life on July 7, 2008 at 1:44 PM
And that is your choice…
But isn’t it interesting that while I don’t say that YOUR choice will destroy America, many McCain supporters say that MY choice will?
The more rabid the supporters of any position, the more I tend to discount those suporters, and thus that position.
When it comes down to name calling (MDSrs) and saying that a position would SUPPORT somthing we are not voting FOR? (Obama)… and not a reasoned examination of the issues? I tend to get downright stubborn.
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 1:44 PM
And just to be fair, here’s a list for the MDSers to use for the candidate they love to hate:
Juan anticapitalist backstabbing bastardo bitter Bobblehead McClown!
Crusty comatose condescending conceited country-club Blue-blood!
Cussing cowardly cap-n-trading McCrankypants
Despicable detestable disingenuous dinosaur dipstick Dem-Lite McDumptey!
Elitist farting feeble flaking fragging foot-stomping fool!
Greasy grasping geriatric gelded gluehorse McGrudge!
Lousy lumpish leftist lettucepickin liberal loser LaRazan!
Mean mavericky mediocrat megalomaniac obsequious old McPain!
Pandering pasty pigheaded pretending pillock El Presidente McQueeg!
Scheming sneaking schizophrenic seditious sleazy squishy SOB McShame!
Surly senile shuffling straight-talk scumbag scorpion Sellout!
stubborn strawberries spineless socialist McSame!
Undermining tired-out temperamental Turncoat!
Washed-up worthless withered Z-Visa McVain!
RushBaby on July 7, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Whining, I can not belive we are being accused of whining by T.C.’s
Squid Shark on July 7, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Forgot to laugh at this one – as if the media will ever blame the Democrats for anything.
What the media will do is say any problems are the result of a bi-partisan failure, the solution to which is the election of even more Democrats.
Anything that miraculously goes right, will be credited to the actions of the messiah and his wonderous Democrat Party.
That any “conservative” could really think that a Democrat will be blamed for anything in this country, truly vexes me.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 1:45 PM
I do think that America will be fundamentally altered under Obama and his rubber-stamp congress.
I dont think it will be destroyed, I have more faith in the country than that.
But I would rather not spend my formative years unf*@#ing the damage done by his administration.
Squid Shark on July 7, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Get a life, we use the MDS to show how rabid someones disgust with McCain is. And it shows on this thread.
I never used that to define you, did I?
I was using it for people who foolishly stated that McCain was not really supporting what this thread is about. Even after over 20 consistent years of not supporting tax increases, earmarks, entitlements and unreasonable spending.
My theory is this, if you don’t recognize what his 20+ years voting record is, or if you purposely ignore it then you must be MDS.
Now if you attack him on borders, or drilling in ANWR, or abortion, I get it. But attacking him and saying he did not accomplish what his 20+ years voting record states and so easily confirms…well you have to be a real hater not to see the obvious, or you are blinded by MDS.
It’s like when people say he didn’t really serve his country in the VietNam war,or that he wasn’t really a “prisoner”, those guys are MDS.
It is reserved for the most rabid…the ones that ignore facts, over their hatred.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 1:48 PM
How are you different again?
Branch Rickey on July 7, 2008 at 1:53 PM
“I will veto every single bill with wasteful spending. We aren’t going to continue mortgaging this country’s future for things Americans don’t want or need.”
Will this include continued spending on social services to illegal aliens in his comprehensive immigration ‘reform’ bill?
This is California’s number one problem. Schools in my area have slashed transportation and teachers from their budgets while illegal aliens, (without health screenings and English language skills), are allowed to attend the schools because they generate money for the schools. Hospitals, clinics and emergency rooms have been overwhelmed to the point of being shut down. Jails are over-crowded; 1/3 are illegal aliens.
It’s great to hear that he’s going after entitlement programs for American citizens…why not deport illegal alien criminals, cut way back on hand-outs (really go after the employers who employ them) and build the damn fence!?
Crickets.
Christine on July 7, 2008 at 1:53 PM
I have something better, someone to vote against. Any Democrat on the ballot.
I’m not so much a Republican as I am an anti-Democrat. I despise with a passion anyone even remotely associated with that vile, corrupt and traitorous band of scum, down to the night janitor who comes in at night to mop up the donkey smegma in the restrooms at the DNC.
Yes, if we had an alternative party that had candidates who weren’t corrupt, traitorous scum, I maybe would be looking for a better candidate out of the Republicans than John McCain.
You, on the other hand, are saying the prom queen runner up isn’t a perfect 10 so you’re going to go spoon Rosie O’Donnell, since there isn’t any realy difference.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 1:53 PM
That is exactly what I’m going to do. I will go and vote the rest of my ticket, and either ignore the President block, or write in Duncan Hunter for POTUS. The “loose to win” argument is tricky. Yes Jimmy Carter helped to bring Ronald Regan to power, but that one instance isn’t a trend, and I don’t really believe that another Jimmy Carter will yield another Ronald Regan.
I do however believe that every party that comes to dominance for a period of time acquires dead wood. People that are republican only because at the moment it’s the right ticket. The longer a party holds power the more of these people accumulate, and it reaches a breaking point when people realize they suddenly have a bunch of politicians(people loyal only to power, and party is a formality) who don’t really represent them. Republicans are at that point now, and in the long run a loss will be good for the party, even if damaging to our goals.
DFCtomm on July 7, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Now who isn’t the “real” conservative?
DFCtomm on July 7, 2008 at 1:58 PM
What an arrogantly formed opinion.
Branch Rickey on July 7, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Problem is that on many of what I consider important issues… ie ones which will fundamentaly change America… McCain is wrong.
Did you know that the McCain/Feingold law is right now inoperative? It limited political speech in this country, and put an unelected board in place to create rules about speech, but that board can’t meet because there is no Quorum of the board. Thus you can’t even START an investigation. As McCain essentialy wrote this bill, it shows not only that he will NOT protect free speech, but that he wrote a really dumb unworkable law. So its now only a problem with viewpoint, but one of competence.
Same with McCain Kenndy last year. Once you got into the details, the bill was unworkable. It only gave 24 hours to do background checks… once again… basicly unworkable.
Now lets look at what this thread is about, Fiscal policy. McCain has been in the Senate for decades, with a rep of reaching across party lines to get things done, and yet there is NO BILL which espouses the viewpoint he now says he has. He already HAS the correct job (Legislature) to change fiscal policy… and yet has accomplished NOTHING… even when there was a Republican Majority in BOTH houses…. once again… either didn’t care, or shows incompetence.
Face it, he has been very ineffective putting forth ANY Conservative views in the Senate, while he HAS been pretty effective in things which are NOT Conservative (McCain/Feingold, and McCain Kennedy WOULD have passed except for the voter revolt last summer).
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM
logis on July 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM
You have company.
Colin Powell probably feels bitter at having been politically burnt by all that happened on his watch. Whether or not his disappointments were Bush’s fault, the CIA’s fault, international sources fault, MSM’s fault, or Powell’s own fault, it’s so easy for him now to sit back and poke McCain in the eye with bitter vitriol that “deserves” to be directed elsewhere from whence his sense of betrayal comes.
I admire Colin Powell’s lifetime of service to America whether Powell is or is not without fault.
I will vote for McCain with gusto should McCain ally with the finest GOP TEAM.
Regardless, I will vote against Obama the Marxist who is yet to-date ineligible for failing HIMSELF to provide his own viable legally documented UNALTERED certificate of birth for public record. What a pain in the ass, Obama nomen est omen.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 2:02 PM
I’m not a conservative, just an American.
An American who sees how much damage the Democrat Party has done to this country and who sees how much more they could possibly do and who wants to stop them, even if it means supporting a patriot and a good man like John McCain for President.
Against a vile, anti/non/un-American like Barak Obama.
Easy choice.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Branch Rickey on July 7, 2008 at 1:58 PM
If the shoe fits, wear it.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 2:03 PM
The Devil is always in the details. McCain’s not promising to fight against Communism in America – he’s just promising to try and make it more efficient? It’s pretty obviously the latter.
We have a tough choice coming up this November: the candidate promising Hope and Change – or the other candidate promising Hope and Change.
logis on July 7, 2008 at 2:04 PM
You just. don’t. get it.
It’s not that people think McCain’s record on spending is not what it is. It’s that people realize that one single conservative position isn’t enough to win over our votes, especially since McCain’s already gone out of his way to insult and estrange much of his own conservative base. I guess that’s where you’re getting your name calling from, just following the leader.
I can recognize that McCain is strong on the war and on spending. The problem is that he can and will still destroy the economy with his liberal policies. In fact, he will have no choice BUT to cut spending since revenues will be at record lows, following the global warming tax and cap and trade and millions of legalized aliens sucking the life out of us.
The problem with McCain is that his policies don’t fit together. He inexplicably claims both to be against tax increases and for global warming standards. What is that, if not a tax increase? He’s for the war but against protecting our borders. He hates the oil companies and “greedy” profiteers. He hates Christians but likes La Raza. I could go on and on.
fossten on July 7, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Got a life, thanks, perhaps you should get a clue.
Did you specifily point a comment my way? I’d have to parse back through many many threads to check…
Did you paint an entire group with the MDS label? YES.
Your constant use of the term in relation to anyone who does not support McCain… and your multiple use of the term, shows your thought process pretty well.
As does your defending of the tactic. Its EXACTLY like the Islamophobe label… EXACT same tactic. You don’t have to specificly target one person with the label… you paint ANYONE who disagrees with that philosophy to be a possible crazy person.
Basic propoganda technique…. and one which I truly despise.
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 2:09 PM
no surprise there!
and mccain wants to transform this country into AZTLAN viva la RAZA!
right4life on July 7, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Well, to you I am not different. To someone who actually read my post and was intelligent, they would understand.
So now I will ask you…
What tax increases has McCain supported?
What earmarks has he supported?
What entitlement programs has he proposed in the Senate?
I would think if you attack McCain you would have facts to back up your attack. If you think he is soft on earmarks, then you would have facts to back that up.
Apparently you don’t…
So you ignore his 20+ record regarding this subject…And so now that puts you in the category of DKOS, using your feelings and not facts.
Thanks for making my argument, you’re a perfect example of MDS.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:11 PM
R2B, I’ve pretty much given up with the MDS types. Trying to reason with them is a broken record. They call themselves the “true conservatives” in one breath, but by their actions they are certainly the most liberal in their tactics.
I applaud the McCain supporters here. I lo, I know from experience it ain’t easy. But they just haven’t found out that the primary season is done, and it’s going to be McCain.
They’re still pushing Mac on primary issues.
Again, we need to get him elected first. Then, go after him all you want. Anything else from the MDS types will only give us President Obama.
JetBoy on July 7, 2008 at 2:14 PM
The idea that John McCain is some sort of super-duper fiscal conservative is a myth. He opposed the Bush tax cuts on the grounds that they were “tax cuts for the wealthy”. His global warming and amnesty proposals would cost the taxpayer an estimated six trillion dollars.
And have a look at his CFG scores. In 2007, he did not even bother to vote on the bills before the Senate, and was given an n/a.
In 2006 he managed to score a 76. That placed him solidly in the bottom half of Senate Republicans, behind people like Vitter, Dole, and Santorum. (Those big spending social cons!)
In 2005 he scored a 76, which again placed him in the bottom half of the Republican Senate. He came in behind people like Grassley and Trent Lott.
As with other things, people are free to say “McCain is better on fiscal matters then Obama”. But it is not true to pretend that he’s the second coming of Reagan on these issues. He’s a Rockefeller Republican with no interest in shrinking the size of government.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Thankyou Jet… you just prooved my point for me.
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Energy tax increase. See McCain-Lieberman.
Illegal Alien Social Security, 2006. What’s the difference between proposing an entitlement program and proposing to make tens of millions of otherwise ineligible
citizenspeople eligible?misterpeasea on July 7, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Oh no it’s “one single conservative position” now that you’ve been proven incorrect.
I forgot that McCain is against the Iraq War, favors having coffees with terrorists and dictators, thinks allowing infants to die of exposure after surviving abortions is hunky dory and that criminals are poor and unfortunate victims of society.
“One single position” – please. You people are doing a tremendous job shilling for Obama, you have even taken on his ability to disemble down.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Did you paint an entire group with the MDS label? YES…
I guess you didn’t read this sentence…see I don’t need to continuously point out my positions (this isn’t the first time I have stated this). You could have saved so much energy if you would have just read what I wrote.
And the following quote by you (was that referring to you purposely not stating that I have no problem with people attacking him on other issues?)
If so then you must hate yourself…not accurately quoting, or quoting out of context is a classic propaganda technique.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Agreed. They’ve chosen to marginalize themselves to such a degree that they’ve become self-mockeries. The only rational thing to do is acknowledge their choice and concur with them regarding their own irrelevance.
Gilda on July 7, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Now, how did I do that?
JetBoy on July 7, 2008 at 2:25 PM
I don’t think they are quite as bad as the Paulnuts, but it’s still early. This stuff will be getting real old by the time the fall rolls around and the prospect of President Obama starts to really sink in.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Once again, you have to redefine to make your accusation stick. And you are back on the illegal border, that is all you guys have, is the illegal immigration issue.
I think you know his 20+ voting history is more fiscal conservative then anyone else. If not here is a challenge…
Could you name me your candidate that you would have like to have run, and let’s compare his fiscal voting record.
Name him quick before you have time to research and change your mind.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:27 PM
lol
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 2:29 PM
No one is saying he is the ultimate fiscal conservative, but you can’t discount (especially compared to his opponents) his fiscal voting record. We are talking about tax increases, ear marks, entitlements.
Those that completely ignore his record are not being honest.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:31 PM
True dat. Almost makes it seems that McCain hasn’t abandoned THEM, but that THEY abandoned McCain.
Get the Obama/McCain debates rolling…So far since arguing this point, a few converts to reality have arrived. More will when they see Obama and McCain fo head-to-head on all the issue.
JetBoy on July 7, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Actauly, no, I pretty much like myself, and once again you make this personal.
If YOU bother to read the thread, which was talking about economic policy, you’ll notice that some of us WERE talking about McCain’s past votes, and lack of leadership on this issue.
You were argueing against those of us who have problems with McCain, and then in a snide comment decided to use the MDS label. You and Jet use these side comments to dismiss and cast aspersions on those who disagree with you, even when they have valid points.
You don’t talk policy, you make things personal, and call names, as you have so ably demonstrated in your responses to me.
I might add, getting personal, that to accuse me of not being able to read and comprehend, when you can take the statement “Basic propoganda technique…. and one which I truly despise” while speaking of a specific propoganda tactic, and equate it to ALL propoganda tactics, shows a willingness to puroposefully misunderstand comments to you.
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I’ve noticed a distinct lack of reason in your comments here on any topic, but especially on McCain.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 2:36 PM
What bill number is that?
I can’t seem to find that bill anywhere.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Such overkill is getting over stated at a patriot’s expense. His “moderation” goes too far. But to go that far would be uncharacteristic of McCain. Whatever your disgust with McCain, The Malleable Obama’s total loss of international borders is more apt to your description if you want to stick to that tack.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Pretty simple… right2bright was trying to say that his MDS comment was not pointed my direction…
Then you used that exact post, and MY comment, and used to to make a statement about MDS’rs, thus implying I have a psychiatric problem, or derangement.
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 2:38 PM
So I guess you agree with the part about proposing a huge tax increase?
And no, I didn’t redefine. I asked the difference. There’s a distinction, but is there a difference? Along with illegal immigration, how about global warming? How about free speech? How about ANWR? How about attacking his own while sucking up to the Democrats?
You apologists like to accuse people who don’t agree with you of supporting Bambi and/or the Democrats. You know John McCain loves Democrats, right? McCain-Feingold, McCain-Lieberman, McCain-Kennedy? Attacking the SBVT and defending John Effing Kerry? Meetings with Dems about switching parties?
But he’ll fight the Democrats as President, right?
misterpeasea on July 7, 2008 at 2:38 PM
A while back, I agreed not to respond to you anymore. When I see that you can conduct a debate in a reasonable and an adult way, I will certainly try again.
Feel free to pose a question or a sticking point you have with Johhny Mac, and I’ll do my best to answer, also in a respectable way.
If you can handle that, go right ahead and ask…
JetBoy on July 7, 2008 at 2:42 PM
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Actually, I have an issue which I would like some thought from others on.
McCain has a good fiscal record, granted. He did not vote for the Bush cuts, but has changed his mind on those – fine.
He wants to reform entitlements. This also is good. I think it’s probably untenable, but that’s just me. Maybe it’ll work.
With all of that said: How exactly does instituting a cap and trade policy and begin to regulate carbon emissions help the economy?
What good is it to cut income taxes, if your going to institute massive tax increase (as well as mzassive government regulation) from C&T? And these increases would afect everyone, unlike income tax cuts (you know what I mean).
I mean McCain’s own financial advisor Steve Forbes says this about C&T.
Maybe he gets McCain to change his mind? These seem like contradictory policies. At least to me.
catmman on July 7, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Wrong. McCain-Feingold, McCain-Lieberman, McCain-Kennedy, opposed tax cuts, hates Christians, attacks American companies, favors global warming tax, cap and trade, YES AMNESTY, favors an assault weapons ban, said he would appoint justices like O’Connor, has admitted some pro choice positions, voted pro-gay-marriage against the Federal Marriage Amendment, led the Gang of 14, and wasted the Senate’s time whining about waterboarding.
Oh, and Fred Thompson would have been suitable for me.
fossten on July 7, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Simple. YOU FEEL that the MDS moniker means far more than it does. I know, I began using it a long while back, and had to repeatedly explain it means nothing more than people being “deranged” when it comes to McCain, particularly on “amnesty”. That they speak ill of McCainwithout know the real facts.
That’s all.
JetBoy on July 7, 2008 at 2:45 PM
S.109, The Climate Stewardship Act of 2003. And then there’s S.1151 of 2005. And S.280 of 2007.
misterpeasea on July 7, 2008 at 2:45 PM
But when McCain is legitimately criticized on borders, ANWR, or abortion, it is still called MDS. You’re blind if you don’t see this everywhere on HA. McCain supporters ignore everything he does WRONG (so very wrong) in order to justify the bare minimum he does right (so very ineffectively).
In the meantime, both McCain and his supporters go out of their way to insult, deride, and alienate whoever doesn’t think exactly how they think on every issue – thereby decreasing McCain’s pool of possible voters even more. So now who’s really rabid, “ignoring facts”, and deranged?
Redhead Infidel on July 7, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Psst… many of them are the Paulnuts. They don’t mention Ron Paul directly anymore because they’ve learned it results in instant dismissal and derisive gales of laughter. And if anyone ever mentions their Paulism, or the obvious fact that they work in packs (note the usernames that congregate) they tend to erupt into spittle-flecked red-faced indignance, with lots of foot-stomping “how DARE you” tantrums.
It is very funny to watch though. I especially like the nutty fringe issues they stretch to try to hide their Ron Paul agenda.
Gilda on July 7, 2008 at 2:46 PM
I’d like to see the “McCain is a great fiscal conservative” types here produce some data to support their claims. For instance, maybe they can produce a list of all the fiscally conservative bills which McCain has sponsored during his 20+ years in the Senate.
Here is a start.
Hmm, I see that while McCain has not found the time to introduce any border security or budget cutting legislation , he has found the time to be the sole sponsor for S.952, “A bill to amend the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to provide funds for training in tribal leadership, management, and policy, and for other purposes.”
And S.1255, “Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2007″.
Or S.722, “Walnut Canyon Study Act of 2007″.
Mind you, none of this is considered pork or earmarks, as McCain defines it.
But you’ll look long and in vain for any conservative bills with John McCains name on them.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Concur, valid debate ends when the 10% of whackos on both sides of the question are allowed to drive the debate to namecalling and unsustantiated charges…
Its one reason so many people will not get involved in politics… they can’t stand the people who ARE currently involved (and I put myself in this category, I’ve worked campaigns in the past, but right now I don’t support any candidate highly enough to put up with the idiots who run the campaigns and agendas).
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Don’t even try to introduce any facts into the discussion, you crazed unreasonable MDSer.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. Only thing is, some of them have been around here as long as I have. But, you might just be onto something.
JetBoy on July 7, 2008 at 2:49 PM
So did you or did you not see my sentence that I have no problem with people arguing about McCain on a variety of issues? Here it is again.
You got personal with me when you accused me of saying everyone who disagreed with me I labeled MDS, now I showed you what I wrote, and you still insist that you were “picked on”. Let me state your quote again.
See above where I don’t mind people stating other facts? See it?
You feel that you can misquote me, but if I respond and correct you then you feel I am getting personal.
Better re-read my post of
Where you accuse me of being a propagandist, guess that’s not personal?
How utterly arrogant of you. I took the time of point by point breaking down where you misstated me, and then you have the faux disgust of stating I am being personal. I have every right to defend myself against someone who misquotes me. For whatever reason, ignorance, propaganda, or MDS…
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:49 PM
right4life on July 7, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Update your research on McCain, because he is not for abortion. Whatever leniency you might note, he has never supported abortion. Stem cell research technology has been improved, and McCain’s stance against abortion is intact as is his promotion of adult stem cell research (NO longer frozen embryonic cells “saved” from being discarded from fertility clinic source, a policy he did not make but worked through toward the current NON-EMBRIONIC stem cells).
If you are unhappy that McCain isn’t harder than he is, at least recognize that he does represent the majority of Americans who are against abortion.
If in your argument you support Obama on the abortion issue, have the integrity to correct your “name”.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 2:52 PM
From what fever swamp induced hallucination does this come from?
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 2:53 PM
?
McCain Kennedy, McCain Lieberman and if these do not mean anything, you probably do not live in Texas, Arizona or California.
Johan Klaus on July 7, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Right back atcha, you secret lefty Obama supporter.
misterpeasea on July 7, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Will that be before or after you balance the world’s climate, Juan?
MB4 on July 7, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Wow, now that’s a principle. /sarcasm off
Branch Rickey on July 7, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Sorry, but still no tax increase bill.
Some bills may MAY have an fiscal impact. But a tax bill has the impact spelled out I believe.
Are you sure you have the right tax increase bill?
And don’t forget my challenge.
What candidate were you supporting before McCain? That way we can compare what you feel is a fiscal conservative to McCain.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:57 PM
How about we get back on track?
Those who do not want to vote for Mccain, fine, I am not going to waste time argueing with you.
For those who are voting for Obama, I don’t see any “Change” this man is going to promote other then huge taxes none of American can afford.
Who would you rather have? McCain, who proposes at least trying to fix the budget and we all know he is not a pork person. Or Obama, whom is known to under cut everyone and bring in weird laws and taxes that hurts everyone.
This is what we have people. This is what we were dealt. The choice is yours. Sit on the sidelines or the fence and shut up, or get started on what you want to have for this future. Because honestly it looks bleak with Obama as the President.
upinak on July 7, 2008 at 2:58 PM
I guess that explains why they don’t seem to give a hoot about national security, Iraq or Afghanistan.
They agree with Obama’s gelded position to surrender on all of them, at the expense of spending billions of dollars to build and maintain some pointless 2,000 mile long border fence across Mexico.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Excuse me, but deranged is a particular Mental disorder, one which takes pshchiatric help to overcome…
Just like Islamophobia.
I quite understand both its meaning, and its intent. Through using it, you intend to belittle those who disagree with your position, and say they are DERANGED, or, not rational.
When you explictly quote my post, then speak of those with MDS, it implies that I am DERANGED, or not rational, and thus any arguement I may make is tainted, and may be dismissed.
You can attempt to spin it, but your post showed that your reading of R2Bs and my posts, showed that you thought that HE was saying I had MDS, and was thus deranged.
And I still say that this is the exact same tactic as calling someone as Islamophobe…
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Quite the conspiracy theory. And obviously one you’ve spent some time on.
Do tell…who are the disguised Paulnuts you’re aware of? You must know, of course – as closely as you’re watching usernames and all that. Let us all in on the joke. We like to emit derisive gales of laughter, too.
Redhead Infidel on July 7, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Well, I don’t live in California, but I have a couple of businesses there. I know quite a bit about Ca., seeing as I had spent about 50 years living there.
What tax bills did he propose in California?
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 2:59 PM
The Republican Party is a dead rotting carcass with a few decrepit old leaders stumbling around like zombies in a horror version of ‘Weekend With Bernie,’ handcuffed to a corpse [That would be Juan McBernie].
- Larry Hunter
MB4 on July 7, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Looking at bills introduced by McCain, I found S.327, “A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement.”
The full summary states – “Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act – Directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a special resource study to determine: (1) appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting certain sites in Arizona, California, and other states that are significant to the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement in the western United States; and (2) whether any of the sites meets the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or designation as a national historic landmark.”
That’s not considered an earmark or pork as John McCain understands it.
BTW, it’s ironic that Cesar Chavez was a fierce foe of open borders. If he was alive today he’d be supporting Tancredo.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Lemmie guess, right4life..
Squid Shark on July 7, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Wow, that would about double Tancredo’s support, that’s too bad.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 3:01 PM
It was not a compliment. It was derision, however.
Branch Rickey on July 7, 2008 at 3:02 PM
That seems to be carrying stupidity and dishonesty to extremes. He did not propose any tax bills “in California”. He has supported policies which are bankrupting California though – open borders. So you are paying higher taxes thanks in part to John McCain.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Correct! Those discriminating against McCain on everything because of ONE thing have certainly missed their own point. Furthermore, those who would attribute all of Obama’s faults to McCain’s imperfections are deceitful.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Funny, you maganed to skip right past my citing of the bill which your phony “fiscal conservative” is trying to pass.
I think the only people suffering from MDS here are the nutjob McCain supporters You’re the people who are deranged.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Is cap and trade a tax?
catmman on July 7, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Read my 1:48 post to you. I never even hinted you were MDS, however, lately I am beginning to wonder.
You see Romeo, it like this, when we say Paul-bots, we aren’t really saying those people are robots, it is just a quick way to say they are Paul followers to the end. We know they aren’t really bots with little mechanical devices in them. If someone say “ditto head” we know that the head really doesn’t have ditto’s on them. If someone says Obama the messiah, we know he really isn’t the messiah.
So when we say MDS, we know you aren’t deranged, it is just a label to quickly identify someone who is so against McCain that they lose logic, facts won’t matter.
We know you aren’t deranged Romeo, everything is okay, you’re a nice guy, people love you, everything is okay…you don’t know where Jetboy or I live do you?
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 3:07 PM
The Paulnuts have been hiding behind the skirts of generic True Conservatism™ for quite a while although they sometimes slip up. Google searches of the format
site:hotair.com [insert username] paul
are very revealing.
That’s why it’s so funny when they start denying it.
If you can’t beat ‘em, mock ‘em!
Gilda on July 7, 2008 at 3:07 PM
So why are you ignoring it? I don’t see any of you MDS victims citing McCains legislative history.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 3:07 PM
In all humility, let us pray.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Well, he’s given it a lot of lipservice. I’ll give him that.
What I’m asking for is leadership. Specifically, what bills has he sponsored in his years in the Senate to reduce government?
And I have looked at his record. In fact, Club for Growth gives him a mixed review. He’s not quite the fiscal hawk you may want to believe.
Remember, McCain join Daschle to try to undercut Bush’s tax cuts accompanied by rhetoric criticizing tax cuts for the wealthy.
Something McCain forgot was something Reagan said and which every fiscal hawk knows by heart: The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.
.
GT on July 7, 2008 at 3:08 PM
3:07 PM
Bore.
This from a newby who wasn’t around before the rough and tumble GOP primaries began.
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Still waiting for the McCainuts to cite some of that “logic” and those “facts” which they imagine are on their side.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Cesar Chavez is so yesterday you nativist Gringo! I am supporting my hombre Juan McCain that’s the important thing for you to get through your Gringo head. Just as soon as Juan becomes el Presidente you will be sent to a detention camp in New Orleans to be reeducated. I sure hope you like a steady diet of bean burritos and that you like mariachi music 24×7.
VinyFoxy on July 7, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Squid shark, it’s fossten who claims McCain hates Christians but that was a good guess.
NoDonkey on July 7, 2008 at 3:10 PM
I see, so its your contention then that you are only an MDS’r if you don’t believe McCain on things which YOU say are OK to attack him on?
But that all other attacks, even backed by facts, constitute MDS? or derangement? and thus disallow rational thought on the issue.
John McCain has been part of the Congress which has presided over the LARGEST increase in the US government ever.
McCain helped CREATE the FEC, and give it power over Free Speech.
McCain helped CREATE the Dept Homeland Security.
McCain is part of the Congress with the lowest approval rating EVER.
McCain was in power when the Repubs held both houses of Congress… and yet accomplished NOTHING to help the economy.
McCain, as a Senior Senator, could have easily been on the commitees dealing with Fiscal policy, but instead was on Armed Forces… where he was ineffective in increasing the size of the military even during a time of war.
While I applaud him for his stance on Pork, where was his leadership on this issue? He ALREADY HAS the proper job to impact fiscal policy, and yet the fiscal policy of this country is horrible.
Why give a man a promotion, when he is ineffective at doing the job he already has…
Sorry, I don’t believe in the Peter Principal.
So, in YOUR opinion, does that count as MDS? Cause it isn’t on your list of approved antiMcCain targets.
Romeo13 on July 7, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Once again, you continue with the ad hominem.
But I’ll indulge you…this time.
Linky
fossten on July 7, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Touché!
maverick muse on July 7, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Thanks for the insult, you felt being left out?
Try asking your Gov. Arnold (and your politicians) about his immigration policies, and don’t blame it on some other Senator.
Blaming state policy on someone from Arizona seems to be carrying stupidity and dishonesty to extremes.
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Down to 4 points.
Gallup Poll
If the presidential election were held today, 47% of registered voters nationwide say they would vote for Barack Obama while 43% would opt for John McCain, according to the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking results.
WoosterOh on July 7, 2008 at 3:12 PM
That is breathtakingly dishonest. I quoted McCain’s CFG record here.
It is most certainly NOT one of the highest ratings for conservatives in the Senate.
flenser on July 7, 2008 at 3:12 PM
And who was your candidate?
right2bright on July 7, 2008 at 3:12 PM
I live in Texas and we have taken the burden of supporting the illegal immigration invasion and McCain-Kennedy would have been a huge tax increase.
Johan Klaus on July 7, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Translation: Hey, it’s just names. Get over it.
I guess when you call people “stupid” it’s an affectionate term, right?
Never mind the fact that when you call names you lose credibility in arguing the merits of the issue.
fossten on July 7, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 ... 8 Next »