Reagan vs. McCain on profits, business, and the free market
Compare and contrast.
Class warrior John McCain Edwards at last night’s GOP debate held at the Reagan Library (transcript):
I think that we’ve got to return to the principle that you don’t lend money that can’t pay it back. I think that there’s some greedy people on Wall Street that perhaps need to be punished.
HOOK: I want to start with Senator McCain.
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about the importance of leadership and management experience. What makes you more qualified than Mitt Romney, a successful CEO and businessman, to manage our economy?
MCCAIN: Because I know how to lead. I know how to lead.
I led the largest squadron in the United States Navy. And I did it out of patriotism, not for profit.
COOPER: I’m going to ask you all for follow-ups on this, but, Senator McCain, I just want to give you an opportunity to follow up on that. Is Governor Romney ready to be a military commander?
MCCAIN: Oh, I’m sure that, as I say, he’s a fine man. And I think he managed companies, and he bought, and he sold, and sometimes people lost their jobs. That’s the nature of that business.
Ronald Reagan, “What Ever Happened to Free Enterprise,” Ludwig Von Mises Memorial Lecture at Hillsdale College, November 1977:
Political demagogues aided by spokesmen for a variety of causes, some worthy in themselves but questionable as to whether they’re a proper concern of government, have created a political and economic mythology widely believed by too many people. This is why we need the communications. This, more than anything else, has increased government’s ability to interfere, as it does, in the marketplace. “Profit” is a dirty word, blamed for most of our social ills. In the interest of something called “consumerism,” free enterprise is becoming far less free. Property rights are being reduced and even eliminated in the name of environmental protection. It is time that a voice be raised on behalf of the 73 million, pointing out that profit, property rights, and freedom are inseparable and you cannot have the third unless you continue to be entitled to have the first two.
Ronald Reagan, radio address, April 1979, via the Acton Institute:
Our free mkt. system is usually termed capitalism and by that definition capitalism has hardly been around long enough to deserve all the evil for which it is being held responsible.
Most of us aren’t really conscious of how recently the capitalist system came into being. Possibly we look back & think of the extravagant luxury of kings & emperors & see that as capitalism. We have a modern counterpart today in the rulers of Marxist nations. The ruling hierarchy of the Soviet U. live on a scale more akin to royalty than do the heads of capitalist countries.
Maybe our trouble is caused by the term capitalist itself. Actually all systems are capitalist. It’s just a matter of who owns & controls the capital–ancient king, dictator or private individual. We should properly be looking at the contrast between a free mkt. system where individuals have the right to live like kings if they have the ability to earn that right and govt. control of the mkt. system such as we find today in socialist nations.
We have a very visible example of the contrast between the free mkt. & govt. ownership in a household necessity we take for granted. The invention of Alexander Graham Bell–the telephone offers us irrefutable proof of the superiority of the free mkt.
As recently as 1880 there were only 34,000 miles of telephone wires on the whole N. American Continent. There were dozens & dozens of small telephone companies using several different kinds of equipment and there was no inter-connection between these different companies. The same situation prevailed in all the other so called advanced nations.
If someone had openly advanced a plan to put a phone in every home, on every farm, in every hamlet & city and hook them all together I’m sure someone would have said, “only govt. has the resources to do that.”
Now strangely enough in most other countries govt. did take over the telephone system and to this very day the telephones in a great many countries are part of the postal system. In America the govt. wasn’t bulldozing it’s way into the free mkt. place as it is today. For that we can be grateful. The scattered, competing phone companies were left to the magic of the mkt. place. And that magic worked as it always does.
We take the phone so much for granted it’s hard to realize things weren’t always this way. We can dial directly to any point in the country and to a great many outside the country.
With no intention of insulting anyone it I have to say it only takes a few days trip in many of those other countries to where the telephone is a govt. service to realize there is a difference. A long distance call there can be quite an adventure–so can getting a phone installed.
But here we have them in our cars if we like, in private or corporation owned executive planes & on boats. We bounce long distance calls off privately owned satellites and use telephone lines for network radio & remote broadcasts of sporting & special events.
And all of this came about because private individuals wanting to make a profit for themselves kept thinking of better services to offer, confident that we’d want that better service.
This is RR Thanks for listening.
Reagan in His own Hand, The Free Press p. 228,229.
And attributed to Reagan:
“The best minds are not in government; if they were, business would steal them away.”
***
Related…
Daniel Casse: Romney blew it.
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Categories: John McCain, Ronald Reagan
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Private citizens seeking profit is what has always made this country great. Free enterprise – the ability to go out and make your own destiny. Isn’t that what attracts those from other countries to us, for the most part?
How many immigrants have come here and begun their own business, or purchased a franchise or taken over a business from someone else – and become success stories themselves.
Most may not ever become uber-rich and powerful – but within their world, they call many of the shots. Why? Because the government doesn’t interfere with their desire to do so.
McCain’s positions that he is now repeating – only show how much of a Washington “Insider” he truly is. His fall-back defense of having served his country ( which is extremely deserving of praise ) and his rhetoric make me think that HE thinks the Presidency is something this country owes to him. No man is ‘owed’ the Presidency… Individuals should owe this country, and seek the Presidency as a method of repayment.
I think that, given those terms, Romney, who has been given opportunity after opportunity by the circumstances placed in front of him, understands this and is more likely to be approaching the Presidency from that mindset.
Romney should have answered “Sometimes people lost their lives. That’s the nature of that business.”
Draft Newt Gingrich before it’s too late!
I also noticed that McCain played the ‘POW’ Vietnam card last night whenever he started losing ground on other topics. It’s sad that he’s using that as a shield for every topic he’s weak on since he knows that no one will call him on it.
He’s getting more slimy (slimyer? slimier?) every day.
While I respect him for his service and the agonies he suffered as a POW, that fact alone does not entitle him to any position.
I wonder how many liberals on the Daily Kos blogs are saying “If I can’t have Dennis Kucinich, I’m going to vote for the Republican candidate.”? Probably not many. Sad day when self-proclaimed conservatives act stupider than liberals.
Jrl,
Well stated.
______________________________________
Mr Vibeman,
That tactic is a classic Democratic move (kiddie shields, Cindy Sheehan, etc). Deflect and redirect.
I simply do not wish to see a Democrat in office. I will take McCain or Romney, whichever it may be.
The Hillacopter and Barry O in my opinion, want to re-engineer my life regardless, of my wishes to the contrary.
I’ve been looking for youtube clips of McCain in the senate:
1. On the senate floor advocating for immigration bill
2. In senate hearings when he lost his temper and badgered witnesses
I can find these. Does anyone have any of these clips from CSPAN? Please post.
This is the real McCain
Posters say they don’t want to see a Democrat in office so they will vote for McCain no matter what (presuming somewhat prematurely that he will indeed be the Republican nominee).
So, do you like President Bush’s handling of illegal immigrants? McCain will be worse times 10, the McCain-Kennedy “shamnesty” was only the opening bid. And with Kennedy, yet! McCain didn’t even want President Bush’s tax cuts – he thinks the government should have more of your money. As a Senator, McCain tried and succeeded in shutting down free speech – what part of “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” does he not understand? McPain and his Gang of 14 kept Senator Frist from exercising the “nuclear option” which would have stopped the Dems from filibustering judicial nominations.
The nation would suffer badly under McCain. And all the suffering would be associated with Republicans (rightly so). The current crop of big-government Republicans have proven they don’t respect conservatism or the Constitution. I will no longer hold my nose and vote for the lesser of two evils – you’re still voting for evil!
Vote your conscience. That’s how our system should work. If we keep voting for RINOs, that’s exactly what we’ll get.
longbow~
If McCain wins the nomination, I’ll be investigating third party candidates (and not Bloomberg, if he gets in). Isn’t there a Constitution Party??
I am old enough to clearly remember Reagan, and McCain is no Reagan.
Michelle, I think I have figured it out (as I was writing a response on Powerline): given McCain’s track record of counter-conservative legislation, I think he suffers from prolonged proximity to liberal senators, displaying a sort of Senatorial Stockholm Syndrome (for the mystified: Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological response sometimes seen in an abducted hostage, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger (or at least risk) in which the hostage has been placed.).
Methinks Supreme Court justices are susceptible as well! (Kennedy, Souter and O’Connor anyway….)
This needs to be fact-checked. McCain is claiming to have led the largest squadron… ever?
#1 Great post. We must not make the same mistake as we did honoring Bob Dole for his service (altho Clinton hijacked 2nd term election.) Hillary thinks the country owes her something too. Wrong!!
Repeating: There were many WWII heroes that didn’t survive to become career politicans.
Proud GoldStar Sis speaking for voices silenced by Japanese bombs.
Arizona talk shows are playing a clip of McCain answering a Russert Question last weekend, saying “Yes, I’d vote for my own comprehensive immigration bill if it came to my desk in the WH, but the American people want the borders secured first.” (as if he’s learned a lesson!!) *In other words,I still support amnesty…Folks this guy is a weasel and not to be trusted. He’s gone off the reservation enough times with other liberal weasels and thinks it’s okay to anticipate being able to do it again after he’s elected. I’m sorry, Republican or not, I cannot cast a vote for this loose cannon who is no different from Hillary. If he wanted to be a general and prosecute a war, why did he become a Washington Insider, instead of remaining in the Military?
I agree…..draft Newt ASAP.
I wish Ronald Reagan were still around and could run for a third term. But we have to live in the real world. The goal has to be stopping the Clintons from winning a third term. Consider the horrors of a third Clinton term: Janet Reno returns to the Justice Department, Maddy Albright returns to the State Department, Robert Reich at the Labor Department, and Sandy Burglar again runs the NSC. Isn’t this enough to scare anybody? Am I the only one who understands the enormity of a third Clinton term?
It is almost breathtaking to contrast Reagan’s words, ideas, and delivery with not only McCain, but with anyone else running.
Only Thompson even thought along the same lines, but he could never deliver them as well.
You really have to go back to JFK, FDR, or Teddy Roosevelt to see this level of oratory skill, and to appreciate how powerful it is. It’s not just charisma – it’s being able to frame ideas in ways that people can relate to.
You can be a lousy president, like JFK clearly was, but if you can talk? Wow, what an impact.
Unfortunately with McCain we get neither. The man is virtually devoid of any ideals that would be called even “moderate” by Reagan or those who consider themselves conservative. Moreover, he can’t clearly communicate even these bad ideas.
Also, a lot of folks on this board and others are afraid to call McCain’s service (and particularly his POW experience) into question.
IMHO, if McCain insists on bringing up his service record, then his service record is fair game for scrutiny. I am sure he received preferential treatment during his entire career because of his daddy being a Senator. I do know he lost more than a few planes (NON combat losses), and your average Navy pilot loses zero aircraft in their career.
Time for the gloves to come off.
#10 On January 31st, 2008 at 10:16 am, Dimsdale said:
“Michelle, I think I have figured it out…given McCain’s track record of counter-conservative legislation, I think he suffers from prolonged proximity to liberal senators, displaying a sort of Senatorial Stockholm Syndrome (for the mystified: Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological response sometimes seen in an abducted hostage, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger (or at least risk) in which the hostage has been placed.).
Methinks Supreme Court justices are susceptible as well! (Kennedy, Souter and O’Connor anyway….)”
Yep.
As the Brits say, McCain and the others in D.C. have “gone native.”
The bottom line is that the Primary System is a joke.
Well before the time it gets around to my state (Oklahoma) I couldn’t vote for who I really wanted — Duncan Hunter. Then I couldn’t vote for Fred Thompson.
Now with the Primary on the doorstep (next Tuesday) my vote for Romney will not mean a hoot because it looks like here it will be between McShame & Huckabee.
Cannot the final party Convention be real political work (i.e. struggle), instead of a vacation for rank and file, culminating in a coronation?
Michelle, with all due respect, you and the rest of the blogosphere, and other professional and amateur pundits, have made this political junkie want to care about anything, anything, but this election.
I have watched good man after good man get hyperanalyzed, demonized and destroyed by folks who’s own credentials are frankly not worthy cutting them up. You are included. Enough already. McCain has a long distinguished record of service and of fiscal conservatism. He is a founding member of CCAGW, and has long fought against wasteful spending.
No one with a record as long as his will stand the kind of scrutiny you are putting it through. The cynicism that you are leading has turned me off and I doubt I am the only one. I can’t turn around anywhere without finding someone getting demonized, and for the most part they are good, honest folks, with a long history of public service and sacrifice and plenty of accomplishments and frankly accomplishments that you and those like you that demonize them every single day don’t have.
I have had it. I long for Super Bowl analysis, or coverage of the impending crisis in Kenya, or even Brittney Spears because the election coverage is too much for me to take.
TXMarko:
McCain’s father and grandfather were both Admirals, neither was a Senator.
John was my Senator for nine years while I lived in AZ. I’d be more concerned about his volcanic temper than his legislative record or what he’s trying to spin now.
My wife was very active in the AZ Republican get out the vote efforts, and we were invited to both the PIMA County and AZ state election night festivities/ returns watch. We watched the returns come in with the Pima County Republicans in Tucson, and after the AZ returns were in, we traveled to the state Reublican Election Center with other Republicans from Pima County. We personally witnessed Sen. McCain explode at an aide and a reporter from the AZ Republic newspaper after FOX news called Florida for “W”. He ranted for at least 5 minutes before his staff was able to get him out of the public room. We never found out what caused that scene, as it was never reported.
Re #12 (Sorry, wrong war). My point is McCain does not have a lock on heroism. Thanks, but that was then and this is now.
I led the enlisted force of the largest Squadron for my functional area in Air Force Space Command responsible for 86 operating budgets worth $2.2 billion does that make me qualified to be CINC too? McCain is really out of his mind if he thinks that type of leadership 30 years ago can prepare him for the executive decisions required as POTUS. His only strength is his former military service and last night it appeared he was taking credit for the tactics developed and implemented by General Petraus and the troops on the ground, which I will give him credit for supporting. He is completely unqualified on the economy due to his long exposure to life inside the beltway and lied his butt off on his “born again” with his weak answers on illegal immigration. Last night confirmed why I will never vote for this man.
America was built on profit. The Pilgrims nearly starved to death when they first implemented a socialist system where everyone owned everything. They only survived when they enforced property rights where individuals profited from managing their own property. The tragedy of the commons under the initial socialist scheme nearly killed the Pilgrims in the first winter.
America developed so fast because most of the initial colonies were made by joint stock companies, ie corporations. They set up the rules to favor the creation of businesses and entrepreneurs. They relied on individual businessmen to recognize the needs of their neighbors and serve them, not the state.
Spanish colonies, by contrast, were set up to serve the Spanish king, centralizing and controlling everything so that the king got his royal fifth of everything. Consequently, business formation was thwarted and the colonies stagnated. This difference in basic structure is why the former English colonies are all thriving now and the former Spanish colonies are all economically stagnant and backward.
The pursuit of profit unleashes human imagination and energy. Most of the early American towns were developed by real estate speculators who laid out a town in the wilderness and then sold plots to pioneers. Daniel Boone was essentially a real estate developer when he created Boonesboro.
Profit is as American as apple pie. It makes America run. It rewards imagination, energy, risk, and hard work. Any American who sneers at it is a fool. Any presidential candidate who condemns profit should not be president.
Ladybug, here’s the Wikipedia list of American political parties for your perusal:
List of political parties in the United States
My dad is 75 and first voted in his first election for Dwight Eisenhower he’s voted in every Presidential election since and has never voted for a liberal. I talked to him this morning and his comment was “If John McCain is nominated for thr GOP I will sit out, I’ve never and never will vote for a liberal, The Democrat’s and The Republican’s are getting to the point you can’t distinguish a difference.”
I think everyone here knows my level of support for my fellow Marines and all other service members of this great country … so understand the following is talking specifically about McCain and not about all military situations …
Military service is something to be respected … and I respect McCain for his service to this country years ago …
however, it is not a free pass …
McCain “led” pilots … all pilots are commissioned officers … looking at the enemy from many 1000s of feet in the air in military aircraft … what they did is admirable … and some didn’t make it back … but each pilot is basically on his own once they take off … and flight operations are pre-planned … so not sure how much “leading” that involved …
That is not the same as leading men into the Jungles of Viet Nam or across the deserts of Iraq or into the mountains of Afghanistan … taking on the enemy directly and facing death head on many times every day …
Someone correct me if I am wrong … but I don’t believe we lost any naval aircraft carriers during Viet Nam … in fact I don’t think they were ever in danger of being attacked …
McCain has lost his way in the halls of congress and no longer represents the will of the people that elected him … he has become as obsessed as the Clintons with power and gaining the White House … he still feels like it was taken from him in 2000 …
I call it GKDS … Gore-Kerry Disslusionment Syndrome …
Like many others I will have to hold my nose to vote for him in November if that is my choice … but I will … especially considering the options …
ABC – Anybody But Clinton …
What everyone here needs to do is make sure you vote … vote for every Republican you can for both houses of Congress …
We must take back the Congress to be sure none of the Dem “universal” programs gets passed … and we must make sure we get to WIN the GWOT … we all know the Dems have no intention of completing that task …
I sure am glad that Mac made me understand how being a POW and a war hero makes you superior to anyone on economic issues.
I didn’t see the CNN Republican debate last night…I’ve heard it was a real
“love fest.” I’m very uncomfortable with McCain using his military background to make himself a seemingly teflon-like candidate. The thing about this defense is, it takes more than just your military background to make you a good leader. It also takes character and integrity to be one and I’m not sure McCain embodies these things.
McCain is trying to appeal to moderates and independents on both sides and he really isn’t concerned with how Conservatives like you, me, or Rush Limbaugh, feel about him. If he is going to claim he’s conservative, or a “Reagan conservative,” then he better prove it. I don’t think he has as often as he asserts that he is one. The Shamnesty and Global Warming issues along with his RINO sellout status are the main sticking points to why many conservatives will not back him.
However, there will be conservatives (like myself) that may support him IF he earns the nomination. Until then, I’m looking more closely at Romney. I didn’t really like Romney but if McCain doesn’t like him, then there must be a reason why.
When he calls himself a Reagan conservative he doesn’t mean that Reagan.
He means Regan the little possessed girl from The Exorcist. The mannerisms are uncannily similar. It explains all his outbursts too.
Mentioning Reagon is a form of pandering and a real turn off. Sore McCain, actions are stronger than words.
Well said, Tantor.
It seems there are too many people who fail to understand strengths of capitalism and the weaknesses of socialism. I really liked the way Fred put it, “The socialists want to cut the pie differently. The capitalists want to make the pie bigger for everybody.”
Capitalism rewards productivity in ways that socialism never could. It takes capitalism to create all that wealth the socialists want to redistribute.
The reason the NY-Slimes and the Demo-Cowards are Jumping over to vote in the GOP Primaries for McCain is because they know McCain would absolutely guarantee a Democrap win. If it’s McCain at least 30% of those who religiously vote GOP will stay at home.
Thanks Michelle, for linking the Reagan speech at Hillsdale College. It was a powerful read and reminded me, once again, why I emigrated to this great country. Many years ago, I read the book ‘Lonesome Dove’, it was a great story of grit and determination to build a better life, even in the face of many hardships. This is what made this country great. Electing a man like John McCain will take away that grit and determination, as the pathway to freedom and prosperity will not be earned, and therefore treasured, but given without reservation on the backs of those who did earn such treasures.
This must be selective Reagan quote time, so how about “[W]hen the chips are down and the decisions are made as to who the candidates will be, then the 11th commandment prevails and everybody goes to work, and that is: Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.”
(Remarks in New York City at a reception for delegates to the State Republican Convention – 6/17/82).
If you don’t back the republican nominee, whoever he is, then by default you have backed the Democrap, whoever she may be, and you will be equally responsible as anyone who voted for her for the disasters that follow.
With all due respect, what candidate isn’t going to get a political rectal exam? Best bet: Hillary, since the MSM loves her, but for the rest, it is bend over and think of England time.
You don’t have to scrutinize McCain very closely to question his beliefs, and, in particular, his conservatism. You know the litany: McCain/Feingold/Kennedy/Edwards. See any Republicans? See conservative principles in action? No.
You do see the Constitution being shredded and the country’s sovereignty usurped with unrestricted border transgressors. You see liberal beliefs, illegal aliens and lawyers being empowered.
No microscope needed here (and I use a microscope professionally, so I know).
One other point that McCain continues to make, which disturbs me, is that he attempts to compensate his shortfalls of knowledge and abilities by saying, “I’m a leader – I’ll hire managers”. In other words – I may not know about everything, but I’ll hire people who do know about those things to handle them.
Anyone with half an ounce of leadership / management experience knows that managers look to the leaders for guidance. If the leader doesn’t know anything about the subject, how can he possibly be expected to give good guidance?
He’s essentially pushing off the responsibility on others – that’s not leadership – that’s not even delegation.
What I get from his point on that is that “I’m the man to sit in the big chair because I can find good people to sit in the little chairs”.
Where is the vision in that mindset? Are we going to have ‘Presidency by committee’? If so – let him spell out now who he’ll put in these positions so we know what we’re buying.
I’d rather have a leader I have confidence in and give him the leeway afterwards, knowing I chose a true leader with a track record of problem solving and successful leadership decisions.
The thing I thought as soon as he said that was, “Romney’s a manager. Why don’t we just hire him and forget about you?”
What that statement seems to imply is that, regardless of our principles and beliefs, we should vote with a particular party – in this case, Republican.
This country has stood for 232 years. If I choose to not vote for a Republican Candidate who I don’t believe represents my core values, and instead not vote at all, and that action gives the Presidency to a Democrat, I will have, at least, acted according to my values, and can live with that – and I think the country will survive.
The Democrats who may have voted 3rd party or not voted in the past 2 elections for similar reasons, still have a country to fight for. We, as conservatives, will have the same in four years should it come to that.
Let us not forget the other races as well, those for the house and senate, which are equally, if not more, important.
I never have, and will not ever, vote while holding my nose.
The idea that McCain isn’t conservative is pure lunacy. He just isn’t a lockstep conservative. He started CCAGW. He is pro life. He is as hawkish as they come. The problem is that you all want someone that bows down to you on every issue. You can question him on the issues, however Michelle and most sites like hers hasn’t said one nice thing about McCain. The only thing that I get from anywhere is demonization of all the candidates. I am sick of it.
I guess NY is the only state that has a conserative party ,That is what I am in.Should have a national one.
Actually, Charlie, those who put up a losing liberal GOP candidate bear the total blame, along with those who would waste their vote on such a disaster.
The present Republican party is built on non-truth. There were WMDs in Iraq, cutting taxes raises tax revenue, torture gives useful information, illegal immigrants hurt our economy, evolution is only a theory, …
You have to lie for a living to rise to the top of the Republican party. No wonder they all do it (Romney, McCain, Giuliani, Huckabee, Gingrich, …)
Tell that to the prolifers who he is fighting, from Redstate:
“A key aspect of Senator John McCain’s signature legislative achievement, McCain-Feingold, is the legislation’s restrictions on advertising prior to elections. Last year, the Supreme Court heard a challenge to that aspect of McCain-Feingold in FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life. In the case, Wisconsin Right to Life had run ads saying, “Contact Senators Feingold and Kohl and tell them to oppose the fillibuster.” The ads were designed to prevent Democrat fillibusters of the President’s appointments of pro life judges, but because Senator Feingold was running for reelection the ads were challenged under McCain-Feingold. In the Supreme Court, every pro life group and groups supporting First Amendment rights backed Wisconsin Right to Life. Where did John McCain stand? He actually filed a brief in the Supreme Court in favor of silencing Wisconsin Right to Life. Wisconsin Right to Life won its appeal in the Supreme Court by a vote of 5-4 in January, 2007. Justices Souter, Breyer, Ginsburg and Stevens sided with John McCain’s attempt to silence Wisconsin Right to Life. We are one Supreme Court vote away from John McCain’s regulation of speech becoming a reality.”
Is Today Friday yet?
I just don’t get the connection between hawkish and being a conservative. Was Roosevelt a conservative? Was Truman a conservative, was Kennedy a conservative, was Johnson a conservative? They were all as hawkish as they come.
Conservatives were generally against contracted wars. Goldwater said ok, get the job done if Vietnam and come home. Don’t camp out their. Bush is definitely NOT a conservative and neither is McCain.
Not so. I don’t expect perfection from anybody.
Let me put it this way. I’ve had a long career in manufacturing. When I manufacture parts, I inspect them for defects. Defects are deemed acceptable or not according to certain tolerances. The goal is not so much to manufacture perfect parts as it is to make parts that are in tolerance. Some defects are so glaring and obvious as to require immediate rejection.
McCain has too many such defects and is beyond my acceptable tolerances. I will not vote for him.
“you don’t lend money that can’t be paid back”.How about” you don’t borrow money you can’t pay back?”I think that would make a little more sense.McMCain-what a schmuck.
John McCain is no hero. He was shot out of the sky and captured, but that is not the stuff heros are made of. Audie Murphy was a hero. During WWII, thousands were shot out of the sky and captured. They were not hailed as heros. Unfortunate, yes. Heros, no. McCain is no leader. What leadership positions has he held in the Senate? House? Here is where he lead. McCain-Finegold, McCain-Kennedy, and McCain-Lieberman. Anyone beside me notice a trend there? McCain and some liberal, and he lead.
His supporters believe what they want to believe about McCain, which is largely a manufactured myth buttressed by a couple of actual positives. In totality he is small-minded, obstinate, and intellectually lacking – not to mention left-leaning on many important issues. And there’s short, and belligerent. He would like for us to overlook these various shortcomings, and too many are willing to do just that.
I probably should refrain from pointing out the fate of most nations who chose to follow men who fit a similar profile. And if we face a McCain-Clinton ballot in November (always assuming they aren’t on the same ticket), I will need to amend the previous sentence by adding “(or potentially women)” immediately after “…men…”. Such a nauseating situation would truly represent the classic Hobson’s Choice.
Mr. Volpe #39:
McCain may be a conservative on some issues, but on others, he’s as liberal as they come.
The mainstream media is singing the praises of John McCain so not everyone is demonizing him – that should set off alarms to any conservative.
It’s not only the fact that he doesn’t agree with all conservative issues, its when he slams fellow Vietnam Vets who joined the swift boat group to denounce John Kerry and pretty much calls them a bunch of liars in sugar coated words that bothers me.
It’s when he joins in lock step with ACLU style liberals (including George Bush on that issue) on issues such as illegal immigrants – note the word illegal – and granting amnesty.
Yes, he did vote against cutting taxes regardless of what he says were his reasons. That, to me, is a strong suit for a Democrat.
John McCain has a lot of baggage that causes conservatives to not trust him. Why would we sing his praises when there are enough negatives to cause alarm?
This is so well said. Thanks. Thomas Jefferson was opposed to the idea of political parties because they actually create a CONSPIRACY against the electorate. Party allegiance becomes more important than integrity and honor. The purpose of the McCain/Feingold bill and many other campaign restriction bills is to maintain the so-called two pary system and keep out potential third parties. As much as Republicans hate Democrats (and vice versa), they fear a third party victory much much more.
Yes jr, he is a Total Freak
Can’t recall Reagan referring to himself as a “Straight Talker”. He didn’t need to, it was self evident.
Too easy, laddie -
The President – Tax Cuts Are Good For America
Add to that the fact McCain is obsessed with pleasing his far-left cohorts and it’s clear he just can’t be trusted on the few items he claims to be “conservative” on.
I am always Totally Fascinated by some of the posts here and what they reveal about some of the posters …
If you don’t vote to back the Republican nominee, then out your free hand over your mouth, because your opinions count as much as your vote – for nothing.
Sorry, Charlie, but you quoted the wrong commenter.
You’re more than welcome to throw your vote away on a doomed liberal GOP candidate – that’s called democracy, but I expect your demand that everyone else do likewise may not be as productive as you would wish. Again, that’s democracy.
I beg to differ – if those people who hold similar views would stop holding their nose and simply ‘not-vote’ for the top spot on the ticket – that’s a statement which rings loud and clear:
“No support for RINOs”
My voice can also be heard loud and clear in my choices for lower offices.
To say that I have to vote for one or the other Presidential candidate or shut my mouth because my opinion doesn’t count is ridiculous.
Sometimes silence is louder than a shout.
Thanks, purplepeep. I’ve heard of all those parties, but it gives me a place to start researching their platforms…
You don’t vote, you’re politically irrelevant. That democracy.
I was part of the focus group of voters that was on Hannity and Colmes last night. For ethical and legal reasons I cannot say much, but I can say that the group did not like the arguing between Romney and McCain. It brought them both down.
Also, the questions were idiotic.
Respectfully,
eric aka the Tygrrrr Express
http://www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com
Yup, jrl, it’s supply and demand – remember “New Coke”? They can sell it, but folks don’t have to buy it.
All this “must-vote” talk ….
If I don’t like Oatmeal, and my choices are 1. Plain oatmeal, & 2. Oatmeal with raisins…
Guess what – I’m not eating….
The democrats can have their ‘Vote or Die’ slogans….
I choose to exercise my right “NOT” to vote for either candidate if neither one appeals to me.
That does not make me irrelevant. Elections come about every 2 & 4 years… Until that stops, and we have one election where the results stand for a lifetime, I will always be relevant.
Indeed folks should vote, Charlie – but they have no obligation to vote for any candidate. Getting a vote is not a government entitlement.
Folks certainly can buy as much “New Coke” as they so choose. Or they can go for a soft drink that they don’t have to hold their nose to swallow.
True conservatives are not like ‘Mikey’ – we won’t ‘eat anything’ just because it has GOP on the box….
Someone should ask McCain, Who was the better pilot Lt. McCain or Lt. Bush
Looks like jrl and purplepeep are holding down this thread. Good job guys!
Whenever I see an unopposed candidate on a ballot, I write in my own name. Ain’t been elected yet, though. Mebbe if I asked folks to hold their nose and write me in too…? ah, well….
I’m actually a nice (enough, lol) guy, 30P, and I do understand the argument; I just don’t agree with it.
You get results when you hold people’s feet to the fire. That takes both hands, can’t spare one for nose-holding. Dogs settle for the odd scraps tossed in their direction, but voters shouldn’t.
Besides, I find the idea you have to vote for anyone an un-American concept.
Everyone here makes me sick, minus a couple of posters and this is my last post on this topic. One person said that McCain is no hero. You go and hang out in a POW camp for six years and get tortured and then you will have the credibility to claim he is no hero.
Like I said, McCain doesn’t fall in lock step with conservatives on every issue, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t conservative.
I didn’t like McCain/Feingold or McCain/Kennedy anymore than anyone else, however he has a long and distinguished track record of service and his career is a lot more than those two bills. What bugs the hell out of me is how everyone focuses on the things they don’t like and give him no credit for all of the great work he has done.
He went to VMI and gave an empassioned defense of the Iraq war and the surge when most considered that political suicide, and yet in all of the endless criticism no one seems to remember that. No one seems to remember that he was criticizing the Rumsfeld strategy nearly as soon as Saddam’s statue fell.
Most of you really don’t understand how bills get passed especially when you are in the minority. McCain is villified because he dares to try and work with those on the other side. While it is all well and good for everyone to be partisan here, in the real world if everyone is partisan nothing ever actually gets done.
This is a prinicipled, honorable, and courageous individual who has spent most of his adult life in service to this nation. He has done nothing but serve her honorably and that seems to be trivial to most of you when compared to his daring to not walk lock step with the way you all believe. Good for all of you. I am really proud of everyone here for villifying someone who has sacrificed and accomplished more than everyone else here put together.
Maybe the greedy or undisciplined folks who lied to borrow the money need to take some ownership also.
1/31/08 If anyone really wants to save America from “socialism”, it is Goveror Mitt Romney! Romney’s credentials are impressive: Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration from Harvard and he graduated in the top 5 % of his class. His education and experience have served him well in turning around firms and institutions while saving jobs (not losing workers ability to work)even creating million $’in profits by using sound financial decisions. He supports Second Amendment Rights protect individual rights. He strongly supports LIFE. Just like Reagan (who changed from Pro-Choice to Pro-Life) he looked at medical advancements and has taken a stand for LIFE! He believes in marriage amendments, a STRONG National Security and a strong sound economy! He is the only HOPE for keeping the “conservative values and messages” alive and thriving in America for the next 4 to 8 years. Support Governor Romney NOW financially and otherwise so he can get those messages in the media – newspapers, tv, radio – immediately. Don’t compromise your “conservative values”! Fight for them! The time is NOW!
Yeah, what’s so bad about Mccain’s obsessive drive to please Hillary and other liberals any way he can? How dare some people make it sound as if that’s a negative! Harrupmhh!
lgm,
be careful there lgm, we don’t want you choking on that kool-aide your drinking.
Mike Volpe:
Your defense of McCain is well written – and there is no doubt that John McCain is a hero, and has served his country honorably.
However, stating that we are essentially cherry-picking negatives in his record instead of looking at the whole pie is not entirely correct.
As conservatives – one of the major issues in our minds is, at this point in time, immigration. Conservatives have very strong viewpoints on this issue and ‘amnesty’ is not a word we will tolerate in the argument.
McCain has shown his tolerance for amnesty – and that is strike #1 in conservative minds.
Free speech is a matter which both liberals and conservatives value. McCain Feingold, in the minds of many conservatives, goes against the grain in that regard.
Strike #2
Conservatives also want leaders – they want people to stand up and not whine about this or that, or lie. McCain has lied about his opponent – there is no denying that when you look at the facts. ( A tactic he himself railed against in the 2000 campaign ). McCain’s rehearsed fall-back position on anything seems to be bringing up his military service and sacrifice… he’s been doing it since 1982 when he refuted an argument in a political face-off about the growing concern of him being a ‘carpetbagger’ candidate…
He spoke of his military upbringing – moving all over – making the sacrifice – and stated that the longest he’s ever spent anywhere was Hanoi. While it may sound elequent and powerful – it cannot be discounted as a shock-and-awe political punch at the voter’s gut. He continues to use that tactic to this day…
Your points – and his – seem to be “Look at all I’ve done and sacrificed – Vote for me – I deserve it”
Strike #3
When you start asking the country to do for you – it’s time to get out of Politics ( or join the Democratic party )
lgm is Troll Fodder and best left
I G N O R E D
After all McCain’s your friend. How could someone who addresses everybody as “my friend” not be likable?
Leave McCain alone!
On-my-soap-box#77 Yes, he and a few others.
30 pcs of silver said:Leave McCain alone!
Leave McCain alone?
And just how many aviators were shot down, killed, taken POW, or are still unaccounted for under his splendid, world-class leadership? Is his response going to be that during war, hard decisions have to be made?
I, for one, am not ready for a John McCain to further sacrifice our warriors, due to his (failed) military leadership experience. Normally, when a leader gets his charges killed, they are held accountable. Does McCain get a pass just because he was shot down, and captured too?
More accurately McCain was the driving lesilative force in an attempt to make amnesty a reality. He’s still fuming because Americans – across the political spectrum – took him down on that last year.
I wonder if those who expect support for McCain because he has an “R” after his name would expect the same if Ron Paul were the GOP nominee. And if not, why not?
It’s a joke, Marshall, ala -
Leave Britney Alone!
On January 31st, 2008 at 1:24 pm, purplepeep said:
Marshall Russ said:
30 pcs of silver said:Leave McCain alone!
Leave McCain alone?
It’s a joke, Marshall, ala -
Leave Britney Alone!
Is there a video of a teenager crying about McCain? I missed it.
McCain is a vindictive person and he will pay us back for pulling the rug out from under him on Shamnesty.
Actually, his leadership of that unit was after the VietNam war – sometime after 1974….
You know the old sayings: Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
McCain says and acts one way, then performs differently. He talks in strong support of the military efforts in Iraq, but then sides, and votes with the most liberal Democrats on the issue. He tells us now that he is a strong conservative, yet votes consistantly with the most liberal of Democrats! Hence the asterisk by his name, *Republican In Name Only.
I am grateful to him for his military service, but he is not MY hero. TRUST THIS MAN AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
These answers by McCain are very troubling. They reflect weak thinking. I am glad that he can lead but that was not really the question. And, if you want someone to lead, then you ought to be able to ask them where they intend to go.
Spot-on
How simply, but elequently put….
jrlingreenbay
Well stated there … I think most of us here do respect McCain for his service in Vietnam and for his early years in the Senate … but he is out of touch and no longer represents the will of the people here in AZ …
As a service to all here that would like to see a more thorough chronicle of his positions check the following links …
John McCain’s Political Positions
McCain Biography
Yes … he has been strong on Iraq … but he was weak on Haiti and Somalia and Lebanon … voting in each case to remove troops …
Here you will also find that his claims to 85% and 90% conservative voting record are also bogus … most of his ratings by organizations range from 45% to 58% conservative voting record …
He has always opposed drilling in ANWR and has voted that way every time it has ever been presented in Congress …
You will find that he first tried to pass his “Torture” amendment all the way back in 1977 …
He wants to immediately close Guantanamo and put the terrorists in Fort Leavenworth and give them trials on US soil …
See it for yourself at the two links above … and then make your own judgement on whether you want him as POTUS …
Just trying to keep the facts flowing here folks … passion and emotion are wonderful things … but people must not let those completely rule their selections in the voting booth … facts and truth must be considered …
One problem with McCain seems to be that his idea of ‘where we’re going’ is that when he drives us into an area he’s unfamiliar with, he’ll hand the wheel over to someone else…. one of his ‘Managers’….
Ummm…no thanks.
publiuswarmac9999#87 In the business world or the private sector people do not salute and say, “yes sir!” Here you need to be able to share a vision that people can relate to and join in on. The vision has to be reasonably attainable given the resources with milestones and goals set for measurement. What is McCains vision? Given his legislative record it is far from mine.