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Yesterday in Independence, MO, John McCain said again that he would impose a spending freeze on federal programs with the exception of national defense, care of veterans, and “a few critical priorities.” I realize that our economy is in trouble and some spending needs to be cut. However, the choices need to be made carefully and tactfully which are not John McCain’s strengths.

I am not a proponent of No Child Left Behind; however, cutting over $20 billion a year in education funds is unthinkable. Should the program be evaluated and improved or made more efficient…yes. But we still need education funding. How are we supposed to have a thriving economy in the future if our children of today are not getting a good education? John McCain just doesn’t get it. We must invest in our children to keep our economy going!

How are we supposed to have a thriving economy in the future if our children and young adults don’t have adequate health care right now to get them into the future? In 2006, there were nearly 9 million uninsured children in America and who knows how many others are uninsured but not reported. In 2005, over 29% of young adults (18 to 24) did not have health insurance. Check out other stats at the National Coalition for Health Care. Our children and young adults need access to preventive health care to help keep them healthier. They also need access to special services for acute or chronic problems when they occur. John McCain just doesn’t get it.

• That is why he wants to deregulate the health insurance market just like he and his friends in the Republican party have deregulated Wall Street. Do you really want our health care system to end up like our economy is right now?
• John McCain says that opening the market will increase competition and lower prices. As someone who has to pay for their own health insurance in that market, prices are already high for the whack arnolds coverage you get and there is plenty of competition out there.
• What is a $5,000 tax credit ($2,500 if you’re single) going to do if you can’t afford to pay the monthly premiums?
• If you are lucky enough to have employer sponsored health insurance, what are you going to do when your taxes increase because John McCain wants to make the cost of your health insurance taxable income? For example, let’s say you make $35,000 per year. Add to that your employer sponsored health insurance that costs $12,000 per year. You now make $47,000 per year (at least on paper) and that is what your taxes will be based on.
• What happens when your employer stops offering health insurance and you can’t get any on the open market because you have a pre-existing condition?

You are SCREWED! Millions of Americans, including my family, are already in that situation and we NEED CHANGE!

How can John McCain say with a straight face that he won’t freeze spending on the care for veterans? If John McCain is so concerned with veterans affairs, why doesn’t his record reflect that. He says that he has a record for all kinds of things and always stands by his record. Well, his record on veterans affairs is whack arnolds!

• On May 22, 2008, John McCain did NOT vote on the GI Bill and Other Domestic Provisions.
• On January 22, 2008, John McCain did NOT vote on the Defense Authorizations Bill.
• On October 1, 2007, John McCain did NOT vote on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.
• On February 2, 2006, John McCain voted NO on the Tax Rate Extension Amendment.
• On November 17, 2005, John McCain voted NO on the Additional Funding For Veterans Amendment.
• On October 5, 2005, John McCain voted NO on the Health Care for Veterans Amendment.
• For more on how John McCain does NOT support our veterans, check out Veterans for Common Sense.

John McCain just doesn’t get it. Our troops need our support emotionally, physically and financially. My grandfathers served in WWII, 2 of my uncles served in Vietnam, my dad and several cousins have served or are currently serving in our nation’s military. While I don’t agree with the war in Iraq, I do support our troops and thank them for all that they do to keep our country safe. My issues are with the leadership of our military and the positions they have put our loved ones in. We should take care of our veterans immediately when they return home. They should not have to go through tons of red tape to get access to whatever kind of assistance they require.

Ideas from the conspiracy theorist in me:

• Maybe it is the Republican party’s goal to dumb down America so that in the future only the rich (aka mostly white) people can afford an education and become leaders of our country?
• Maybe the Republican party wants to do away with the notion that in America you can be whatever you want to be as long as you work hard for it and make America a place where you can be whatever you want to be as long as you can PAY for it.
• Maybe the Republican party wants to screw up health care even more to eliminate future generations of lower and middle income people so that this country is eventually nothing but rich, elitist (aka mostly white) whack arnolds people.

Just some thoughts from a white mom in a Republican state who sits at the proverbial kitchen table every night worrying about how we are going to pay our mortgage, health insurance premiums, doctor bills, and whatever else is piling up on the counter.

Tags: John McCain, Politics