Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Wedding Day
Well it was awesome seeing everyone at the wedding. I really wish we could get together more often and not only at major family events. I had a blast!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Comparison of the candidates
Okay, I had told myself I would put this together when I first saw Richie's post about politics, but I was lazy and procrastinated and now we're down to just two candidates (more or less). I thought it might help those of us who aren't too politically savvy to form a better opinion about the candidates if they were compared side by side. It was pretty easy to do since there are websites out there devoted to that sort of thing, and I got most of the info from one site, http://www.comparecandidates2008.com/. I checked out other sites as well and kind of meshed and added where appropriate if they had additional info, but most were all about the same. I couldn't, however, copy and paste what I had done to the blog post, so I did it in separate pieces. It doesn't look as nice as the table I made that I saved in Word, but the info is all there. Anyway, I hope it helps some people or at least proves informative.
I hope everyone is doing okay. We just heard about Christian (shows how out of touch we are with what is going on) and have added him to our prayer list. Richie, I have been following along with your progress through your posts, have prayed for you all along and am glad all is moving in the right direction for you in so many ways.
Now that I've flapped my gums some (so to speak) I will probably go back to observing from the sidelines again because I'm just a loser that way.
Jamie
PS. I liked the videos. Richie, is there a way to attach/add just an audio piece? just wondering.
Name
R - John McCain - more>>
Current Job
Senator from AZ
Iraq
Supports current Administration plan. McCain thinks Bush's strategy in Iraq can succeed, and that if the U.S. fails to stabilize Iraq now, the threat of terrorism against American interests will grow. McCain has strongly criticized Democrats who support a troop withdrawal timeline, but has also criticized the administration for mishandling the war. He says Donald Rumsfeld will be remembered as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history.
Foreign Affairs
Believes Iran's nuclear proliferation is a grave risk, and could further destabilize the region.
Homland Security
Supports Patriot Act and wants intelligence officials to have all tools they need. Opposes detaining enemy combatants without legal rights.
Immigration
Supports path to citizenship for illegals already in the country, while tightening current border patrol. McCain wants a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would improve border surveillance and enforcement, strengthen penalties against those who hire illegal immigrants, and stop document fraud. He wants to develop a guest worker program that allows illegal immigrants to earn legitimate status. McCain sponsored the 2006 comprehensive immigration reform bill. Had it passed, it would have allowed some illegal immigrants already in the U.S. to work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, paying fines and back taxes, and clearing a background check. McCain believes that securing the borders is one of the federal government's most important obligations.
Economy
Supports lowering taxes to help small businesses. McCain says tax cuts work best in conjunction with lower spending. He blames excessive spending for Republican losses in the 2006 elections. McCain was one of two Republican senators to oppose the 2001 tax cuts, arguing that too many of the benefits went to the most fortunate at the expense of the middle class. He also opposed the 2003 tax cuts. McCain says he would not raise taxes, but that he would not go as far as to sign a pledge to that effect. He believes a repeal of the estate tax isn't necessary.
Education
Supports sending federal dollars directly to local schools, cutting back on red tape.
Energy
McCain is the chief co-sponsor of a bill that sets mandatory caps on greenhouse emissions. His plan would allow companies to trade excess carbon emission capacity, and would require emissions to return to 2004 levels by 2012 and to 1990 levels by 2020. McCain wants to see more investment in alternative-energy sources such as nuclear power, ethanol, fuel cells, bio-diesel, and natural gas. He believes ethanol will play a big part in energy independence.
Climate Change
Believes nation can't ignore global warming. Supports cutting emissions through market forces that will bring about cleaner technology.
Health
Supports importing prescription drugs to lower costs.
Social Security
Says Social Security is failing, partially because it's being unfairly raided to fund other government programs
Stem Cell Research
Supports embryonic stem-cell research
Same Sex Marriage
Opposes same-sex marriage (believes it's a state issue)
Abortion
Anti-abortion. McCain believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and that the abortion question should be left to the individual states to legislate. He has called abortion a human tragedy, and believes community action can go far in "the fight for life" by promoting alternatives to abortion and providing expectant mothers with the necessary support.
Gun Control
Supports background checks for gun buyers.
Name
D - Barack Obama - more>>
Current Job
Senator from IL
Iraq
Obama supports capping troop levels, and favors a timeline for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. He introduced a bill that would cap the number of troops in Iraq at 130,000, the number on the ground before the recent surge. Obama was not in the Senate in 2002, but was opposed to the Iraq war from the start.
Foreign Affairs
Supports more monitoring of nuclear technology to make sure it stays out of terrorist hands. Believes more needs to be done to stop conflict in Africa.
Homland Security
Wants Homeland Security money targeted more towards high-risk areas. Supports better protection for chemical plants. Wants more tracking of spent nuclear fuel so it doesn't end up in terrorist hands.
Immigration
Obama says it is vital to bring out of the shadows the 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. by implementing a system through which illegals could earn citizenship by paying a fine, learning English, and waiting their turn behind legal immigrants. Obama says the U.S. needs a better employment verification system and more serious employer sanctions for those who hire illegal immigrants. He also voted for the 2006 Kennedy-McCain immigration reform bill and is in favor of a border fence. Supports a fence along Mexican border. Supports tougher laws to keep illegals from finding jobs. Supports granting citizenship to illegals already here as long as they pay fines and back taxes.
Economy
Supports tax incentives to companies that keep jobs in the US. Believes NAFTA needs to be renegotiated to protect American economy. Obama would let expire tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. He acknowledges that additional revenue might be needed to achieve his health care goals, but says a large amount of money can be saved within the existing system.
Education
Supports rewarding good teachers with better pay, and expanding summer learning programs. Wants to increase federal grants for college education.
Energy
Obama would create a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, taking revenues generated from the program to help those negatively impacted by the limits. He would also raise fuel efficiency standards for cars. Obama would establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard that would require all transportation fuels to contain 5 percent less carbon by 2015 and 10 percent less carbon by 2020. He believes the plan would spur investment in renewable fuels and help reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions. Supports more renewable energies, and wants to look into clean coal uses to get the US away from foreign oil dependency. Proposed giving automakers help with health coverage in exchange for more hybrid production.
Climate Change
Believes global warming will bring devastating consequences if it's not stopped. Supports capping emissions with incentives to corporations that cut greenhouse gases.
Health
Supports universal health care, and believes government should buy prescription drugs in bulk to reduce costs. Wants hospitals to be graded on performance and make a switch to cost-effective, computerized record-keeping.
Social Security
Opposes privatization, and believes the system can be fixed with minor changes
Stem Cell Research
Supports embryonic stem-cell research
Same Sex Marriage
Supports civil unions, but not same-sex marriage.
Abortion
Pro-choice Obama supports abortion rights. He opposed restrictions on public financing of abortions while serving in the Illinois legislature. He said partial-birth abortion only focuses on 1 percent of all cases, and would entrust a woman to make such a decision for herself.
Gun Control
Supports bans on assault weapons and concealed weapons.
I hope everyone is doing okay. We just heard about Christian (shows how out of touch we are with what is going on) and have added him to our prayer list. Richie, I have been following along with your progress through your posts, have prayed for you all along and am glad all is moving in the right direction for you in so many ways.
Now that I've flapped my gums some (so to speak) I will probably go back to observing from the sidelines again because I'm just a loser that way.
Jamie
PS. I liked the videos. Richie, is there a way to attach/add just an audio piece? just wondering.
Name
R - John McCain - more>>
Current Job
Senator from AZ
Iraq
Supports current Administration plan. McCain thinks Bush's strategy in Iraq can succeed, and that if the U.S. fails to stabilize Iraq now, the threat of terrorism against American interests will grow. McCain has strongly criticized Democrats who support a troop withdrawal timeline, but has also criticized the administration for mishandling the war. He says Donald Rumsfeld will be remembered as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history.
Foreign Affairs
Believes Iran's nuclear proliferation is a grave risk, and could further destabilize the region.
Homland Security
Supports Patriot Act and wants intelligence officials to have all tools they need. Opposes detaining enemy combatants without legal rights.
Immigration
Supports path to citizenship for illegals already in the country, while tightening current border patrol. McCain wants a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would improve border surveillance and enforcement, strengthen penalties against those who hire illegal immigrants, and stop document fraud. He wants to develop a guest worker program that allows illegal immigrants to earn legitimate status. McCain sponsored the 2006 comprehensive immigration reform bill. Had it passed, it would have allowed some illegal immigrants already in the U.S. to work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, paying fines and back taxes, and clearing a background check. McCain believes that securing the borders is one of the federal government's most important obligations.
Economy
Supports lowering taxes to help small businesses. McCain says tax cuts work best in conjunction with lower spending. He blames excessive spending for Republican losses in the 2006 elections. McCain was one of two Republican senators to oppose the 2001 tax cuts, arguing that too many of the benefits went to the most fortunate at the expense of the middle class. He also opposed the 2003 tax cuts. McCain says he would not raise taxes, but that he would not go as far as to sign a pledge to that effect. He believes a repeal of the estate tax isn't necessary.
Education
Supports sending federal dollars directly to local schools, cutting back on red tape.
Energy
McCain is the chief co-sponsor of a bill that sets mandatory caps on greenhouse emissions. His plan would allow companies to trade excess carbon emission capacity, and would require emissions to return to 2004 levels by 2012 and to 1990 levels by 2020. McCain wants to see more investment in alternative-energy sources such as nuclear power, ethanol, fuel cells, bio-diesel, and natural gas. He believes ethanol will play a big part in energy independence.
Climate Change
Believes nation can't ignore global warming. Supports cutting emissions through market forces that will bring about cleaner technology.
Health
Supports importing prescription drugs to lower costs.
Social Security
Says Social Security is failing, partially because it's being unfairly raided to fund other government programs
Stem Cell Research
Supports embryonic stem-cell research
Same Sex Marriage
Opposes same-sex marriage (believes it's a state issue)
Abortion
Anti-abortion. McCain believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and that the abortion question should be left to the individual states to legislate. He has called abortion a human tragedy, and believes community action can go far in "the fight for life" by promoting alternatives to abortion and providing expectant mothers with the necessary support.
Gun Control
Supports background checks for gun buyers.
Name
D - Barack Obama - more>>
Current Job
Senator from IL
Iraq
Obama supports capping troop levels, and favors a timeline for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. He introduced a bill that would cap the number of troops in Iraq at 130,000, the number on the ground before the recent surge. Obama was not in the Senate in 2002, but was opposed to the Iraq war from the start.
Foreign Affairs
Supports more monitoring of nuclear technology to make sure it stays out of terrorist hands. Believes more needs to be done to stop conflict in Africa.
Homland Security
Wants Homeland Security money targeted more towards high-risk areas. Supports better protection for chemical plants. Wants more tracking of spent nuclear fuel so it doesn't end up in terrorist hands.
Immigration
Obama says it is vital to bring out of the shadows the 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. by implementing a system through which illegals could earn citizenship by paying a fine, learning English, and waiting their turn behind legal immigrants. Obama says the U.S. needs a better employment verification system and more serious employer sanctions for those who hire illegal immigrants. He also voted for the 2006 Kennedy-McCain immigration reform bill and is in favor of a border fence. Supports a fence along Mexican border. Supports tougher laws to keep illegals from finding jobs. Supports granting citizenship to illegals already here as long as they pay fines and back taxes.
Economy
Supports tax incentives to companies that keep jobs in the US. Believes NAFTA needs to be renegotiated to protect American economy. Obama would let expire tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. He acknowledges that additional revenue might be needed to achieve his health care goals, but says a large amount of money can be saved within the existing system.
Education
Supports rewarding good teachers with better pay, and expanding summer learning programs. Wants to increase federal grants for college education.
Energy
Obama would create a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, taking revenues generated from the program to help those negatively impacted by the limits. He would also raise fuel efficiency standards for cars. Obama would establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard that would require all transportation fuels to contain 5 percent less carbon by 2015 and 10 percent less carbon by 2020. He believes the plan would spur investment in renewable fuels and help reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions. Supports more renewable energies, and wants to look into clean coal uses to get the US away from foreign oil dependency. Proposed giving automakers help with health coverage in exchange for more hybrid production.
Climate Change
Believes global warming will bring devastating consequences if it's not stopped. Supports capping emissions with incentives to corporations that cut greenhouse gases.
Health
Supports universal health care, and believes government should buy prescription drugs in bulk to reduce costs. Wants hospitals to be graded on performance and make a switch to cost-effective, computerized record-keeping.
Social Security
Opposes privatization, and believes the system can be fixed with minor changes
Stem Cell Research
Supports embryonic stem-cell research
Same Sex Marriage
Supports civil unions, but not same-sex marriage.
Abortion
Pro-choice Obama supports abortion rights. He opposed restrictions on public financing of abortions while serving in the Illinois legislature. He said partial-birth abortion only focuses on 1 percent of all cases, and would entrust a woman to make such a decision for herself.
Gun Control
Supports bans on assault weapons and concealed weapons.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
HAPPY 4th of JULY
Hey everybody, its been a while since I've blogged, however I have been keeping an eye on it. Glad to see Jason pop in. It was good to here from you Jay. I wish more of us would just write something, and not leave it up to Rich. With the Summer Olympics coming up maybe we will have something to say to each other.
Dads wedding is soon, so we will see each other.
The marathon was one of the toughest things I have ever done and I would like to attempt it again, hopefully next year, 2009. I have been trying to keep up with the running. I am working towards 4 times a week right now.
Lets all keep Christian in our prayers.
Happy 4th of July
Love you all.
Tim
Dads wedding is soon, so we will see each other.
The marathon was one of the toughest things I have ever done and I would like to attempt it again, hopefully next year, 2009. I have been trying to keep up with the running. I am working towards 4 times a week right now.
Lets all keep Christian in our prayers.
Happy 4th of July
Love you all.
Tim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
