John McCain - Currently The Top Republican Candidate

Lady of Light

I was speaking with my friend and neighbor, Dennis, who is a World War II buff and historian and is quite familiar with the intricacies of McCain's military history and the details of his days in Viet Nam. This discussion was quite interesting, however, the thing that stood out most in my mind after speaking to him was the fact that McCain made a public statement forgiving his enemies from the past that harmed him.

As I watched Andy Stanley, Dr. Charles Stanley's son yesterday preaching from the church in Atlanta, he spoke of how the only way to have true victory in life is to have true forgiveness towards those who have wronged or hurt us. Those of us who are Christians have received the forgiveness of God through salvation in His son Jesus, and understand our responsibility to forgive others - to quote scripture - "as we have been forgiven in Christ Jesus".

When you find out that McCain was a prisoner of war and went through all kinds of suffering, you see how this man has risen above this by the nature of forgiveness and is now running the race to lead America in the future as President of the United States. For me, this new knowledge gives credibility to the man, John McCain and his character.

I then went to John McCain's website to take a look at how he stands on the various issues. The writers have done a terrific job and have gone into great detail about his stand on many issues. I have selected two issues to review. After the forgiveness information, I was interested in the Issues of Humanity. What does John McCain think about in his concerns for mankind? We will examine this and I will also go into his plan for Iraq, since his military history is impressive, and since he is a third generation military man, it will be interesting to see what he has to say about this also.

HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

Overturn Roe Vs. Wade

John McCain believes "Roe Vs. Wade should be overturned, and as President he will nominate judges who understand that the courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe V. Wade, returning the abortion decision to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat. He also wants to end abortion at the state level.

John McCain has publicly noted : "At its core, abortion is a human tragedy."

Promoting Adoption

He will seek to promote adoption as first option for women in crisis pregnancy. (He and his wife have an adopted child from Mother Teresa's Orphanage in Bangladesh.)

I am , myself, an adopted child so I can certainly identify with McCain's belief for the government to make this a viable option by supporting pregnant women so that they can give birth through government, charity and faith-based agencies and passing legislation to have government aid available to help with some of the expenses involved in adoption.

Although I am a "Right to Choose" person, I am also a "Right to Life" person (that is what I choose). I believe that the government should not dictate to women that they must have their children under any and all circumstances. This has to do with my belief about the role of government and the powers it should have. God gave man a free will, and I question giving the government the right to impose its will in issues of a personal nature that should be between a woman and God, not a woman and her government.

However, I like the fact that John McCain doesn't simply advocate abortion as some do, but looks to viable solutions and support for women in crisis pregnancies and that he, in his own private life has made a personal decision to adopt a child --thereby being "part of the solution" rather than "part of the problem" concerning this issue.

PROTECTING MARRIAGE

As President, John McCain would nominate judges who understand the role of the courts not to subvert the rights of the people by legislating from the bench.

"Critical to constitutional balance is insuring that where state and local governments do act to preserve the traditional family, the courts must not overstep their authority and thwart the constitutional right of the people to decide this question."

ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

John McCain opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes.

I agree that there needs to be reasonable government controls in Scientific Research, especially concerning stem cell production and usage.


PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY

John McCain has been a leader in pushing legislation through Congress that requires all schools and libraries receiving federal subsidies to utilize internet connectivity to restrict access to sexually explicit material by children using such computers.

I agree that parents need all the help they can get to insure that their children are exposed to wholesome learning materials at schools and libraries.

PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ONLINE PREDATORS

John McCain has taken a hard line against pedophiles that use the internet to prey upon children by proposing the first of its kind National Online Registry for persons who have been convicted of sex crimes against children.

This sounds like a good theory, but I'm not sure how it will work in practice. I do think that parents need all the information and guidance they can get to protect their children and this would require parental supervision as well. I am all for activities that help with parental guidance, whether on the internet or in the entertainment industry.

I must commend John McCain for his moral concerns about women and children and being aware of the moral implications that need to be curbed regarding stem cell research. I respect his viewpoints on these issues.

Now, we will take a look at his views concerning Iraq, which is of major concern to all of us at this time.

IRAQ

Bolster Troops on the Ground

"A greater military commitment now is necessary if we are to achieve long-term success in Iraq."

Implement New Counterinsurgency Strategy

Strengthen the Iraq Armed Forces and Police

Create Security Necessary for Political Progress and Stability

Accelerate Political and Economic Reconstruction in a Secure Invironment

"Iraqis need to see tangible improvements in their daily lives or support for the new government will falter."

Keep Senior Officers in Place

Call for International Pressure on Syria and Iran

With his military experience, John McCain seems to have insight into some of the strategies that are needed for longterm victory in Iraq. To further evaluate this and other issues of the McCain campaign, I refer you to his website.

McCain Tax Cut Plan (select quotes)

Reforming Entitlement Programs For The 21st Century

• Reform Social Security: John McCain will fight to save the future of Social Security and believes that we may meet our obligations to the retirees of today and the future without raising taxes. John McCain supports supplementing the current Social Security system with personal accounts -- but not as a substitute for addressing benefit promises that cannot be kept. John McCain will reach across the aisle, but if the Democrats do not act, he will. No problem is in more need of honesty than the looming financial challenges of entitlement programs. Americans have the right to know the truth and John McCain will not leave office without fixing the problems that threatens our future prosperity and power.

• Control Medicare Growth: The growth of spending on Medicare threatens our fiscal future. John McCain has proposed comprehensive health care reforms that will reduce the growth in Medicare spending, protect seniors against rising Medicare premium payments, and preserve the advancements in medical science central to providing quality care

Health Care Reform

• Comprehensive Health Care Reform: John McCain believes health care reform should address the rising costs that threaten families' budgets, business competitiveness, and government programs by making the entire system responsive to the needs of American families. Families should receive quality, accountable care at lower costs by harnessing market competition. (John McCain's detailed plan to reform our health care system may be found here.)

Border Security & Immigration Reform

On the Issues

Border Security & Immigration Reform Immigration is one of those challenging issues that touch on many aspects of American life. I have always believed that our border must be secure and that the federal government has utterly failed in its responsibility to ensure that it is secure. If we have learned anything from the recent immigration debate, it is that Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make the border secure. As president, I will secure the border. I will restore the trust Americans should have in the basic competency of their government. A secure border is an essential element of our national security. Tight border security includes not just the entry and exit of people, but also the effective screening of cargo at our ports and other points of entry. But a secure border will contribute to addressing our immigration problem most effectively if we also: Recognize the importance of building strong allies in Mexico and Latin America who reject the siren call of authoritarians like Hugo Chavez, support freedom and democracy, and seek strong domestic economies with abundant economic opportunities for their citizens. Recognize the importance of pro-growth policies -- keeping government spending in check, holding down taxes, and cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens -- so American businesses can hire and pay the best. Recognize the importance of a flexible labor market to keep employers in business and our economy on top. ation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society.

I hope that this information and my comments have been helpful to you. It is certainly interesting that on the day I am writing about McCain, news tells us that he has risen to the top as Republican Presidential Candidate! God bless you. Have a great day!

:Lady of Light