Letters to the editor

By Eric Pressberg

McCain promotes bipartisan collaboration for change

According to a New York Times poll conducted on Oct. 13, 2008, the three most important issues to Americans in the upcoming election are the economy, national security and health care.

Although Sen. Barack Obama has several strong talking points, if voters are truly concerned with improving our economy, national security and health care system, Sen. John McCain is clearly the better candidate.

In recent months, the economy has emerged as the single most important issue to voters. Obama hopes to improve U.S. relations with trading partners by limiting free trade, a strategy that will ultimately fail.

McCain's economic policy, one that is supported by 300 economists and 5 Nobel laureates, understands that economic success results from the promotion of free trade, not isolation and protectionism.

Balance must be maintained between foreign and domestic job markets by encouraging trade and increasing employment opportunities.

McCain proposes tax cuts for all Americans. Obama wants to institute a tax that would draw money from the wealthy and redistribute it to lower income Americans.

Though he may sound like Robin Hood, Obama's tax plan would leave the country in much worse shape.

Increased marginal tax rates, in the short term, would increase the material wealth of lower income families. However, over time, higher taxes would slow economic growth and decrease average income.

McCain supports lowering the income tax on small businesses, which would create jobs.

McCain recognizes businesses as employers. Cutting the funding of the wealthy, as Obama proposes, would strain businesses, increase unemployment and fetter the economy.

Obama, despite promises not to raise taxes on the middle class, has said that he is open to nearly doubling capital gains taxes.

This tax would adversely affect over 100 million Americans who own stock and property, many of whom are middle class. Throughout history, an increase in capital gains tax has led to a decrease in total revenue.

Obama's promise to give with one hand is negated by his willingness to take with the other.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, national security has been a concern for almost every American.

McCain is more experienced and better prepared to make decisions regarding the security of the nation, having served in the armed forces for over 15 years and as a senator for 22 years.

Obama has no military experience and has been a member of the U.S. Senate for less than a full term.

McCain vows to bring our troops home with honor and to provide intelligence officials with the resources they need to fight terrorists.

Obama plans to withdraw from Iraq before establishing a stable state, creating chaos for the sake of political convenience.

Furthermore, Obama's reluctance to equip military and intelligence personnel with the tools they need would put the U.S. at greater risk for terrorist attack.

Both candidates have proposed health care reforms. McCain's plan would allow the consumer to choose the insurance plan that best fits his or her needs.

The tax credit used to purchase health insurance would be inversely proportional to income, so that low-income families could afford insurance too.

McCain explains, "I want the families to make the choices. Democrats want the government to make the choices."

Obama's plan calls for bigger government, greater spending and limited consumer options.

"The Obama plan would enormously increase total health care spending, but disguise the extra costs by shifting them to taxpayers," said John Sheils of the Lewin Group, a research firm that does statistical modeling for health care plans.

While Obama's slogan of change is inspiring, change in our bipartisan government requires a moderate outlook and the ability to compromise. Obama is too extreme to effectively collaborate with conservatives.

According to Polidata, a nonpartisan political analysis firm, Obama was the most liberal senator in 2007, voting with the party 65 out of 66 times.

Since 2004, John McCain has voted with his party less than 60 percent of the time.

On Nov. 4, I will vote for a strong, long-lasting economic plan, a secure country and a health care system that puts people in charge.

I am voting for change. I am voting for McCain.

Eric Pressberg is a junior economics major