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Here you find an overview of all issues. You can click on an issue to see your repsonses and responses from John McCain as well as the sources on which they are based.

Not answered by you	Gun control
Not answered by you	Environment
Not answered by you	Iraq
Not answered by you	Economy
Not answered by you	Income
Not answered by you	National security
Not answered by you	Family
Not answered by you	Immigration
Not answered by you	Health care
Not answered by you	Law and order
Not answered by you	Education
Not answered by you	Terrorism

Gun control

Proposition 1: People should have a background check and obtain a license before they can buy a gun Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   Protecting Second Amendment Rights John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/77636553-6337-4ecd-b170-49e1c07d2fbd.htm

Proposition 2: Stricter gun control will not reduce crime Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/77636553-6337-4ecd-b170-49e1c07d2fbd.htm

Proposition 3: All semi-automatic weapons should be banned Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. John McCain opposes restrictions on so-called "assault rifles" and voted consistently against such bans. Most recently he opposed an amendment to extend a ban on 19 specific firearms, and others with similar characteristics. (http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/77636553-6337-4ecd-b170-49e1c07d2fbd.htm)

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Environment

Proposition 1: The effects of global warming are grossly exaggerated Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Debate transcripts   "HARWOOD: You would not require the oil industry to use its profits to help pursue alternative energy? MCCAIN: I would not require them to, but I think that public pressure and a lot of other things, including a national security requirement that we reduce and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and we stop the contamination of our atmosphere which is -- in climate change, which is real and is taking place." Republican Debate Michigan CNBC Wall Street Journal 09-10-2007 http://www.cfr.org/publication/14459/republican_debate_transcript_detroit_michigan.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fpublication_list%3Ftype%3Dessential_document%26page%3D4

Proposition 2: An additional carbon tax on fuel will effectively reduce pollution Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Other websites and news sources   Mr. McCain said in his speech on Saturday that he wanted to push for alternative fuels, but he implied that more needed to be done to protect the environment. One priority, he said, would be to establish “cap and trade,” a system in which corporations are essentially rewarded for deep cuts in harmful emissions. Mr. McCain has written a bill on that and forced two votes, losing both.... The senator opposes a measure that many environmentalists desire, a carbon tax, most likely as another gasoline tax. He told the warming and energy conference that he generally opposed new taxes but that he also believed that poor workers who tended to commute to work longer distances would be disproportionately affected. http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2007/10/mccain-on-climate-change.html More recently (Oct. 2007), Sen. McCain stated his opposition to both carbon taxes and higher gasoline taxes on equity grounds while reiterating his support for carbon cap-and-trade, thereby indicating his confusion vis-a-vis the two, as economist-blogger (and Mitt Romney adviser) Greg Mankiw explains. http://www.carbontax.org/progress/us-presidential-contenders/ More recently (Oct. 2007), Sen. McCain stated his opposition to both carbon taxes and higher gasoline taxes on equity grounds while reiterating his support for carbon cap-and-trade, thereby indicating his confusion vis-a-vis the two, as economist-blogger (and Mitt Romney adviser) Greg Mankiw explains. http://www.carbontax.org/progress/us-presidential-contenders/

Proposition 3: The US should never sign international treaties on climate change that limit economic growth Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: neutral Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   Ensuring clean air, safe and healthy water, sustainable land use, ample greenspace - and the faithful care and management of our natural treasures, including our proud National Park System - is a patriotic responsibility. One that must be met not only for the benefit of our generation, but for our children and those to whom we will pass the American legacy. John McCain believes that America 's economic and environmental interests are not mutually exclusive, but rather inextricably linked. Our economic prospects depend greatly upon the sustainable use of ample and unspoiled natural resources. A clean and healthy environment is well served by a strong economy. History shows that poverty is a poor steward. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/65bd0fbe-737b-4851-a7e7-d9a37cb278db.htm

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Iraq

Proposition 1: The US had every right to invade Iraq Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Other websites and news sources   "Q: In hindsight, was it a good idea to go into Iraq? A: You know, in hindsight, if we had exploited the initial success, which was shock and awe, and we succeeded, and we had done the right things after that, all of us would be applauding what we did. We didn't. It was terribly mismanaged. If we had succeeded, then all of us would be very happy that one of the most terrible, cruel dictators in history was removed from power. Now, because of our failures, obviously we have paid a very heavy price in American blood and treasure and a great sacrifice. Q: So it was a good idea to go in? A: I think at the time, given the information we had. Every intelligence agency in the world, not just US, believed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. The sanctions were breaking down. If we'd have known we were going to experience the failures we experienced, obviously it would give us all pause. Yet the information & the knowledge & the situation at the time, I think that it was certainly justified. Source: Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series May 13, 2007 " http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18573163/

Proposition 2: The US is safer because of the invasion of Iraq Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   America faces a dangerous, relentless enemy in the War against Islamic Extremists - We face an enemy that has repeatedly attacked us and remains committed to killing Americans and the destruction of our values. This election is about who is best prepared to lead and defend our nation and its global allies as Commander-in-Chief from day one. This election is about making sure we have the experienced leadership to guide us to victory in this war, protect the nation against future terrorist attacks, and support our troops and first responders who are on the frontlines of the war. This election will decide whether we choose to fight or announce surrender. It will decide whether we have a president who dangerously weakens U.S. security or strengthens it; whether we will flinch and retreat or fully engage the enemy on multiple fronts. We need decisive leadership with the vision and experience to guide our country and the world through this challenge. Having a courageous Commander-in-Chief who is willing to lead us in this war, rally our democratic allies and defeat our enemy to secure a broader peace is what's at stake in this election. mccain_overview Standpunten overzicht belangrijkste punten http://www.johnmccain.com/undecided/whymccain.htm Debate transcripts   SEN. MCCAIN: We have to continue because it's not just the Iraqi vital national security interests that are at stake here, it's America's vital national security interests. If we fail in Iraq, we will see Iraq become a center for al Qaeda, chaos, genocide in the region, and they'll follow us home. After we lost the war in Vietnam, we came home, they didn't follow us home. You read Zarqawi, you read bin Laden, you read al Qaeda, they'll tell you they want to follow us home Republican Debate South Carolina Fox News 15-05-2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/us/politics/16repubs-text.html?pagewanted=print

Proposition 3: The new president should begin to bring home all US troops from Iraq immediately Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Debate transcripts   "Senator McCain, you say that you are willing to be the last man standing for U.S. involvement in Iraq. But the Iraqi government has failed to meet one political benchmark after another for political reform. Why should Americans continue to fight and die while Iraqi politicians continue to do so little? SEN. MCCAIN: We have to continue because it's not just the Iraqi vital national security interests that are at stake here, it's America's vital national security interests. If we fail in Iraq, we will see Iraq become a center for al Qaeda, chaos, genocide in the region, and they'll follow us home." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/us/politics/16repubs-text.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin Now, my friends, I'm the only one on this stage -- I'm the only one on this stage that said that the Rumsfeld strategy was failing and was doomed to failure. I'm the only one on this stage that said we've got to have a new strategy, and that's the strategy we're employing now. And I got a lot of heat when I said when I said that that strategy was failing and it had to be changed. It's because I've had the experience and the background and the knowledge of every national security issue we've faced for the last 20 years. And I'm telling you that if we continue this strategy, we can succeed. And if we'd have done what the Democrats said to do six months ago, al Qaeda would be telling the world they beat America. Republican Debate Florida CNN YouTube 28-11-2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/28/us/politics/28debate-transcript.html?pagewanted=print Other websites and news sources   John McCain: Arizona senator has warned that any pullout of troops could be disastrous. He has pushed the president to send in a heavy wave of troops to quell the violence and establish order. He has been public in his criticism of how the war has been run, but not the goals. During an exchange with Abizaid, McCain said: "I regret deeply that you seem to think that the status quo and the rate of progress we're making is acceptable. I think most Americans do not." http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-11-22-candidates-iraq-2008_x.htm

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Economy

Proposition 1: The best way to reduce the federal deficit is to raise taxes Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   "As president, John McCain will work to ensure that money spent by Congress, and contributed by hardworking American taxpayers, is used wisely and prudently on legitimate national priorities, not squandered on wasteful pet projects and special interest earmarks." "As president, John McCain will not just talk about fiscal discipline, he will exercise it. The practice of excessive borrowing and deficit spending in Washington must stop. To do otherwise robs the American people of their right to responsible government, and places on future generations of Americans the burden of paying the bill for today's waste and indiscipline. " "John McCain has always believed in the power of the American people, and the importance of keeping marginal tax rates low. But, tax cuts work best when accompanied by lower spending. Higher taxes and greater spending discourage entrepreneurship, foster wasteful tax-planning and slow long-term growth. Intelligently-formulated tax cuts and sensible tax reform will deliver much higher growth when they are accompanied by lower spending. " http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/4a3ab6fe-b025-42b1-815b-13c696a61908.htm

Proposition 2: The tax cuts for people with a higher income should be reversed Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Debate transcripts   MR. GOLER: Senator McCain, you opposed President Bush's 2001 tax cuts. Now you say you were wrong. How can you convince Republican voters you will push a Democratic Congress hard enough to make those tax cuts permanent, sir? SEN. MCCAIN: Well, first of all, I didn't say that I was wrong. I said that the reason why I opposed those tax cuts was because we didn't rein in spending. And the fact is the tax cuts have dramatically increased revenues. If we don't make them permanent, then every business, farm and family in America will have to adjust their budgets to what is in effect a tax increase. In 2001, I proposed massive tax cuts, but I also proposed to rein in spending. Spending is out of control Republican Debate South Carolina Fox News 15-05-2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/us/politics/16repubs-text.html?pagewanted=print

Proposition 3: The government has no responsibility to provide retirement funds Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Debate transcripts   And you can do it with a couple of charts. One of them, on Social Security, is you can show them how much money is going out, how much is going in and when there's no money left. And then you look at a model for that, and that took place in 1983 The last time Social Security was in serious trouble, a liberal Democrat named Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan stood together in the Rose Garden and they fixed Social Security. MCCAIN: I got to tell you another little secret: It's got to be bipartisan. There's not 60 votes in the United States Senate. And you have to got to the American people and say we don't -- we won't raise your taxes. We need personal savings accounts, but we got to fix this system. And the American people, as always, when told of a crisis, will respond and support a solution. The Republican Debate on Fox News Channel Orlando, Florida, october 21 (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/politics/21debate-transcript.html?pagewanted=all)

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Income

Proposition 1: Mortgage lenders should be more tightly controlled Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Other websites and news sources   SALEM, N.H. — Reacting to voters’ concerns about the economy, Senator John McCain said Tuesday that he would consider greater intervention by the federal government to limit the fallout of the mortgage crisis if current measures fail. Candidate Topic PagesMore Politics NewsMr. McCain, who is focusing in more detail on issues related to the economy in the windup to primary season, did not specify what further federal intervention might be necessary. But Mr. McCain, a Republican from Arizona, indicated that the government has a role in helping the truly needy, and he likened the current crisis to the savings-and-loan meltdown in the 1980s, which set off an extensive government bailout to soften its effect on the economy. Mr. McCain said he was generally opposed to federal intervention. “Whenever there is government intervention, there are unintended consequences,” he said. However, he said, this crisis poses such a serious threat to the overall economic health of the nation that he can see the need for even greater steps. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/us/politics/19campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Proposition 2: People with higher incomes should receive less Medicare benefits Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   • Bringing costs under control is the only way to stop the erosion of affordable health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private health benefits for retirees, and allow our companies to effectively compete around the world. • Require any state receiving Medicaid to develop a financial "risk adjustment" bonus to high-cost and low-income families to supplement tax credits and Medicaid funds. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm

Proposition 3: The federal government should reduce income inequality Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   Government spending is out-of-control. A Democrat elected President will join hands with a tax-and-spend Democratic Congress and subject Americans to enormous tax increases. Even now, the tax code is too complex and too burdensome. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid - the government's promises to seniors and those in need - must be modernized. Too many American workers are unprepared by non-performing schools and shackled by outdated government employment assistance programs. (http://www.johnmccain.com/undecided/whymccain.htm)

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National security

Proposition 1: The US should reduce its financial contribution to the UN Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   As President, John McCain will strengthen the military, shore up our alliances, and ensure that the nation is capable of protecting the homeland, deterring potential military challenges, responding to any crisis that endangers American security, and prevailing in any conflict we are forced to fight. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/054184f4-6b51-40dd-8964-54fcf66a1e68.htm Speech transcripts   This League of Democracies would not supplant the United Nations or other international organizations. It would complement them. But it would be the one organization where the world's democracies could come together to discuss problems and solutions on the basis of shared principles and a common vision of the future. If I am elected president, I will call a summit of the world's democracies in my first year to seek the views of my democratic counterparts and begin exploring the practical steps necessary to realize this vision. "Americans should lead this effort, as we did sixty years ago in founding NATO. But if we are to lead responsibly, our friends and allies must see us as responsible nation, concerned not only about our own well-being but about the health of the world's economy and the future of our planet. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/Speeches/Read.aspx?guid=43e821a2-ad70-495a-83b2-098638e67aeb

Proposition 2: Iran is not an imminent threat to world peace Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to disagree Debate transcripts   SEN. MCCAIN: Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. We all know that. Iran continues their efforts to build nuclear weapons. Iran is now exporting lethal IEDs and jihadists and suicide bombers into Iraq killing American soldiers. The Iranians encouraged Hezbollah to attack Israel from Lebanon recently. Iran poses one of the greatest threats to the world -- the security of the world and in the Middle East. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/us/politics/04transcript.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1195639429-9D26UTsas5dXSc4fphizPQ&pagewanted=print The Republicans’ First Presidential Candidates Debate. But let’s see what Iran has been doing. Your hypothetical is closer to reality than many of us appreciate. The Iranians are sending lethal IEDs that are killing American soldiers. They’re training and equipping terrorists. They have dedicated themselves to the destruction of the state of Israel. They are arming Hezbollah. They are supporting Syria, and there’s no doubt they’re moving forward with the acquisition of a nuclear weapon. We need to work together with our allies, but at the end of the day, it’s the United States of America that will make the final decision. Republican Debate New Hampshire Fox News 05-09-2007 http://www.cfr.org/publication/14142/republican_debate_transcript_new_hampshire.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fby_type%2Fessential_document MCCAIN: We’re dealing, of course, with hypotheticals. If the situation is that it requires immediate action to ensure the security of the United States of America, that’s what you take your oath to do, when you’re inaugurated as president of the United States. If it’s a long series of build-ups, where the threat becomes greater and greater, of course you want to go to Congress; of course you want to get approval, if this is an imminent threat to the security of the United States of America. So it obviously depends on the scenario. But I would, at minimum—I would, at minimum, consult with the leaders of Congress because there may come a time when you need the approval of Congress. And I believe that this is a possibility that is, maybe, closer to reality than we are discussing tonight. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21221689/

Proposition 3: The US should decrease its spending on defense Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   John McCain has worked aggressively to reform the defense budgeting process to ensure that America enjoys the best military at the best cost. This includes reforming defense procurement to ensure the faithful and efficient expenditure of taxpayer dollars that are made available for defense acquisition. Too often, parochial interests rather than the national interest have guided our spending decisions. John McCain supports significant reform in our defense acquisition process to ensure that dollars spent actually contribute to U.S. security. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/054184f4-6b51-40dd-8964-54fcf66a1e68.htm

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Family

Proposition 1: Same sex marriages should be made legal Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   "The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation. As with most issues vital to the preservation and health of civil society, the basic responsibility for preserving and strengthening the family should reside at the level of government closest to the people. In their wisdom, the Founding Fathers reserved for the States the authority and responsibility to protect and strengthen the vital institutions of our civil society. They did so to ensure that the voices of America's families could not be ignored by an indifferent national government or suffocated through filibusters and clever legislative maneuvering in Congress." http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm Other websites and news sources   "What is your position on civil unions between same sex partners? While, as a federalist, I recognize the right of the states to regulate the institution of marriage and to pass civil union laws, I strongly believe in the current law that declares that no other state should be legally bound to recognize same sex marriages or unions that might be legal in other places. But while the citizens of each state should decide this question, I personally oppose civil unions that for all intents and purposes confer the same status as traditional marriage. I am not against people entering into contracts or exchanging powers of attorney, a right that most states already afford to all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation. While, as a federalist, I recognize the right of the states to regulate the institution of marriage and to pass civil union laws, I strongly believe in the current law that declares that no other state should be legally bound to recognize same sex marriages or unions that might be legal in other places. But while the citizens of each state should decide this question, I personally oppose civil unions that for all intents and purposes confer the same status as traditional marriage. I am not against people entering into contracts or exchanging powers of attorney, a right that most states already afford to all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation." http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/issues/candidates/john-mccain/#gay-marriage

Proposition 2: Abortion should be made completely illegal Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   However, the reversal of Roe v. Wade represents only one step in the long path toward ending abortion. Once the question is returned to the states, the fight for life will be one of courage and compassion - the courage of a pregnant mother to bring her child into the world and the compassion of civil society to meet her needs and those of her newborn baby. The pro-life movement has done tremendous work in building and reinforcing the infrastructure of civil society by strengthening faith-based, community, and neighborhood organizations that provide critical services to pregnant mothers in need. This work must continue and government must find new ways to empower and strengthen these armies of compassion. These important groups can help build the consensus necessary to end abortion at the state level. As John McCain has publicly noted, "At its core, abortion is a human tragedy. To effect meaningful change, we must engage the debate at a human level." http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm

Proposition 3: Using embryos for stem cell research is acceptable as it enables us to find cures for diseases Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   "Stem cell research offers tremendous hope for those suffering from a variety of deadly diseases - hope for both cures and life-extending treatments. However, the compassion to relieve suffering and to cure deadly disease cannot erode moral and ethical principles. For this reason, John McCain opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes. To that end, Senator McCain voted to ban the practice of "fetal farming," making it a federal crime for researchers to use cells or fetal tissue from an embryo created for research purposes. Furthermore, he voted to ban attempts to use or obtain human cells gestated in animals. Finally, John McCain strongly opposes human cloning and voted to ban the practice, and any related experimentation, under federal law." http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm Other websites and news sources   If elected, would you keep the current ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research in place? Why or why not? I oppose the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes, and I support legislation that Congress has passed making it a federal crime for researchers to use cells or fetal tissue from an embryo created for research purposes. I also support banning attempts to use or obtain cells from a human fetus gestated in the uterus of a nonhuman animal. I strongly oppose human cloning. I support a public policy that balances the moral concerns of those opposed to federal funding of embryonic stem cell research with the sense of moral imperative of taxpayers who support such research. I support the increase of funding for promising research programs, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research and other types of scientific study that do not involve the use of human embryos. While I support expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, I believe clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress, and that any such research should be subject to strict federal guidelines. Stem cell research holds the potential to unlock cures that could defeat deadly diseases and relieve tremendous human suffering. At the same time, one type of stem cell research, involving embryonic stem cells, has also raised serious ethical and moral concerns, both inside and outside the medical community. The compassion and drive to relieve suffering and to cure deadly diseases cannot be permitted to erode crucial moral and ethical principles. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/issues/candidates/john-mccain/#stem-cell-research

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Immigration

Proposition 1: To prevent illegal immigration, the US should complete the fence along the entire Mexican border Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Website candidate's former or current post / roll call behaviour   Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. Reference: Secure Fence Act; Bill H R 6061 ; vote number 2006-262 on Sep 29, 2006 http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00262

Proposition 2: All illegal immigrants without a criminal record should be given the right to stay in the US legally Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   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 assimilation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society. Recognize that America will always be that "shining city upon a hill," a beacon of hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life built on hard work and optimism. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/68db8157-d301-4e22-baf7-a70dd8416efa.htm Other websites and news sources   Enter McCain-Kennedy Saturday, May 14, 2005; Page A20 IMMIGRATION legislation introduced Thursday by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) is not the first, and may not be the last, attempt to forge a realistic, comprehensive and bipartisan national immigration policy. Most controversially -- but ultimately sensibly -- the bill allows illegal immigrants already here to regularize their status, but not easily; they would have to go to the end of the line, and that only after paying a hefty fine, staying employed for a prescribed period and paying back taxes. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/13/AR2005051301483.html

Proposition 3: Illegal immigration threatens our national security Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   "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. " http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/68db8157-d301-4e22-baf7-a70dd8416efa.htm

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Health care

Proposition 1: Providing health care is not the responsibility of the government Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   "Controlling health care costs will take fundamental change - nothing short of a complete reform of the culture of our health system and the way we pay for it will suffice. Reforms to federal policy and programs should focus on enhancing quality while controlling costs:  Promote competition throughout the health care system - between providers and among alternative treatments. Build genuine national markets by permitting providers to practice nationwide.  Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines, to maximize their choices, and heighten competition for their business that will eliminate excess overhead, administrative, and excessive compensation costs from the system.  Allow individuals to get insurance through any organization or association that they choose: employers, individual purchases, churches, professional association, and so forth. These policies will be available to small businesses and the self-employed, will be portable across all jobs, and will automatically bridge the time between retirement and Medicare eligibility. These plans would have to meet rigorous standards and certification. " http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm

Proposition 2: US law should obligate all companies to provide health care insurance for their workers Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   "Allow individuals to get insurance through any organization or association that they choose: employers, individual purchases, churches, professional association, and so forth. These policies will be available to small businesses and the self-employed, will be portable across all jobs, and will automatically bridge the time between retirement and Medicare eligibility. These plans would have to meet rigorous standards and certification." "Reform the tax code to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health insurance, and provide all individuals with a $2,500 tax credit ($5,000 for families) to increase incentives for insurance coverage. Individuals owning innovative multi-year policies that cost less than the full credit can deposit remainder in expanded health savings accounts." ( http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm  )

Proposition 3: The government should provide health care coverage for the millions of uninsured Americans Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to disagree Issues and plans from candidate's campaign website   John McCain believes that insurance reforms should increase the variety and affordability of insurance coverage available to American families by fostering competition and innovation. John McCain Believes in Personal Responsibility ( John McCain, http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm )

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Law and order

Proposition 1: The death penalty helps deter crime Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Other websites and news sources   John McCain on Crime Supports the death penalty for federal crimes. http://phoenix.about.com/od/politiciansfromarizona/a/johnmccain_4.htm Website candidate's former or current post / roll call behaviour   Voted 'yea' on a bill to provide for the imposition of the death penalty for the terrorist murder of United States nationals abroad. http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=101&session=1&vote=00275

Proposition 2: The government should spend money on keeping drugs off the streets, not on treating drug addicts Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Other websites and news sources   And I think it's a casualty of the war on terror because so much of our effort and resources have been diverted. I ran into a group of Coast Guard guys a couple of days ago in Oregon and I asked, "How much time do you spend on drugs?" And they said none. Before the war on terror, that was one of the major missions of the Coast Guard. I'm not saying that we should go back and divert our attention away from the war on terror to drugs, but I think we ought to at least start paying more attention to the problem. Daily Star: Can we afford both a war on terror and a war on drugs? McCain: If we value our children, we better. We're not a poor country. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/opinion/90521 Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Sunday said the U.S. should step up its war on drugs as part of efforts to secure the country's borders. He said that's because Americans are to blame for "creating the demand" for illegal drugs that come into the country and give too much power to drug cartels that terrorize border areas. "We are creating the demand. We are creating the demand for these drugs coming across our border, which maybe means that we should go back more trying to make some progress and in telling Americans, particularly young Americans, that the use of drugs is a terrible thing for them to do," he said. http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy_main/2007/sep/04/supporting_one_lost_war_is_not_e

Proposition 3: For each crime there should be a fixed minimum sentence Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Other websites and news sources   He has a strong pro-life voting record, a strong free trade voting record, wants private social security accounts, is against socialized health care, supports school vouchers, supports the death penalty, supports mandatory sentencing [...] http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977050765 Website candidate's former or current post / roll call behaviour   Votes "yea" on mandatory sentences for firearm crimes http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=103&session=2&vote=00126

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Education

Proposition 1: Better teachers should be paid higher wages than their colleagues Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Other websites and news sources   Other education priorities McCain supports vouchers, saying that they would enable parents to choose better schools for their children and that the competition would force public schools to improve. He also believes in merit pay for teachers. http://asp.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/issues.aspx?i=8&c=11

Proposition 2: Creationism should be taught in science classes in school Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to agree Debate transcripts   MR. BLITZER: Thank you, Senator Brownback. (Applause.) Senator McCain, do you believe creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the nation’s schools? SEN. MCCAIN: No, I believe that’s up to the school districts. But I think that every American should be exposed to all theories. But I can’t say it more eloquently than Pastor Huckabee — Governor Huckabee just did, and I admire his description, because I hold that view. The point is that the time before time — there’s no doubt in my mind that the hand of God was in what we are today. And I do believe that we are unique, and I believe that God loves us. But I also believe that all of our children in school can be taught different views on different issues. But I leave the curricula up to the school boards. ~ 2008 Republican presidential candidates debate hosted by CNN, WMUR-TV and The New Hampshire Union Leader. June 5, 2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/05/us/politics/05cnd-transcript.html?ei=5070&en=f90492e8216c5ff1&ex=1187668800&pagewanted=print Other websites and news sources   last year, he said the intelligent design theory should not be taught in the science classroom: “I think Americans should be exposed to every point of view,” he said. “I happen to believe in evolution…I respect those who think the world was created in seven days. Should it be taught as a science class? Probably not.“ (Aspen Times in 2006) During a televised debate among GOP presidential candidates last month in California, Sen. John McCain of Arizona was asked whether he believes in evolution. McCain first answered with one word: "Yes." Then he quickly added: "I believe in evolution. But I also believe, when I hike the Grand Canyon and see it at sunset, that the hand of God is there also." (http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/columnist/wickham/2007-06-11-wickham_N.htm)

Proposition 3: More government funding should go into public schools, not to education vouchers Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Debate transcripts   Choice and competition is the key to success in education in America. That means charter schools, that means home schooling, it means vouchers, it means rewarding good teachers and finding bad teachers another line of work. It means... We should allow parents, like my parents were able to do; we should empower them by giving them the money, giving them scholarships, giving them vouchers, let them choose a public school, a private school, a parochial school, a charter school, homeschooling. Let's give the power to the parents, rather than to the government bureaucrats. And we will turn around education within three years. Presidential Candidates debate Univison december 9, 2007 http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/debate_transcript120907.pdf MCCAIN: The answer to the problem in education in America is simple: We need more choice and more competition. Entrance by a good student into college today, they have a number of choices, and people are seeking them, to be part of those educational institutions. We don't have the choice and competition we need in K through 12. We need more charter schools. We need vouchers where it's approved by the local, state school boards. Des Moines Register Presidential Debate: The Republicans on 12 Decmber 2007 http://www.vote-smart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=338390&keyword=voucher&phrase=&contain= Other websites and news sources   Other education priorities McCain supports vouchers, saying that they would enable parents to choose better schools for their children and that the competition would force public schools to improve. He also believes in merit pay for teachers. http://asp.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/issues.aspx?i=8&c=11 Website candidate's former or current post / roll call behaviour   "Repeatedly, I have proposed legislation for a three-year nation-wide test of the voucher program. It would be funded not by draining money away from the public schools but by eliminating federal pork barrel spending and corporate tax loopholes. MCCAIN SUPPORTS FINAL ELEMENTARY SECONDARY EDUCATION BILL http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=ad8cd597-7257-49c1-aeaf-09ab8791a3b8&Region_id=&Issue_id=eb39163a-67bf-481f-9adf-9187d55fd3af Tuition vouchers for $2000 would be provided to eligible low-income children through a lottery system in the lowest academic performing schools identified by the District of Columbia. SENATOR MCCAIN'S EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY DEMONSTRATION FOR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA STUDENTS November 12, 2002 http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=369602ef-a26c-480e-9092-e1294c14866f&Region_id=&Issue_id=eb39163a-67bf-481f-9adf-9187d55fd3af

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Terrorism

Proposition 1: Anti-terrorism legislation, such as the Patriot Act, unacceptably violates civil liberties Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: tend to disagree Other websites and news sources   The New York Times November 3, 2007 Saturday Late Edition - Final 3 Top Republican Candidates Take a Hard Line on the Interrogation of Detainees The leading Republican candidates, including Mr. McCain, have largely supported the enhanced powers granted to law enforcement authorities under the USA Patriot Act. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/03/us/politics/03torture.html?pagewanted=print

Proposition 2: Some form of torture is acceptable if it can prevent terrorist attacks Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely disagree Debate transcripts   The use of torture -- we could never gain as much we would gain from that torture as we lose in world opinion. We do not torture people. Republican Debate South Carolina Fox News 15-05-2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/us/politics/16repubs-text.html?pagewanted=print Other websites and news sources   CONWAY, S.C. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Thursday the United States does not use an interrogation technique known as waterboarding and argued that Attorney General-nominee Michael Mukasey would not allow the method. Speaking with reporters after addressing about 100 members of a Rotary club, McCain said he is confident Mukasey opposes the practice, which he called a violation of the Geneva Conventions. McCain, the decorated Vietnam War veteran who spent 5 1/2 years as a POW, said the U.S. should not engage in torture and there was no need for waterboarding. "If you inflict enough physical pain on anybody, they will tell you anything you want to know," said McCain, who was starting a three-day campaign trip through South Carolina. http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=213&sid=1284460

Proposition 3: Iraq is just one front in a broader fight against Islamic terrorism Your opinion: You have not answered that question. Opinion John McCain: completely agree Debate transcripts   And whether al-Qaeda was there before or not, al-Qaeda is there now. Al-Qaeda is there now. [...] SEN. McCAIN: ...could I just finish—could I just finish what I’m saying please, and then be—and General Petraeus has said, and I take his word for it, Iraq is now the central front in the war against al-Qaeda. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20806501/

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