Monday, September 10, 2007

Joe Biden

Joe Biden, born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator from Delaware and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, although he ceased active campaigning in 1987, before the first primaries. Biden first hinted that he might run in 2008 in a December 8, 2004, radio interview with host Don Imus, saying: "I'm going to proceed as if I'm going to run." Biden has repeatedly stated his intention to run, and did so as early as 21 March 2006. Biden's Federal Leadership PAC is "Unite Our States", which tracks Biden's public appearances and policy positions. On 7 January 2007, when asked by Tim Russert on Meet the Press "Are you running for President?" he responded, "I am running for President." He also said he plans to create an exploratory committee by the end of the month.[54][55][56] On January 31, 2007, he officially signed the papers with the FEC to run for president.

The Good

For $10 billion a year over the next five years we could:
  • screen 100 percent of cargo containers coming into our ports,
  • better protect our chemical facilities,
  • improve air cargo screening,
  • make sure that our first responders can talk to one another in emergencies,
  • hire 1,000 more FBI agents,
  • hire 50,000 more local cops, and
  • create local counter-terrorism units in our large cities to stop home-grown plots
Brilliant, simply brilliant. This is one of my major beefs. For a country that is so FOR homeland security, the only thing being secured is the governments right to infringe on our liberties. But what about everything in the 9/11 commission? Few of those have been implemented. Mr. Biden wants to implement many of those changes, give security back to the states. I love his plan for homeland security, it covers all the major bases like water, energy, and travel. Protect that which needs protecting most, that can sum up Joe Bidens plan.

The Bad

Joe Biden has voted no several times when bills where up to reduce the budget. As a Democrat, you have to learn to get past the idea of big government, especially since the Republicans have joined you in the quest for a massively inept government. Instead of rolling back tax cuts, why not cut funding to all these pet projects for lobbyists and just fund whats important to the country as a whole?

As well, Biden is wishy washy on civil rights. He has been okay with discriminating based on sexual orientation and the ACLU gives him only a 60% rating on civil rights. He also voted yes on the issues of Bankruptcy reforms that took away much of the ability of the average person to file bankruptcy.

The Ugly

Joe Biden believes life begins at concept. He follows the Catholic doctrine on this. His personal religious beliefs bring one to question whether he might vote to over turn roe vs wade. But its rather annoying to have him speak of his religious beliefs and use them as a voting plattform. What about intelligence and reason instead? Well, like most politicians, they can't seem to leave that at home and simply make informed decisions. I would be okay with him being president, but the idea of accepting the churches view just because it is the churches view makes me a little weary of him.