FactChecking McCain

[Zguy28]

Staying true to my promise.

~Z

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FactChecking McCain

September 5, 2008

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_mccain.html

He made some flubs in accepting the nomination.

Summary

We checked the accuracy of McCain’s speech accepting the Republican nomination and noted the following:

• 
  
• McCain claimed that Obama’s health care plan would "force small businesses to cut jobs" and would put "a bureaucrat ... between you and your doctor." In fact, the plan exempts small businesses, and those who have insurance now could keep the coverage they have.
  
  
• McCain attacked Obama for voting for "corporate welfare" for oil companies. In fact, the bill Obama voted for raised taxes on oil companies by $300 million over 11 years while providing $5.8 billion in subsidies for renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuels.
  
  
• McCain said oil imports send "$700 billion a year to countries that don't like us very much." But the U.S. is on track to import a total of only $536 billion worth of oil at current prices, and close to a third of that comes from Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
  
  
• He promised to increase use of "wind, tide [and] solar" energy, though his actual energy plan contains no new money for renewable energy. He has said elsewhere that renewable sources won’t produce as much as people think.
  
  
• He called for "reducing government spending and getting rid of failed programs," but as in the past failed to cite a single program that he would eliminate or reduce.
  
  
• He said Obama would "close" markets to trade. In fact, Obama, though he once said he wanted to "renegotiate" the North American Free Trade Agreement, now says he simply wants to try to strengthen environmental and labor provisions in it.
  

Full Article at Link

[Dictator]

Thanks Z.

At least some people aren't so partisan as to be scared to post things that make "their guy" look bad.

[PeterMP]

One thing that always seems to get left off in terms of alternative energy, a cap and trade proposal like McCain's will help increase the amount of alternative energy usage. Essentially, you'll be able to be paid if you reduce your CO2 emission outputs.

It isn't OVERTLY DIRECT goverment involvement (e.g. giving some company $500 million dollars to do X), but it at least can achieve the same goal (potentially and maybe even better).

http://news21blog.org/2008/08/07/founder-of-chicago-climate-exchange-says-cap-and-trade-is-coming-favors-mccain-plan/

"Pioneered under the 1990 Clean Air Act by economist Richard Sandor (the so-called “father of financial futures”), cap and trade would distribute permits for emissions, then charge companies that exceed their emissions limits by forcing them to buy permits from other companies that reduce emissions below their target levels. Companies in the U.S. are currently buying permits on a voluntary basis.

Confusing, yes. But its premise is simple: incentivize companies to decrease emissions while spurring investment in innovative, carbon-saving technologies. And protecting carbon storage projects like forests as a bonus."

alternative energy is carbon-saving