McCain: Actions Speak Louder

Yesterday we looked at a general overview of the voting record of senator Barack Obama on some key issues for those of us who are Christian and vote according to the dictates of biblical principles. Today, it's senator McCain's turn and we'll do exactly the same thing on exactly the same issues and see how he fares.

Understand that when we're looking at McCain's voting record, or anyone's for that matter, it's not to go into a whole lot of detail because all we're looking for here is a litmus test to see which one of the candidates pass the standard that I've laid out. It's a first step in what responsible voters should be doing when looking at a a candidate who they want to support with their vote.


The Proof Is In The Pudding

Abortion

Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions - No Vote

Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions - Yes

Prohibiting U.S. Assistance for Groups that Support Coercive Abortion - No Vote

Unintended Pregnancy Amendment - No

What this says to me is that he's leaning towards being a pro-lifer and if you look at the rest of his record, it's astoundingly clear that he is. Again, for many Christians, this is the deal breaker and in McCain's case, most likely a deal maker. And when you see his response during the Rick Warren forum, you can see how emphatic he is about this.


Immigration

Immigration Enforcement and Border Fence Amendment - No Vote

Denying Legal Status for Immigrants Convicted of Certain Crimes - No

Barring Immigrants with Certain Criminal Histories - Yes

Immigration Enforcement and Employer Sanctions Amendment - No Vote

Declaring English the National Language - Yes

Double-Layered Fencing Amendment - No

McCain is no better on immigration. As a matter of fact, when you look at some of the details of some of these bills, I wondering why he voted right in step with liberals.


Defense

Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan - No Vote

Same response as yesterday. Didn't even care enough to show up. Lovely.


Energy

Amendment on Certain Energy-Related Programs, Including the Development of Oil Shale and Offshore Natural Gas - No Vote

Offshore Drilling in Virginia - No Vote

His record here is worse.

I thought that senator's were supposed to vote on bills? I mean if they don't like a bill how it's written, you vote no. You make the time for your constituents and take the job seriously. No wonder people don't vote in America. The people they vote for don't vote when they're supposed to either. Great example.


Environment

Alternative Energy Tax Incentives - No Vote

Carbon Emissions Cap and Trade Plan - No Vote

Energy Act of 2007 - No Vote

Following right in step with his opponent on this one. Sheesh.


Family And Children Issues

Child Custody Protection Act - Yes

Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies - No Vote

Same Sex Marriage Resolution - No

This is only marginally better than Obama. He obviously doesn't think same sex marriages are a threat to the family enough to put a Constitutional amendment in there but he doesn't want parents to not be informed about their child about to get an abortion.


Guns

Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill - Yes

Firearm Confiscation Prohibition Amendment - Yes

Child Safety Lock Amendment - Yes

Quite frankly, this is the strongest area which says to me that he cares more about guns than does about abortion which says something about his outlook on things.


Health

Stem Cell Research Act of 2007 - Yes

Stem Cell Research Bill - Yes

And here's the rub. Against abortion but down for stem cell research. Called an oxymoron.


So, just from a sampling of the key issues, I see McCain, from his voting record, as:

• Pro-life view for the most part. Supporting stem cell research is a definite black mark.
  
• May lean towards supporting gay marriage.
• Is A-1 on gun control.
• Might be looking for the way the wind blows politically on the environment (no pun intended).
• Doesn't really care about energy because he doesn't show up to vote.
  
• Isn't serious about preventing convicted criminals from coming to our country illegally.

Now, just from this sparse picture and from listening to what he says, I'm not all ga ga about him one bit. He has some serious problems in his history of siding with liberals and then voting like one. He's not a true conservative no matter who he picks for his running mate. I wish Palin was the candidate and not him.

Now, I have a choice. One of these two are going to win and I don't like where neither one of them stands. If there were more viable candidates, I'd pick them. But this is what I have to work with so I have to choose which one more closely lines up with the biblical principles I believe in in terms of law, ethics, and morality. So, rather reluctantly but more as a vote against Obama than for McCain, he gets my vote...for now.

Everyone who votes is motivated by something. Hate. Duty. Anger. Patriotism. What Christians should be motivated by is love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). We have the Truth so we should do everything in our power to make sure people hear it (2 Timothy 4:2), see it (1 John 3:18), and experience it (Hebrews 13:16). Something as simple as a vote testifies to the Truth we stand for and when we're faithful with the little, he'll give us more.

Tomorrow: Slavery vs. Abortion. Not too much of a difference.

McCain: Actions Speak Louder