Social issues:
Tolerable or better:
When asked what she would do as governor if Roe v. Wade were overturned, she responded "it would not be up [to me] to unilaterally ban anything. It would be up to the people of Alaska to discuss and decide how we would like our society to reflect our values."[7] I recognize this as a total wimp out of an answer since she knows how the state would go. But in the end I'm comfortable with the states deciding on their own on this issue. I don't think this needs to be federal.
While running for Governor of Alaska and asked about the teaching of creationism along with evolution in public school science classes, Palin answered: "Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both". When interviewed the next day, she stated that while open debate between the two ideas should not be prohibited if it came up in discussion, creationism did not specifically need to be part of the curriculum.[12] I'm ok with it being part of the curriculum IF all other creation myths (not trying to offend anyone with that myth word but that IS how I view it) are taught equally. However, in a SCIENCE class, the SCIENCE concept should be taught. In the HISTORY class (or other equally relevant class) it SHOULD be discussed.
Not tolerable or worse:
According to her response to a candidate questionnaire during her gubernatorial run, Palin does not favor "explicit sex-ed programs" which, in the context of the questionnaire, included "explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics and the distribution of contraceptives in schools".[10][11] I think sex needs to be talked about EXPLICITEDLY and FRANKLY. Do I think they should pop in some porn, no, but sex is a biological fact. Stop sniggering in the corners and be an adult. And this has nothing to do with teen pregnancy--the human reproductive system is as relevant to kids education as the circulatory system is. GROW UP.
In December 2006, following long-running litigation and a 2005 ruling, the Supreme Court of Alaska ordered the state to begin paying health and retiree benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees. Declaring that there were "no more judicial options to pursue" to avoid paying the benefits, Palin agreed to comply with the ruling.[14] At the same time, in her first legislative act, Palin signed a bill ordering a non-binding referendum for a constitutional amendment to deny the benefits.[15] People deserved to be treated as humans no matter what sin you think they are committing. ENCOURAGING monogamy would seem to be reducing their "sinning" and why wouldn't that be a good thing? And no I don't think same sex partners are sinners. Not that all homosexuals behave in a way this is appropriate but true partners are just fine by my standards.
Completely and unbelievably horrid:
nothing
Legal issues and ethics:
Tolerable or better:
Capital punishment--total agreement
Gun rights--hunting for pleasure is criminal but other wise I'm cool with this
Drugs--good to know she tried some drugs, maybe she'll be more level headed
Intolerable or worse:
Stem cell research--get your head out of your butt and see the writing on the walls. If you want to stop killing potential life, you should ban infertility treatments which yields WAY more unwanted potential babies than stem cells need. What? Saying no to a baby-less mom is too hard for you? Then you are a hypocrite. Plain and simple. Pick a horse--either you care or your don't.
Completely and unbelievably horrid:
stem cell research may fall into this category--doing some soul searching here
Government Spending:
Tolerable or better:
Palin supports free-market competition in health care, and laws allowing patients better access to medical pricing information. In 2008, Palin said she was considering incentives for employers to provide health insurance. She added that changes must also include citizens "choosing to take more personal responsibility" to be healthier.[50] I'm being generous here--this is so weak that it probably should not be in the list at all. I like medical pricing information. I think having your insurance tied to your employment is probably the most stupid asinine thing ever done. EVER. Ok, except the Iraq war. Personal responsibility gets the big thumbs up though.
Intolerable or worse:
Shortly after becoming governor, Palin canceled a contract for the construction of an 11-mile (18 km) gravel road outside Juneau to a mine[26] and sold the state's Westwind II jet purchased by the Murkowski administration against the wishes of the Legislature for a $600,000 net loss.[27] (losing money isn't something to be proud of--but the cost of owning it is not zero so this is not so generous of me to put this here--that's fair)
One issue though three examples:
Alaska's Federal congressional representatives cut back on pork-barrel project requests during Palin's time as governor, however Alaska is still the largest per-capita recipient of federal earmarks, requesting nearly $750 million in special federal spending and obtaining $295 per citizen from the federal government.[30][31]
While Mayor of Wasilla, the town paid a lobbying firm $24,000 to $36,000 per year to help secure federal earmarks for the town. She also personally went to Washington to ask for more earmarks from the state's congressional delegation. According to a review by Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan group, Wasilla (a town of 6,700 residents) benefited from $26.9 million in earmarks in Palin's final four years in office.[32] [33]
In 2008, Palin gave a list of 31 proposed earmarks, totaling $197 million, to Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens.[34][35]
End single issue list
On September 6, 2008 Palin stated that the mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have "gotten too big and too expensive to the taxpayers. The McCain-Palin administration will make them smaller and smarter and more effective for homeowners who need help."[49] Supporters touted this as her reform-mindedness,[citation needed] while critics pointed to it as an example of Palin's lack of knowledge in the area, noting that the mortgage entities technically operated until September 7, 2008 as quasi-private companies.[citation needed]
As mayor, she passed a 40% property tax cut,[51] while supporting a sales tax increase to pay for a new sports complex.[52] As governor, Palin helped pass a tax increase on oil company profits, although she opposes the Windfall Profits Tax proposed by Senator Barack Obama.[53][54] I need to learn more before I leave this in this pile.
Completely and unbelievably horrid:
nothing
Energy and Environment:
Tolerable or better:
Intolerable or worse:
While governor, Palin opposed The Alaska Clean Water Act stating that "very stringent regulations and policies [were] already in place."[58]
Governor Palin plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisors to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.[59] On August 29, 2008, Palin stated in an interview: "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one, though, who would attribute global warming to being man-made."[60]
One issue--three entries
In December 2007, Palin wrote an opinion column in which she described her opposition to the listing of polar bears as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, basing her position on a review of expert opinion.[62] Alaskan state biologists[63] and environmental groups[64] disagreed with Palin's position. After the United States Department of the Interior listed the bear as threatened on May 14, 2008, Palin threatened to sue the federal government, warning that it would adversely affect energy development in Alaska, while again questioning the scientific basis for the listing.[64]
Palin has opposed, on economic grounds, the designation of the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species.[65] Palin cited state scientists who claimed that hunting was the only factor causing the whales' decline and that the hunting has been effectively controlled through cooperative agreements with Alaska Native organizations.[66] Recent research suggests that despite hunting controls beluga whales in Cook's Inlet remain severely depleted and at high risk of extinction.[67][68] As governor, Palin allowed Chevron to increase the quantity of industrial waste it allows to flow into Cook Inlet waters.[69] Federal scientists do not attribute the decline in the Cook Inlet beluga population to human pollution.[67]
Palin has supported the Alaska Department of Fish and Game policy allowing Alaska state biologists to hunt wolves from aeroplanes as part of a predator control program intended to increase moose populations.[70] The program prompted California State Representative George Miller to introduce a federal bill (H.R. 3663) seeking to make the practice illegal.[71] In March 2008, a federal judge in Alaska upheld the practice of hunting wolves from the air, though limited its extent.[72] On August 26, 2008, Alaskans voted against ending the state's predator control program.[73]Completely and unbelievably horrid:
nothing
From my research, there is enough oil in ANWR to supply us with oil (meaning we wouldn't have to import any oil) for 2 or maybe 3 years. Please tell me if this is incorrect. My numbers and sources are at the end. This is just not very substantial to me. 3 years is nothing when you consider that after it is over we are WAY more dependent on the Middle East. I think of this oil as our ace in the hole not our trump card. If it were 50yrs of oil--ok maybe--MAYBE.
Foreign Policy:
Tolerable or better:
Intolerable or worse:
Palin: I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq. I heard on the news about the new deployments, and while I support our president, Condoleezza Rice and the administration, I want to know that we have an exit plan in place; I want assurances that we are doing all we can to keep our troops safe. Every life lost is such a tragedy. I am very, very proud of the troops we have in Alaska, those fighting overseas for our freedoms, and the families here who are making so many sacrifices.[76] (from 2007)
While her opinion on Iran is fairly vague but yet conservative this just seems really bizarre:Palin displays an Israeli flag in her governor's office in Juneau.
Following the meeting, an AIPAC spokesman stated that Palin had "expressed her deep, personal, and lifelong commitment to the safety and well-being of Israel."[80 um over the US?
Completely and unbelievably horrid:
nothing
Sum total:
12 against
6 for
and maybe one OMG she's nuts.
Not too bad really--well not worse than Bush and I've lived through that. So. Even though I want to yak on her personally, multiple times, daily, I'm going to count her out of the equation and focus on John and Barrack. Good old John and Barrack. I can do this.
Oh and for the record again, I looked at Green Party and something about physically attacking a police officer just doesn't sit well with me and my presidential notions.
References:
For 2001, the US consumed 19.65 million barrels a day, and produced 8.96 million barrels a day. Over the course of a year, this means 7.2 billion consumed and 3.3 billion produced. Hence 3.9 billion imported in the year.
http://www.argmax.com/mt_blog/archive/2003_03_how_much_oil_do.php
In 1998, the USGS estimated that between 5.7 and 16.0 billion barrels (2.54×109 m3) of technically recoverable crude oil and natural gas liquids are in the coastal plain area of ANWR, with a mean estimate of 10.4 billion barrels (1.65×109 m3), of which 7.7 billion barrels (1.22×109 m3) lie within the Federal portion of the ANWR 1002 Area. (comes from anwr wiki)
