Obama vs McCain

I was talking to my wife about the election today, and I have a few thoughts that I'd like to write down.

We live in a fantastic country.  Soldiers have died to protect our right to choose our leaders.  I think it's important to take advantage of the opportunity to vote, and I think it's even more important to choose wisely.  If you vote for Senator Obama, do it because you have a good reason to believe he's the better candidate.  The same goes for John McCain.  

In my opinion, the three most important issues to consider are:

1. Do you want the new supreme court justices that will be appointed by the next president to be left of center, or right of center?
2. Do you think rich people should pay more taxes?
3. Do you think Obama or McCain would be better at bringing peace and stability to Iraq?

There are a lot of other important issues, but I'm not really convinced that the President has much control over them.   Creating universal health care, fixing social security and medicaid, creating good jobs, and leading us to "energy independence" are all fantastic ideas, but more likely than not, they will be empty promises (you really think anyone could pull that off in 4 or 8 years?). 

Supreme Court:

The next president will appoint 3 or 4 new justices to the supreme court.  Obama will most likely appoint "liberal" judges, and McCain will appoint "conservative" judges.  I think the more appropriate titles would be "progressive" and "traditional". 

There are strong policy reasons to prefer either option.  Progressives usually work to interpret or adapt the constitution in a way that they feel is more appropriate for this day and age.  Traditionals usually work to interpret the constitution based on what the founders intended.  (There are many exceptions though)

How do you feel about taking guns away from innocent people to protect innocent people from criminals.?

Should suspected terrorists get the same due process rights as those suspected of non-terrorist crimes?

Should women have the right to choose to abort a pregnancy up to the point of viability? (Based on the theory that if the fetus hasn't developed to the point where it can live on its own then it's still part of the mom.  Roe v. Wade)

Should the government be able to wiretap phone lines without getting specific warrants?

Should the government be able to censor speech on network television?

Should the voters be able to define "marriage"?

Taxes:

The rich already pay more taxes then the poor, but they have the money right?   

Don't most rich people get rich off the hard work of the middle class?

Should the income over $250k gained from investments be taxed at 15% or 28%?

Who makes better use of the money?  The Government by investing in social programs and infastructure?  or the rich by investing in business and industry?

Will investors look elsewhere if the tax rate goes up to 28%?

Iraq:

Whether you agree with the war or not, we're stuck with it.  Iran is trying to get nuclear capabilities, and they want to destroy Israel.  We might get off oil at some point in the future, but in the meantime we need a stable oil supply.  Will a Senator with more support in the world, fantastic diplomacy potential, and communication skills handle the situation better than a Senator with more experience and a history as an Admiral in the Navy and a prisoner of war?

It's important to ask yourself these questions before you vote.  If you don't think these are important questions, then find out what you think is important.  This country will be fine as long as those who live here try their best to make wise decisions.