Ok, so I'm looking up his plan and I come across the following points
- Restore America's Respect in the World and Make us Independent of Mideast Oil
1. Launch and Lead A New Era Of Alliances
Exactly where are they going to get those allies? France? France will not join unless they can lead, they made that abundantly clear during the discussions in the UN over the invasion of Iraq. Perhaps China or Russia? Not if they open bilateral talks with North Korea which he has already promised to do as soon as he is in office. Germany? That would be a big help, especially since he would be coming in after damaging his potential releations with Great Britain, Poland and Australia.
2. Modernize The World's Most Powerful Military To Meet New Threats
Why did they consistently vote to not authorize funding for the modernization? Or do they mean by creating 2 new divisions this will modernize it? News flash for those that don't know how large a division is. The Marine Corps had 4 divisions, and was at (if I remember correctly) 280,000 men and women when I was in. That means about 70,000 men and women per division - let's make it conservative and drop it to 50,000. With 2 new divisions, that is 100,000 more people. I don't think he will be able to fill those divisions with volunteers. So, in reality, we do have a presidential candidate who is calling for a draft, and it is not President Bush.
3. Deploy All That Is In America's Arsenal
He means not just military might, but diplomacy (see point 1), intelligence system (you remember, the one that is so flawed), our economic power (the one that is doing so poorly right now).
4. Free America From Its Dangerous Dependence On Mideast Oil
His plan calls for it to happen in 2020. He won't be president then.
Create New Jobs, Strengthen the Middle Class, and Ensure Educational Opportunity
1. Reward Companies that Create Jobs in America.
This one I have to admit I do like.
2. Strengthen the Middle Class
They will do this by "cutting taxes and investing in health care and education. ". I don't believe this is fiscally possible with the rest of his promises.
3. Invest in the Jobs of the Future
So they will be cutting taxes for those who send their kids to college (a wonderful idea) while giving more taxes to those who would be creating the jobs, so they won't be available when the kids graduate. Hmmm.
4. Restore Fiscal Discipline to Washington
By not voting for fiscal measures that they originally voted for?
Provide High-Quality Health Care, Improve Education, and Strengthen Families
1. Up to $1,000 of Health Care Premium Relief
Why do they need this if they are going to give everyone access to the health care system the Congress has?
2. A Health Plan for Every Child
Sounds great - but financially I don't see it being a reality.
3. Manage Skyrocketing Health Care Costs
2 lawyers are going to manage the skyrocketing health care costs that was caused in part by other lawyers. Thats a tough one to swallow.
4. World Class Education
Again, sounds great, but very expensive - all without added more taxes to us taxpayers who make less than $200,000 a year? Very hard to believe.
5. Every Classroom Has a Great Teacher
Even the children from Never, Never Land. This one is all fluff and no substance - and unbelievable.
6. Every Young Person Graduates
He's going to do this by making schools smaller (ok, good idea, but that means you have to build many more schools) and - oh yea, making the curriculm tougher so that it will be more meaningful - and more difficult for those who are having problems with grades to make it - but they will graduate.
I think his plan is full of wholes. Let the flames begin.
- Restore America's Respect in the World and Make us Independent of Mideast Oil
1. Launch and Lead A New Era Of Alliances
Exactly where are they going to get those allies? France? France will not join unless they can lead, they made that abundantly clear during the discussions in the UN over the invasion of Iraq. Perhaps China or Russia? Not if they open bilateral talks with North Korea which he has already promised to do as soon as he is in office. Germany? That would be a big help, especially since he would be coming in after damaging his potential releations with Great Britain, Poland and Australia.
2. Modernize The World's Most Powerful Military To Meet New Threats
Why did they consistently vote to not authorize funding for the modernization? Or do they mean by creating 2 new divisions this will modernize it? News flash for those that don't know how large a division is. The Marine Corps had 4 divisions, and was at (if I remember correctly) 280,000 men and women when I was in. That means about 70,000 men and women per division - let's make it conservative and drop it to 50,000. With 2 new divisions, that is 100,000 more people. I don't think he will be able to fill those divisions with volunteers. So, in reality, we do have a presidential candidate who is calling for a draft, and it is not President Bush.
3. Deploy All That Is In America's Arsenal
He means not just military might, but diplomacy (see point 1), intelligence system (you remember, the one that is so flawed), our economic power (the one that is doing so poorly right now).
4. Free America From Its Dangerous Dependence On Mideast Oil
His plan calls for it to happen in 2020. He won't be president then.
Create New Jobs, Strengthen the Middle Class, and Ensure Educational Opportunity
1. Reward Companies that Create Jobs in America.
This one I have to admit I do like.
2. Strengthen the Middle Class
They will do this by "cutting taxes and investing in health care and education. ". I don't believe this is fiscally possible with the rest of his promises.
3. Invest in the Jobs of the Future
So they will be cutting taxes for those who send their kids to college (a wonderful idea) while giving more taxes to those who would be creating the jobs, so they won't be available when the kids graduate. Hmmm.
4. Restore Fiscal Discipline to Washington
By not voting for fiscal measures that they originally voted for?
Provide High-Quality Health Care, Improve Education, and Strengthen Families
1. Up to $1,000 of Health Care Premium Relief
Why do they need this if they are going to give everyone access to the health care system the Congress has?
2. A Health Plan for Every Child
Sounds great - but financially I don't see it being a reality.
3. Manage Skyrocketing Health Care Costs
2 lawyers are going to manage the skyrocketing health care costs that was caused in part by other lawyers. Thats a tough one to swallow.
4. World Class Education
Again, sounds great, but very expensive - all without added more taxes to us taxpayers who make less than $200,000 a year? Very hard to believe.
5. Every Classroom Has a Great Teacher
Even the children from Never, Never Land. This one is all fluff and no substance - and unbelievable.
6. Every Young Person Graduates
He's going to do this by making schools smaller (ok, good idea, but that means you have to build many more schools) and - oh yea, making the curriculm tougher so that it will be more meaningful - and more difficult for those who are having problems with grades to make it - but they will graduate.
I think his plan is full of wholes. Let the flames begin.



