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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Barkey Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#45501: Dec 30th 2012 at 10:40:44 PM

Tim Kaine, a Roman Catholic, is privately against abortion for religious reasons,[55] but clearly opposes overturning Roe v. Wade. On his 2012 Senate campaign website he says, "I strongly support the right of women to make their own health and reproductive decisions and, for that reason, will oppose efforts to weaken or subvert the basic holding of Roe v. Wade." Abortion is treated as an "individual right."

Kaine claims that he has encouraged policymakers to focus on bringing down the number of abortions by reducing teen pregnancy through abstinence-focused education, ensuring women's access to health care and contraception, and promoting adoption.[56] He supports some legal restrictions on abortion, such as requiring parental consent and banning partial-birth abortions in cases where the woman's life is not at risk.[57]

Ok, starting to like this guy a bit...

On the issue of the war in Afghanistan, Kim Kaine's website states "The main mission in Afghanistan—destroying Al Qaeda—is nearly complete and we should bring our troops home as quickly as we can, consistent with the need to make sure that Afghanistan poses no danger in the broader region."[58]

That's a fair and realistic assessment, and better than the "ERMAGERD WAR" positions of many Dems...

Despite his personal opposition to capital punishment, often cited during the 2005 campaign by both sides, Kaine oversaw eleven executions as Governor, including the execution of John Allen Muhammad, the Beltway Sniper, on November 10, 2009. He has vetoed eight death-penalty expansion bills although some of the vetoes were overturned,[59][60] and opposed the electric chair as an option.[61] On June 9, 2008, Kaine commuted the death sentence of Percy Levar Walton to life in prison without parole.[62]

While this doesn't say too much about what he would do in an official capacity, it shows that he feels some people are ok to put to death, I can jive with that.

Health care

Kaine supported passage of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obama Care. On this issue, Kaine said, “I was a supporter and remain a supporter of the Affordable Care Act. I felt like it was a statement that we were going to put some things in the rear view mirror.”[63]

Pro-healthcare, ok. I've got a lot of worries about its implementation, but I'm overall a supporter of Obama Care myself.

Kaine says that he supports allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for those with high incomes.[68] Kaine also stated during a debate that he would be open to establishing a minimum tax that everyone must pay.[69]

Kaine supports removing the cap on income subject to Social-Security taxes. He said, "For Social Security, we can raise the income payroll tax cap so that it covers a similar percentage of income as it did in the 1980s under President Reagan, which would greatly extend the solvency of the program."[70]

Kaine supports a new internet sales tax that would impose a sales tax on online sellers and require them to pay taxes to states where they have no physical presence. Sellers in states with low sales taxes, like Virginia, would be required to pay a higher sales tax directly to other states.[71][72]

Don't know if I like that sales tax idea. But that might just be because I love shopping online and like dodging sales tax. If I were in his position, I suppose I'd see both the way that could level the playing field for physical shopping locations and bring in more tax revenue at the same time.

But most importantly...

When news of the Virginia Tech massacre broke, Kaine canceled a trade mission to Japan and India to attend to the situation. Kaine spoke at the convocation held in Blacksburg the day after the shooting in which he invoked the Biblical story of Job. Kaine said he would appoint a panel of independent law-enforcement officials to determine what the university knew about the student responsible for the massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 32 people.

The commission, led by former Virginia State Police Superintendent Gerald Massengill and former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, began work on April 28, 2007, and issued its findings and recommendations on August 30, 2007. On April 30, 2007, Governor Kaine signed an executive order instructing state agencies to step up efforts to block gun sales to people involuntarily committed to inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment centers.[33] Kaine's quick return to the state and his handling of the issue received widespread praise.[34]

Nice. He focused on the mental health aspect of the spree shooting, and didn't go into some kneejerk lets ban guns response.

Under Kaine's leadership, Richmond saw the construction of its first new schools in a generation, tax cuts, and a reduction in the city’s crime rate. Richmond’s success in reducing violent crime, including a 55 percent drop in the city's homicide rate during his tenure,[10] earned national recognition from Presidents Clinton and Bush and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Richmond's economic success during Kaine’s tenure earned the city its first-ever listing in Forbes Magazine’s annual ranking of the top 10 cities in America for doing business.[11]

As mayor, Kaine gained national attention following the implementation of a gun law known as Project Exile, an initiative that moved trials for armed defendants to federal court, which has stiffer sentencing guidelines.[12][13]

(From Project Exile entry) The National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Brady Campaign were both early and vocal supporters of Project Exile, as were federal and city officials who claimed that Project Exile helped to reduce firearm-related violence in Richmond by 40 percent. The NRA lobbied the U.S. Congress to help secure $2.3 million for emulation of Exile in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden County, New Jersey, where similar firearms-related violence has plagued the communities.

Ok, this guy seems pretty cool. I'd vote for him.

From his current track record so far, it looks like he dives into problems pretty quickly, and isn't interested in slapping band-aids on epidemic issues to save face. Looks like with every issue he's tackled, he's went to the root of the problem in an analytical fashion. Short of him really fucking up and saying something I really don't like, I'd vote for this guy.

When you can come up with an idea that gets both the Brady Campaign and the NRA to put their money in the same pot, that gives me some vague hope that he could twist a pretty good deal with the GOP if he needed to.

edited 30th Dec '12 10:42:33 PM by Barkey

Ultrayellow Unchanging Avatar. Since: Dec, 2010
Unchanging Avatar.
#45502: Dec 30th 2012 at 10:46:30 PM

I'd vote for him too.

Bummer about the Name of Cain, though...

Except for 4/1/2011. That day lingers in my memory like...metaphor here...I should go.
deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#45503: Dec 30th 2012 at 10:54:31 PM

...I want to see a President Warren.

Ultrayellow Unchanging Avatar. Since: Dec, 2010
Unchanging Avatar.
#45504: Dec 30th 2012 at 10:55:54 PM

You won't. Short of the Republican primaries proving even more dysfunctional than usual, it's not happening.

Except for 4/1/2011. That day lingers in my memory like...metaphor here...I should go.
deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#45505: Dec 30th 2012 at 10:58:58 PM

Ok, then. Let's ensure they are. :D

DeviantBraeburn Wandering Jew from Dysfunctional California Since: Aug, 2012
Wandering Jew
#45506: Dec 30th 2012 at 11:00:28 PM

The only way I see President Warren happening is through succession.

Short of the Republican primaries proving even more dysfunctional than usual, it's not happening.

Even then see would have a tough time getting past the Democrat Primaries.

edited 30th Dec '12 11:04:45 PM by DeviantBraeburn

Everything is Possible. But some things are more Probable than others. JEBAGEDDON 2016
deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#45507: Dec 30th 2012 at 11:01:58 PM

We can ensure that too! (I'm joking on this one. Please don't take it seriously, and remember that I'm a pacifist.)

edited 30th Dec '12 11:02:12 PM by deathpigeon

TheyCallMeTomu Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
#45508: Dec 30th 2012 at 11:02:08 PM

Something about Elizabeth Warren makes me want to give her a hug.

deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#45509: Dec 30th 2012 at 11:05:08 PM

...I ship it.

...

...

Sorry. (Not really.)

edited 30th Dec '12 11:05:30 PM by deathpigeon

shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#45510: Dec 30th 2012 at 11:25:25 PM

The Abstinence focused education thing on Kaine is really worrying since that is documented to raise abortion rates, STD transmission rates, and teen pregnancy. It's really worrying that he'd support something so immoral. I get where he's coming from, but it still doesn't work as advertised.

It is good that he supports contraception though.

He seems sane overall though.

edited 30th Dec '12 11:28:12 PM by shimaspawn

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#45511: Dec 30th 2012 at 11:34:09 PM

Shima, abstinence focused isn't abstinence only focused education. And, as he's also encouraging things like Obamacare and more adoption as an alternative option, it's not like he's going with one solution and one solution only here.

shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#45512: Dec 30th 2012 at 11:42:15 PM

I know that there's a difference between them, but most abstinence focused education I've seen treats things like birth control as a footnote rather than something vital and important. As a result it's marginally better than abstinence but still has almost all of the same results.

The most successful sex education for preventing pregnancy and STD spread is sex education that focuses on educating people about sex. Not about saying no to it. Please, do encourage abstinence, but focus on the nitty gritty and not just for the straight kids, because at some point, it will be important.

edited 30th Dec '12 11:44:05 PM by shimaspawn

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#45513: Dec 31st 2012 at 1:16:28 AM

Warren winning the Democratic primary is unlikely, though admittedly I'm looking at 2004 for this. Howard Dean pulled the grassroots up, but when push came to shove, the party picked the Democratic version of Romney; someone effectively no different from Bush. Remember that corporate money is spent on both sides of the fence.

Now, I do believe that Warren could win the 2016 election if she makes it past the primary (unlikely) and the Tea Party continues its hijack of the Republican Party (very likely). Warren's attacks on corporate money are straight out of the populares playbook. "We have a corruption problem, give me power and I'll roll up my sleeves and fix it." I'd worry about her risk of assassination if she came close to success, though.

Ultrayellow Unchanging Avatar. Since: Dec, 2010
Unchanging Avatar.
#45514: Dec 31st 2012 at 9:05:53 AM

Assassination? Restrain the paranoia, please.

Except for 4/1/2011. That day lingers in my memory like...metaphor here...I should go.
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#45515: Dec 31st 2012 at 9:08:17 AM

You really think they'd risk an assassination attempt when she's the Democratic front runner? That would be political suicide for the GOP. It would make people think they want a one party dictatorship and are willing to kill people that are dangerous.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#45516: Dec 31st 2012 at 9:08:51 AM

You guys are awfully optimistic that Warren won't be taking in corporate cash after a few years in the Senate.tongue Not exactly unprecedented for someone to like the perks over principles in this business.

edited 31st Dec '12 9:52:28 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#45517: Dec 31st 2012 at 9:10:51 AM

We'll see what she does. Obviously if she just becomes another sellout I wouldn't support her as much.

Joesolo Indiana Solo Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Indiana Solo
#45518: Dec 31st 2012 at 9:13:32 AM

Maybe they means an education that actually encourages abstinence instead of treating it as a foot note? every health class I've had had the teacher practically laugh at the idea.

edited 31st Dec '12 9:13:47 AM by Joesolo

I'm baaaaaaack
Lawyerdude Citizen from my secret moon base Since: Jan, 2001
Citizen
#45519: Dec 31st 2012 at 10:13:45 AM

I don't get why people who are anti-abortion also tend to be against things that have actually been shown to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Abstinence should be taught as one among several options, including birth control, non-penetrative sex, and so on. And also teaching young people to make responsible decisions and to not have to feel pressured into sex if they're not ready. Ignorance is the absolutely worst option.

edited 31st Dec '12 10:15:21 AM by Lawyerdude

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.
Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#45520: Dec 31st 2012 at 10:20:31 AM

It's simple in my mind. Many that are anti-abortion are also anti-sex, at least until you're married. Possibly getting pregnant is a major deterrent towards sex for many young people (obviously not all) so if there's an easy out they don't like it because that means young people will just have sex with no consequences. The Catholic Church is probably the biggest opponent of contraceptives due to them thinking they're immoral.

c64system Mai Waifu from World Wide Web Since: Dec, 2012
Mai Waifu
#45521: Dec 31st 2012 at 10:30:00 AM

I also find people arguing about religious freedom on the topic of healthcare and birth control despite that they are giving not forcing to take those pills but giving people the choice.

Most ignorance is vincible ignorance. We don't know because we don't want to know. Aldous Huxley
Midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#45522: Dec 31st 2012 at 10:30:56 AM

[up][up]

Pretty much this. People that think sex for any purpose except generating a child is immoral dislike contraceptives no matter how effective they are because they think pregnancy will be enough to scare kids into not bumping uglies, and that contraceptives turn people into sluts.

edited 31st Dec '12 10:57:18 AM by Midgetsnowman

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#45523: Dec 31st 2012 at 10:32:06 AM

[up][up]In my experience most of those people are annoyed that they have to provide birth control to their employees despite having religious objections. In my view that's just a way of getting out of having to provide benefits for your workers.

edited 31st Dec '12 10:32:19 AM by Kostya

Lawyerdude Citizen from my secret moon base Since: Jan, 2001
Citizen
#45524: Dec 31st 2012 at 10:46:43 AM

Right. If you can use religion as grounds to deny your employees equal benefits under the law, then where do you stop? Supposed that I have a religious objection to hiring black people, or a religious objection to paying minimum wage?

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.
Karkadinn Karkadinn from New Orleans, Louisiana Since: Jul, 2009
Karkadinn
#45525: Dec 31st 2012 at 10:47:56 AM

Or a religious objection to paying wages at all, since they can be used to buy delicious bacon, which is tragically forbidden by various religions.... ;)

edited 31st Dec '12 10:48:13 AM by Karkadinn

Furthermore, I think Guantanamo must be destroyed.

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