Military rather than diplomatic action

Here are some of McCain's wrong judgments: The support of our pre-emptive invasion of Iraq where there were no WMDs and no connections with al-Qaida, our real enemy. Putting no time limits on our occupation his insistence on a futile quest for so-called "victory." Insisting on putting preconditions on direct diplomatic talks with Iran. Taking a shoot-from-the-hip provocative warlike stand with Georgia over the Russian incursion into South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Thoughtlessly playing bellicose games that could lead to another the Cold War. Continued tax breaks for the wealthy, the oil companies, and deference to corporate special interests. Did he once support the privatization of Social Security when Republicans were touting that plan? Flip-flopping on his previous support of pro-choice policies. (I actually approve of this conversion, but it says something faulty either about his judgment or about his sincerity.) A health care policy that would further enrich corporate interests, rather than provide real care for individual people. Selecting Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. His support of those, in the late 1980s, who plunged us into the need for a savings and loan bailout. Changing his long-standing pro-deregulation policies, which contributed mightily to our financial crises. In general the McCain record stands for military rather than diplomatic action, extreme support of corporate interests, and an insensitivity to working people's needs for wage increases, effective health care, and the educational needs of their children.

Marion J. Reis

Wheaton