U.S. can't afford fiscal conservative

The reason that voters should reject John McCain in November is that he is a conservative, yes, a reactionary in the mode of Reagan and Bush.

According to the Congressional Quarterly, McCain voted with the President's position 95 percent of the time in 2007. Hardly what you would call a maverick, as he likes to describe himself.

Conservative policies have been a disaster for the country, both economically and in foreign affairs. The conservatives oppose health care legislation, minimum wage increases and, in general, most ideas that would benefit middle and lower earning families.

Most of the increase in the national debt from less than $1 trillion in 1980 to almost $10 trillion in 2008 has happened with conservative presidents in the Oval office. Conservatives are responsible for blundering the country into an unnecessary war in Iraq, which so far has cost the country about $700 billion.

Conservatives ignored the Constitution and FISA, when it illegally conducted electronic surveillance on U.S. citizens. The conservative Bush administration acts as if Congress is not an equal branch of government.

Remember when President Reagan illegally sold arms to Iran and then transferred the money to the Contras? If it wasn't for the Second Amendment, conservatives would totally ignore the Constitution.

Conservative fiscal policies by any measure have been a disaster for the country and a McCain presidency promises more of the same - increased spending and cutting taxes while the country is at war. Of course, Obama will do the same if he is elected. It is just that his tax cuts will benefit the people that need it the most.

But most importantly, voters should reject McCain because he is a conservative and the country simply cannot afford another "fiscally conservative" president.

Victor Darst

West Dundee