Presidental Campaigns: Interesting developments

Hmm, interesting. A recent story about Sean Penn's opinions on Obama's voting record got me researching ... and I'm wondering how this stuff hasn't been brought up yet (perhaps because the other candidates voted the same way ... I haven't looked yet).

Okay here are some things you may not know:

he missed a vote on Providing money to help cities & states rebuild neighborhoods that have been effected by the mortgage crisis. It would also give a $7000 credit for people purchasing a foreclosed home. it allows more people to qualify for mortgage counseling so they don't lose their property. It also extends the provisions for Enviromental friendly housing credits. [way to show your support for families & the enviroment ... NOT]

In 2007 & so far in 2008, he has only voted on 1 farming bill. The one he did vote on ( he voted for it) limited how much subsidies a married couple could get based on income [for those of you who don't realize it, most farmers these days have to work off-farm to make ends meet].
One of the votes he didn't show up for, would have replaced the subsidies with government sponsored insurance, while also protecting enviromentally sensitive lands!

In June (2007) he voted against a bill that would prohibit undocumented immigrants convicted of aggravated felonies, domestic violence, stalking, violation of protection orders, crimes against children, or crimes relating to the illegal purchase or sale of firearms, from gaining legal status. [nope, can't expect them to obey the laws, huh?]

In 2006, he voted against increasing the number of beds and the number of workers for housing illegals while they awaited their trial/deportation/asylum hearings/etc. This means that there is either (a) over crowding & not enough people to take care of them, or (b) more illegals will have to spend time in jail instead of a residence type holding. [now in fairness I will state that this would also have rerouted money from the Coast Guard to the immigration service]

In 2005, he voted against a bill that would have cut $5000 annually earmarked for 'entertainment' from the budget of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) ... which was put into the budget since 1999 (for those counting, that is nearly $50,000 wasted by now).

He also voted against an amendment that would have added $1.28 billion to the "Low Income Home Energy Program", the funds would have come from cutting all appropriations passed that year by less than 1%. These funds go to help low income families pay their electric & heating bills during the winter and in some cases during the summer as well (if needed for medical conditions).

He voted against a motion to appropriate $450.13 billion to the Department of Defense and related agencies, including funds for operations in Iraq and Afganistan and funds for Hurricane Relief activities.

But perhaps the most telling of these votes -- for you Anti-Bush people -- he voted AGAINST an admendment that would have made the Secretary of Defense submit procedures determining the status of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to the Senate and the House.
Yep -- so for all his statements about how bad Guantanamo is -- he voted against a way of forcing the government to say what the guidelines are for keeping them there!!

People should really know who they are voting for .... because I don't think they would if they knew this man's track record!! The real one, not the one he wants you to see.

He's a great magician. has you watching one hand while he buffs us over with the other.