Mike Huckabee: Thoughts

I promised a friend that I would look at Mike Huckabee's campaign for President. This post is a result of that promise…abit it's a little later then I original planned. =/

Oh – before I continue, please note all polical comments are mine and not my spouses… Tongue out Also note that as Christian brothers and sisters, we should contiune to love and like each other – even if we disagree on how our Federal Government is being handled. I know you all practice this already – but I justed wanted to make sure the guidelines where stated. Laughing

Summary:

I have mixed feelings about Gov. Huckabee as there things I like and dislike about his platform… but then, again, I don't think there's a candidate out there that I agree with 100%. [@more@]

Like:

  • Immigration – I like the fact that he wants to secure our southern border and improve the Process of Legal Immigration
  • Huckabee realizes that we have to repair our nation's infrastructure as it has been in disrepair for many years.
  • Pro-Life – excellent! 
  • Track record: He did cut taxes and fees as Governor of Arkansas. However, is cutting taxes really the issue? Shouldn't we be focused on spending less money on better projects? For example: did Bush's tax cuts really help when he spent a few billion buying an Middle Eastern oil field?
  • Control Spending
  • Huckabee believes we should take steps to curb greenhouse-gas emissions even if he is unconvinced that climate change driven by human activity. It's a start….
  • He emphasizes that there's a religious and moral imperative to conserve resources and protect the earth. Wonderful!!!
  • Track Record: As Governor, Huckabee "signed into law the Arkansas Renewable Energy Development Act [PDF], which requires utilities to offer net metering to both commercial and residential customers." Cool.
  • Second Amendment rights belong to individuals, not cities or states. He opposes gun control based on geography.

Dislike:

  • Immigration – no guest worker permit. I'm not for total amnesty, but at the same time let's not tear up families by deporting half the family while the other half stays legally. I think we need to come up with a plan that allows those who want to stay become legal while removing those who want to go home.
  • I listened to his interview with Glenn Beck and all I heard was the same old Republicans rhetoric that got us into this mess…. We need change!! Not the politics as normal!!
  • Huckabee wants to "encourage the private sector" of health care to "bring down costs". This is like giving a mouse dipped in catnip to a cougar!! We need to totally redo the national health care system – not just encourage companies to do a better job. Ideally I would like for us to go to a not-for-profit health system.
  • Supports raising standards to 35 mpg by 2020 – I don't think this is good enough.. We are in the middle of a serious problem with our dependence on foreign oil. We need to shoot high and hold the car companies feet to the fire.
  • I'm glad that Huckabee wants to supports "alternative" energy sources – but calling for 15% from such sources by 2020 is nothing more then lip service! I'm insulted that he thinks such a 'bone' will appease the masses!!! We need to do more – now, not 100 years for now!! People are dieing from lung cancer, poisoned water and horrible air!!! We owe it to them to clean up our air and energy sources!
  • Huckabee wants to increase the defense budget. Hmm… haven't we spend enough money on fighting the world's battles? Maybe it's time to focus on issues back home!
  • Huckabee said that he supports line-item vetoes for the President "to control spending". I like the fact he wants to "control spending", but via line-item vetoes? To me, this would seem to render the Constitutional Balance of Powers useless (ie. it would make it harder for Congress to balance out the powers of the President)