Scott Brown on the issues

Okay, this post isn't on Japan. Apologies. A lot of people I know are excited about Scott Brown's senate win in Massachusetts. I'm not. In fact, it downright saddens me because he's being treated like a real alternative, when he's not. He supports the state over the law (on torture), and on many issues it's clear he'll favor corporations over individuals. Go to his issues page and judge for yourself. Here are my own comments on what he says:

On why he is running:

America is a great country but we also have some challenges that we need to solve if we're going to remain the world's superpower.

Okay so his primary goal is to keep America a super power. Okay.

On Health Care:

I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but I am opposed to the health care legislation that is under consideration in Congress and will vote against it.

He believes all Americans should have health care. Only he thinks he can finesse that better under corporatism as opposed to all out socialism. This is similar to Obama being against war, when it's a Republican war.

On the Economy:

I am a free enterprise advocate who believes that lower taxes can encourage economic growth. Raising taxes stifles growth, weakens the economy and puts more people out of work.

Okay, so he doesn't favor actually eliminating any tax, but basically just fine tuning the tax system so as to help corporate America maintain its super power state. Okay.

On Energy and Environment:

I support common-sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces. I realize that without action now, future generations will be left to clean up the mess we leave.

Whatever.

On education:

I am passionate about improving the quality of our public schools.

He's not against public education (presumably we're talking on a federal level here), instead he just wants to fine tune it so it works. He doesn't say it, but perhaps he thinks it needs more corporatism.

On immigration:

I recognize that our strength as a nation is built on the immigrant experience in America. I welcome legal immigration to this country. However, we are also a nation of laws and government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration.

The usual stuff. Personally, I think the immigration issue needs to be handled via human rights. People have rights that supersede the state. What are they?

On veterans:

As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard, I am uniquely aware of the importance and sacrifice of our men and women serving in the military. I have been a vigorous supporter of legislation providing benefits to returning service members, as well as, benefits for the families of those killed in action.

Okay. He's talking about veterans, but in general I would say, support the military, bring them home.

On gun issues:

I support safe and responsible gun ownership.

He doesn't support gun ownership. He supports safe and responsible gun ownership.

On marriage:

I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

Whatever.

On Israel:

Israel has made enormous sacrifices in an attempt to secure peace – including unilateral withdrawal from Gaza.

Whatever. I don't want this to be an American issue.

On Iran:

I support the bi-partisan Iran sanctions bill and believe that until Ahmadinejad gives up his nuclear ambitions he should be isolated from the rest of the world.

And so on and so forth.

Here are a scattering of issues not mentioned, the Federal Reserve, income tax, eminent domain and property rights, American independence and sovereignty and so on. He might have views on these, but they aren't important enough to put on his issues page. I actually searched his entire site for the three letters "fed" and found nothing. Try it yourself.