I posted this about a week ago. In light of what has happened since then, I think it is relevant to post it again. Past is prologue, here is what the aspiring, two-headed, morphed, sci-fi freak creation Jonah McPalin did when given the opportunity in the past.
It is important to remember facts, especially in regards to items that are important now. What was McCain's judgment years ago, when given the chance to enact legislation that would have gone a long way toward preventing the mess we are in now. What is his judgment. Remind youself with a review of what he did in the past when he had a chance.
Recently, John McCain said "Congress created the loopholes that allowed the housing mess to happen." He apparently forget that he is a member of Congress and has been for some time. What is the maverick's record on housing related issues, mortgage assistance, homeless assistance, and oversight? Just a reminder of the record
McCain Voted Against A National Affordable Housing Program. McCain voted against an amendment that would increase the general estate tax exemption for a couple to $4 million, as well as the family-owned business exemption to $8 million per couple by 2010 and establish a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the production of affordable housing. The amendment would dedicate $5 billion to the trust fund. [2000 Senate Vote #189, 7/14/2000]
McCain Voted Against Over $1 Billion In Homeless Assistance. McCain voted against an amendment to restore homeless assistance funding to the 1995 level of $1.12 billion, an increase of $360 million from the bill, and offset the costs by reducing funds for the renewal of expiring subsidized private housing contracts. [1995 Senate Vote #468, 9/27/1995]
McCain Voted Against An Independent Regulatory Agency For Federal Home Loans. McCain voted against the Federal Housing Regulatory Reform Act which created an independent regulatory agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to oversee the activities of Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. [1992 Senate Vote #137, 7/1/1992]
Too Busy Campaigning; McCain Missed A Vote To Protect Renters. McCain missed a vote on an amendment that would allow renters to stay in their apartments during a bankruptcy proceeding if they can pay the rent during that time, unless the debtor has endangered property or used an illegal drug. [2000 Senate Vote #3, 2/2/2000]
McCain Voted Against $105.8 Billion, Including Funding For HUD And $453 Million In Rental Assistance Vouchers. McCain voted against a bill that would provide $105.8 billion for the departments of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, NASA, EPA, National Science Foundation and related agencies. It includes $453 million for new rental assistance vouchers. The bill also includes language that incorporates a slightly amended version of the fiscal 2001 energy and water appropriations bill. [2000 Senate Vote #272, 10/12/2000]
"I am prepared to examine new proposals and evaluate them based on these principals. But I think we
need to do two things right away. First, it is time to convene a meeting of the nation's accounting
professionals to discuss the current mark to market accounting systems... We should also convene a
meeting of the nation's top mortgage lenders." [McCain’s Remarks on Economic Woes, 3/25/08]
John McCain loves to deride Barack Obama when he dares to state that pulling together experts on a subject matter, engaging them in methods to fix a specific problem, getting the various inputs then making a decision if it involves defense. Ready, fire, aim McCain takes a totally different stance when it involves the economy, particularly housing. Voting against the bill that would have provided oversight on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac certainly seems like prophesy fulfilled now. When McCain had the chance to use judgment he chose not to.
Just more evidence he is totally against the government helping the people inside the borders, but has no problem with it spending much greater sums of money attacking other countries then creating a police-state to justify it. Where is the housing assistance surge?