Why I support John McCain in 2008

Dear friends and colleagues,

I seldom write emails encouraging you to vote in any direction. However, this election is so important to our future, that I cannot stand by without expressing my personal thoughts.

I support John McCain as the next president. Here is why.

Sen. McCain served our nation faithfully during the horrible Vietnam Conflict. As a POW, he was tortured routinely by his sadistic NVA guards. They knew that his father was the admiral commanding operations in the Pacific for the United States. Sen. McCain was given the opportunity for freedom due to his father's position. He chose to stay in captivity, citing the Code of Conduct for POW's, stating that the release of POW's is determined by length of captivity. By choosing to remain faithful to his fellow prisoners and our Code of Conduct, his partially healed left arm was rebroken and he was put into solitary confinement for several years, with torture being his only human contact. Sen. McCain was loyal to his ideals and his fellow Americans. This proves his steadfastness and resolve, as well as his unquestioned integrity.

Sen. McCain is Pro Life without ANY equivocation. Regardless of your personal beliefs on abortion, it is refreshing to see a politician answer a question as simply and directly as Sen. McCain did to Pastor Rick Warren. If you believe that abortion is murder, and that our nation is cursed with comfort abortions, and you believe that human life begins at conception, there is no choice as to your selection for president.

Sen McCain is experienced in Foreign Policy and National Defense. During the recent turmoil in the Republic of Georgia, John McCain provided the information and guidance that explained the conflict. He also knows how to deal with Russia from the perspective of a tested "Cold Warrior". Russia must be dealt with from a position of strength and resolve. Though there are always points available for diplomacy, Moscow must understand that the United States will NOT allow the national sovereignty of our allies to be violated. This includes allies such as the Republic of Georgia and Poland. His opponent has no experience dealing with major conflicts nor with enemies such as may be seen in the near future. There is no room for error and no room for inexperience in our dealings with Russia.

Sen. McCain supports progressive energy development. His Lexington Plan, named for the first battle for our own national independence, provides an excellent plan for our own Energy Independence. By combining tax credits for alternative energy, domestic drilling for oil, wind farms, solar initiatives, and mandates for higher MPG in domestic automobiles, Sen. McCain lays the progressive groundwork for the near future. Our national security demands that an intelligent plan be established for energy independence. Also, our economy must be protected from the unstable petroleum market directed by nations hostile to the United States. OPEC is a danger to every American and our national economic stability.

Sen. McCain is known as a political maverick who has always been willing to step across the aisle to achieve America's goals. Though this has brought him irritation from ultra conservatives who allow ideology to trump progress, his actions prove that he is not just a Republican, but an American. He has transcended politics to become a doer instead of a talker. As a result, he is respected in both parties and especially by other independent minded politicians such as Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a democrat.

His opponent, however, shares few of these honorable characteristics. Nor is he ready to lead.

Barack Obama voted against protecting unborn children. Even worse, he was a lone voice in the Illinois legislature voting against a measure that would protect survivors of abortions. Such children were born and taken to the morgue to die alone and in pain. Obama refused to sign legislation to help those children. He truly stands for infanticide.

Barack Obama has ZERO experience leading anything other than a legislative office. He has never sponsored a bill of major consequence. His knowledge of foreign policy is negligible at best. His solution to the Russia / Georgia crisis was, "Let's have them sit together to talk out their differences." Obviously by his answer, he has no knowledge of the deep geopolitics involved in this situation. John McCain does.

Barack Obama has ties to domestic terrorists, including members of the 1970's radical terrorist group Weather Underground. They planned to bomb the US Capitol, The Pentagon, and NYC Police HQ. Is this the man you want in the White House?

Many Americans want change. I do as well. However, change must come in the form of educated steps, not rhetoric and platitudes. I am truly frightened at the changes that Senator Obama will bring to our nation. Even worse, I don't truly believe that he even knows what the ramifications to his decisions will be if he is elected.

My friends, if you love your county, regardless of your feelings about our current administration, I urge you to look closely at your decision this November. Visit John McCain's website, www.johnmccain.com and find the answers you need to vote with your intellect. Elections aren't about emotion. A true democracy must be inhabited with men and women who vote based upon an intelligent analysis of the issues. Emotion must not play into this election. Vote with your mind. I encourage you to vote for a man who is ready to lead us into the dangers of the next decade. Please cast your vote for Sen. John McCain this November.

Finally, I ask you to please forward my letter to your family, colleagues, friends, and ANYONE who needs help deciding how to vote this November. Please note that I have no affiliation, either paid or volunteer, with the McCain campaign. I am simply passing along my personal point of view and expressing my support for Senator McCain.

Thank you and God Bless America.

Jay Burkos