Political positions of Herman Cain
Herman Cain is a businessman and radio talk show host who announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
Economic issues
Bank bailouts
Cain supported the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) bank bailouts as a way to save the economy, viewing it as an investment opportunity for the taxpayers. In a 2008 editorial, Cain wrote, "Owning a part of the major banks in America is not a bad thing. We could make a profit while solving a problem."[1] In May 2011, regarding his TARP support, Cain said "I don’t have any regrets . . . I studied the situation. I didn’t have trouble with the idea; I had trouble with its implementation, picking winners and losers."[2]
Federal Reserve
Cain believes that there was no need for an audit of the Federal Reserve.[3] Cain also commented that while such an audit is not a high priority for him, he does not object to it.
Gold standard
Cain supports the Gold standard, saying that abandoning it "allowed Congress to inflate our currency whenever they overspent. Now look at the mess that we have, . . .."[4]
Social security
Cain has strongly criticized the current implementation of Social Security, describing it as a "scam."[5] He favors reforming the current system "through free market solutions."[6]
Taxes
Cain supports lowering the corporate tax rates from 35 to 25 percent, eliminating the capital gains tax, and suspending taxes on repatriated foreign profits.[7] He also supports elimination of the estate tax. [citation needed]
Cain is a strong supporter of the FairTax,[8] which would replace all federal personal and corporate income taxes with a 23% national sales tax.[9]
Welfare
Cain has criticized welfare, stating that, "Programs today are designed to make people more dependent rather than less dependent."[10]
Social issues
Abortion
Cain is pro-life and opposes abortion. He believes that life begins at conception. He favors defunding Planned Parenthood.[11]
Homosexuality
Cain is against legalizing same-sex marriage.[12] He supports the Defense of Marriage Act.[13] Cain believes homosexuality is sinful and a choice.[14]
Foreign policy
Afghanistan
Cain has been supportive of a US presence in Afghanistan and of the Afghan War.[15]
Iraq
He was in favor of the war in Iraq, and opposes any timetable for withdrawal, arguing it to be equivalent to surrender.[16]
Iran
Cain favors a "diplomatic approach" to nuclear disarmament, but that the United States should be wary of the Iranian government.[17]
Israel
He supports Israel and believes that the US should aid Israel in defending itself.[18] After President Obama said that the starting point of negotiations for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians should be based on the 1967 borders with mutually agreed-upon land swaps, Cain said, "I was shocked at the president’s position, and I was equally shocked that he would unilaterally suggest that Israel would move the borders back which they acquired 44 years ago. This president threw Israel under the bus, there is no way around it. It demonstrates once again the arrogant disregard of this president for the opinion of the American people who like the relationship we have with Israel, and for Israel having the right to make its own decisions."[19]
Cain supports the Palestinian right of return under Israeli conditions.[20] He later commented that he had not understood the question while making his initial answer, but reiterated his support for it under Israeli conditions.[21]
North Korea
Cain opposes any form of negotiation with North Korea, and has argued for maintaining "peace through strength".[22]
Russia
Cain opposed the New START treaty because he believes that the US should retain freedom to develop nuclear weapons systems.[23]
Other issues
Education
Cain opposes federal education schemes such as 'No Child Left Behind', and advocates "unbundling" education, weakening the Department of Education in favor of state control of education. He has argued for greater performance-related pay for teachers, as well as for vouchers and charter school systems.[24]
Energy and the environment
Cain favors offshore drilling and favors drilling in ANWR. He favors allowing consumers to choose alternative energy sources such as solar and wind through the private market instead of the government providing funding and incentives to particular corporations and industries.[25]
Health care
Cain favors repealing the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Cain favors allowing the free market to play the largest role in health care.[26]
Cain strongly supported the 2011 Ryan budget plan, which privatizes Medicare, describing it favorably as a "voucher program."[27]
Immigration
Cain believes illegal immigrants should be able to go through the traditional citizenship process, but opposed what he has described as a sense of automatic "entitlement" by illegals.[28]
Second Amendment
He believes that any concealed carry law must be dealt with at the state level.[29]
Religion of Federal Appointees
Cain stated that he would not appoint any Muslim within his cabinet, on the grounds that they may support Sharia law.[30][31] In response to allegations of religious bigotry, Cain has described his position as being "cautious".[32]
Supreme Court justices
He has expressed support for Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.[33]
References
- ^ Cain, Herman (October 20, 2008). "Far from Nationalization, Purchase of Bank Stocks Is a Win-Win for Taxpayers". North Star Writers Group. Retrieved 2011-05-16.
- ^ Costa, Robert (May 12, 2011). "Introducing Herman Cain". National Review. p. 7. Retrieved 2011-05-16.
- ^ FLASHBACK: In 2008, Herman Cain praised TARP, chided "free market" purists | Philip Klein | Beltway Confidential | Washington Examiner
- ^ RealClearPolitics - Video - Herman Cain: Return To The Gold Standard
- ^ http://004eeb5.netsolhost.com/hc14.htm
- ^ Herman Cain - Social Security
- ^ http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/0519-herman-cain
- ^ McLaughlin, Seth (May 10, 2011). "GOP field has own 'change' ideas". Washington Times. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:HR00025:@@@L&summ2=m&
- ^ Q & A: Herman Cain on Faith, Calling, and Presidential Aspirations, Christianity Today, Interview by Trevor Persaud
- ^ Herman Cain - Abortion
- ^ Gays: Start fretting over Atlanta’s Herman Cain — Project Q Atlanta
- ^ Herman Cain: I’d Rather Defend DOMA Than Protect Religious Liberty | Equality Matters
- ^ Montopoli, Brian. "Herman Cain: Homosexuality is a sin and a choice Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20070225-503544.html#ixzz1OqHQ3zBa". CBSNews.com. CBS News. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - ^ http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/rep_bios.php?rep_id=98516477&category=views&id=20110509170146
- ^ http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/rep_bios.php?rep_id=98516477&category=views&id=20110526130557
- ^ Herman Cain - Iran
- ^ Herman Cain - Israel
- ^ Fox Interview of Herman Cain on Israel
- ^ http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/05/23/136586652/herman-cain-wasnt-able-on-palestinian-right-of-return-question
- ^ http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/cain-i-didnt-understand-the-right-of-return-video.php
- ^ Herman Cain - North Korea
- ^ Herman Cain - Nuclear Weapons
- ^ Herman Cain - Education
- ^ Herman Cain - Energy and the Environment
- ^ Herman Cain - Health Care
- ^ Oliphant, James (May 26, 2011). "Is Cain able? Herman Cain scores in latest presidential poll". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Herman Cain - Immigration
- ^ Herman Cain - The Second Amendment
- ^ http://nation.foxnews.com/herman-cain/2011/03/28/herman-cain-i-would-not-appoint-muslim-my-administration
- ^ Scott Keyes (March 26, 2011). "Herman Cain Tells ThinkProgress 'I Will Not' Appoint A Muslim In My Administration". Think Progress. Center for American Progress Action Fund. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Herman Cain - Supreme Court Justices