Nick Carter and John Barrasso debate on PBS

On Tuesday, October 28, the debate between Nick Carter and John Barrasso took place on PBS. The whole debate, as well as the debates from the two previous nights, can be seen on the PBS website.

The discussion included climate change, diverse energy major investment in clean coal, wind energy, global warming, Pinedale and the environment regarding natural gas, public funding for campaigning and elections, the bailout, our policies of when we should go to war, government spending, Wyoming and our wolf policy. In the "question each other" portion, they discussed the inheritance tax, fair tax policies, an AARP questionnaire, showing up for debates, the decision of voting on bills with "pork", and amnesty to illegal aliens. Of course, we had closing statements.

I have to admit, I thought John Barrasso did the better job in this debate. I stated in a previous post that I am in agreement with Barrasso on his choice to vote no on the bailout. But I am still quite opposed to a good majority of Barrasso's stances, including his position on abortion, taxes, prayer in school, and gay rights. He let's his religious views get in the way of his job to represent ALL the people of Wyoming. Separation of church and state, Senator. It's written down for a reason.

Regarding the bailout

I could be wrong, but my gut feeling is that this whole bailout attempt is a bad idea. My chief complaint is, why is this the only plan being considered? Shouldn't a problem this enormous have several solutions to discuss? The thought process that "This is our only option" reeks of short-sightedness. Perhaps we need to think outside the cardboard container. Jeffrey A. Miron, a senior lecturer in economics at Harvard University, provides a different point of view in this op/ed piece which frankly, seems to make more sense to me.

After eight years of bad policy, my litmus test is as follows: If George W. Bush thinks it is a good idea, then it most likely is a bad idea.

Perhaps this is our wake up call to stop living beyond our means. The US government needs to start leading by example, and start finding ways to pay down the national debt, not keep adding to it. Perhaps for us citizens, a jolt back into reality, and not a new big screen TV, is exactly what we need.