The Candidates Positions on General Aviation

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:47 am

http://www.aopa.org/feature/election08/index.html

AOPA poses questions to McCain and Obama about general aviation.

It was pretty clear to me who answered the questions directly and is friendly to or at least open to the idea of protecting GA in the US.

The weight of the evidence on this and a number of other factors is really helping to clarify my choice.

Antony

Post by **Spike** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:58 pm

That was a very telling read if you ask me. I got the sense that the Obama campaign didn't think enough of the questionnaire to spend any real time answering it.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:02 pm

The thing I don't like about the way they went about this, is it's just a campaign position answer. Did John and Barack take the time to sit down and answer these questions...no. The campaign answered for them.

I do agree that the Obama campaign answers were lacking, but that's makes it hard to tell whether or not there's more to it...

Post by **Spike** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:11 pm

Good quesitons Chad.

Your post raises a question; do the campaigns truly reflect the candidates? If so, then we have somewhat of a picture of their standings on these issues. If not, then that would raise even larger questions.

I believe that at a minimum they reflect the candidates position, their ability to lead their own campaign teams, or both. To me, any and all of those possibilities are rather telling regarding Sen. Obama.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:20 pm

I'm still trying to figure out if the candidate's are running the campaign's, or if the campaign's are running the candidate's!

Don't take this as me defending one or the other, but I truly believe that while out appears as though McCain's answers are better thought out, this issue pales in comparison to "the big one's", and when we are talking 100+ million votes at stake, 600,000 pilots (if we ALL vote) and another 3-400,000 aviation professionals probably won't make the difference...wait, it's the electoral college system, so votes don't really matter anyway...

Right?

I could be wrong, but I can't see either of them taking much time on this subject right now...

Post by **Spike** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:33 pm

I believe your latter statement about taking the time is more likely than not correct.

I do believe there are much larger issues at hand as you say, and quite frankly GA issues don't drive my vote. But I do think I see consistency between the way these questions are handled and the way that the big questions are handled.

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:37 pm

Back when McCain was on the special FAA funding commitee, I send him a letter about user fees and he sent back a response.

Basically told me sorry about my luck and if he had anything to do with it, the future had user fees for all in it. He basically believes that the small guy uses the FAA resources for free and the airlines pay it all. No comment was made on the question I asked about where all the tax I pay per gallon of avgas goes.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:40 pm

Perhaps "taking the time" isn't the correct wording, but as far as issues in the here and now for the election in a little more than 2 weeks, a strong explanation on GA positions won't get much attention.

I'm right there with you tho, on the fact that my vote isn't swayed by the positions on GA.

DanH · Post by **DanH** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:58 pm

Recall that Phil Boyer called Sen. John McCain "the chief congressional proponent of user fees.." (1996)

Of course McCain hasn't been very flattering about Boyer. In a meeting of the FAA Management Advisory Council (2000) McCain told Boyer, "I seriously question your qualifications for this council." (Sheesh!)

In the 2007 Senate committee vote, McCain was "yea" on user fees.

Let's face it, the man has a long, clear position on GA fees.

Palin is clearly anti-user fee.

The air traffic controllers endorsed Obama, but that's a union thing.

Specific to user fees, Obama doesn't seem to be on record anywhere.

And having said all that, better we should pay close attention to our congressmen. The 2009 session is going to be crazy either way.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:02 pm

DanH wrote:And having said all that, better we should pay close attention to our congressmen. The 2009 session is going to be crazy either way.

You got that right Dan! There's not a more important vote to be cast than our Senator's and Representative's! Not even the Prez...

TomNativeNewYorker · Post by **TomNativeNewYorker** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:30 pm

Here is a website you can visit to check out ALL political candidates, how they stand on the issues, and their voting records.

http://votesmart.org/

captainron · Post by **captainron** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:16 pm

Hard to believe this is the Presidential election. In the debates, it sounds like two yokels arguing their qualifications for county clerk! Will we ever again have the best and the brightest running to lead our country?
"Of the people, By the people, and For the people!", sure!
Just substitute "politicians" for "people" for our current status.
What has become of our nation?

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:11 pm

It's obvious that McCain knows a great deal about GA. Perhaps he can be the member of Obamas cabinet that deals with GA. I think that would be a good use for him.

Back when McCain was on the special FAA funding commitee, I send him a letter about user fees and he sent back a response.

Basically told me sorry about my luck and if he had anything to do with it, the future had user fees for all in it. He basically believes that the small guy uses the FAA resources for free and the airlines pay it all. No comment was made on the question I asked about where all the tax I pay per gallon of avgas goes.

Or NOT!

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:18 pm

We're Screwed '08!
There really are no choices for president from either party. I'd vote for Alan Keyes if I thought he was electable. No matter who wins, we're screwed. I'm pretty disappointed that neither of the major parties couldn't come up with better candidates.

RVNewsletter · Post by **RVNewsletter** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:21 am

It's kinda funny that a day or so after a post asked how the site can attract more people, a political discussion breaks out.

Ah, never mind.

Post by **Spike** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:46 am

yeah, we are dabbling a bit, but if you notice, its not heated and people are being friendly.