NEW START treaty....

[Guest]

Looking for some discussion AND HELP on this treaty and its pending vote.

On the surface,to me, it would seem a no-brainer to support the President on this issue as it will help with Iran, N Korea, etc.

On the other hand, the WH has refused to give up information on the negotiations and the perception that the treaty would restrict the US exists but the WH will not allow anyone to see how or what is involved.

Why are we going back to the vote on it now and learn later what is in it ? Is that the CHANGE we voted for in 2008 ?

On the other hand, can we allow this treaty not to pass ? Why is it that it has to be voted on by this lame duck session ?

I am continuing to read on it but if anyone has been following closely and has more input or opinion, step up please !

[Guest]

Looking for some discussion AND HELP on this treaty and its pending vote.

On the surface,to me, it would seem a no-brainer to support the President on this issue as it will help with Iran, N Korea, etc.

On the other hand, the WH has refused to give up information on the negotiations and the perception that the treaty would restrict the US exists but the WH will not allow anyone to see how or what is involved.

Why are we going back to the vote on it now and learn later what is in it ? Is that the CHANGE we voted for in 2008 ?

On the other hand, can we allow this treaty not to pass ? Why is it that it has to be voted on by this lame duck session ?

I am continuing to read on it but if anyone has been following closely and has more input or opinion, step up please !

In plain language, do you trust our president with negotiating a SALT treaty at this time? Let it be examined. Don't try to rush it through or jam it down our throats like everything else.

Yoda

[Guest]

In plain language, do you trust our president with negotiating a SALT treaty at this time? Let it be examined. Don't try to rush it through or jam it down our throats like everything else.

Yoda

My only concern is the potential loss of the monitoring program. You know what Regan used to say.......

[Guest]

Obama is looking for a positive reaction from Medvedev and Putin.
He is trying to shine his star in the international arena....not do what is right in the process.
Proven by every piece of legislation he rams through the process.

His report card card is his priority. Nothing else.

btk

[Guest]

Note to Congress.

Never never never sign anything this administration asks unless you have read it twice and understand it. And then, it may be better for America if you just wait until after 2012.

Yoda

[Guest]

I "think" I could support the President BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ, but..I am getting very concerned about the constant trend toward putting everyone under pressure, the not reading and the "trust me" attitude of this WH. They campaigned on a platform of being just the opposite.

[Guest]

I would ask two things at this point and if anyone has the answers, please give me a link or something...

The President signed this in April. Where has it been all this time..in committee ? I ask because the focus this summer was health care.

Secondly, what are the drawbacks in waiting until after the new congress is installed to ratify this pact ?

[Guest]

Bucco, I saw your post and have been trying to get some information about the START and background on the delay in signing.

One of my favorite sources when it comes to educating myself on political issues is the Heritage Foundation website. And yes it is a conservative think tank, but IMHO, it is one of the best places to get reliable information and a good beginning to educating yourself.

Anyway, I am going to link a page and you can go through it yourself and read what you want. Look at the dates and you can go back to April and read various commentary that may help you.

I am also going to link some of the articles from the list that I read and thought were helpful.

Also, BTW, it has been in committee. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the new START arms-control treaty with Russia in September by a 14-4, with three Republicans siding with Democrats. John Kerry is the chair of the committee.

"The Constitution gives the Senate the power to consider treaties negotiated by the president. Approval takes two-thirds of the 100-member Senate, or 67 votes, and the Senate has the power to amend the language. The process is cumbersome by design, and intended to give pacts with foreign nations bipartisan support at home."



List of all Heritage articles on START: Click on "Read more" at the end of the brief description of the article to read the full story. Also, at the bottom of the page, click "Next" to see the next page of stories to search through.

http://www.heritage.org/Search.aspx?query=%22New+START%22&section=|&index=1&page=1&sort=score



Individual Heritage articles I liked:

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Commentary/2010/05/New-START-negotiations-Show-us-the-records


http://blog.heritage.org/2010/10/20/new-start%e2%80%99s-inflated-promises/


http://blog.heritage.org/2010/11/19/obama%e2%80%99s-new-start-would-have-been-reagan-non-starter/


http://www.heritage.org/Research/Commentary/2010/06/Obamas-Odd-Arms-Control-Secrecy