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A look at Tierney's record

Robert Kelly
Published: August 6, 2008

It appears Massachusetts' Sixth Congressional District, which had been solidly Republican for decades, has morphed into a Democratic stronghold. Despite this, Republican opposition has again appeared in the form of Richard Baker, a businessman/scientist from West Newbury. The question posed in this column is: What sort of an incumbent does Baker face in John Tierney? (Next week: A closer look at Baker.)

Here is an overview of the incumbent as seen by outside organizations. The National Taxpayers Union says Tierney is 83 percent liberal, a rating supported by the overwhelming endorsement he gets from the well-known activist organizations for liberal causes — feminists, gays, affirmative action enthusiasts, anti-war groups, unions and others.

Foreign policy, the war/homeland security/immigration, federal budget/debt, energy, the economy/taxes, and hypersensitive social issues, are arguably the most important problems facing the nation and its politicians today.

A few words about Tierney's position on such matters follow.

Foreign policy: Tierney generally opposes dealing with China; he generally resists attempts to reform or penalize the UN. He approves the reduction of Third-World debt. He usually votes against free trade agreements.

War/homeland security/immigration: On his Web page, Tierney's focus — during a war — is limited to care for veterans, communication systems used by first responders and the implementation of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission in regard to homeland security.

His voting record is more revealing. In 2007 he wanted to pull troops out of Iraq; he disapproved of the invasion of Iraq but approved the invasion of Kosovo (1999). He opposes the Patriot Act and its surveillance provisions; he opposes special drivers' licenses designed to hinder terrorists; he opposes military recruitment on college campuses; he opposes guns for commercial pilots. He approves amnesty for illegals (gradual citizenship).

Federal budget/debt: On his Web site, Tierney proposes a return to the system that produced budget surpluses under Clinton (Chop defense; inflate taxes). He wants to increase the taxes on corporations and the rich. He opposes the privatization of Social Security; he favors the 1980s approach to strengthening the system (i.e. increased taxes). He favors universal health care and wants the government to negotiate drug prices for Medicare drugs. Tierney makes no mention of the desperate need for reform of the budget process.

Tierney wants to strengthen the Social Security lockbox (it doesn't exist). He approves the importation of drugs; he voted against tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. He believes health care is a right; opposes small business associations buying drugs; he disapproves of attempts to cap lawsuit damages.

Energy: Tierney encourages conservation and investment in alternative sources (no specifics). He wants to take money from oil companies and reinvest it in clean energy. He wants to mandate CO2 emission reductions at utility plants. He wants more math and science teachers and he wants to increase fuel economy standards. He supports programs based on the assumption that fossil fuels must go.

The economy/taxes: Tierney voted against tax simplification, an increase in the child credit, the elimination of the marriage penalty, making existing tax cuts permanent, the elimination of the death tax and other attempts at tax reform. He favors increases to the minimum wage; he wants to re-establish the air traffic controller's union that went on strike under Reagan. The AFL-CIO gives Tierney a 100-percent mark.

Social issues: The moral/ethical dilemma of the age is abortion and its first cousin, embryonic cell research. Tierney's Web page indicates he is consistently pro-abortion and a defender of embryonic cell research, even when it involves human cloning for research.

His voting record is consistent with his Web page. NARAL (pro-choice) gives him a 100-percent grade.

Vote for Tierney and you know what you're getting.

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Robert Kelly of Peabody writes a weekly column for The Salem News. Contact him at robert.kelly5@verizon.net