THAT’S DEBATABLE:

GOP presidential hopeful John McCain recently proposed that the federal government spend part of the Wall Street rescue funds to buy failing mortgages from homeowners and mortgage providers and replace them with government-backed fixed-rate mortgages. What do you think of the plan?

McCain applies the label “American Homeownership Resurgence Plan” to his proposal to spend the $840-billion wealth redistribution bill to buy every defaulted mortgage in America and rewrite them. McCain obviously spent more time thinking of a catchy name than formulating a responsible policy.

Unfortunately McCain’s short term political tactic, if accepted, will be a policy plan to bankrupt America’s taxpayers.

The big question I ask all supporters of the bailout bill is, “How are we going to pay for this?”

Neither John Campbell, nor John McCain, nor any other supporter (including the Democratic presidential nominee) answer that question.

I oppose McCain’s proposal, and would and will vote “No” on every bailout proposal until the proposals demonstrate a way to pay for themselves without robbing America’s taxpayers.

Steve Young

Democratic candidate, 48th Congressional District

[Declined to comment]

Rep. John Campbell