This essay will compare the views of former Vice-President Dick Cheney and Vice-President Joe Biden on several important issues that affect America. The issues that will be tackled are the war on terrorism, foreign policy and domestic policy.
Views on how to pursue suspected terrorists
For Vice-President Cheney, he believes that suspected terrorists should be subjected to harsh interrogations, like water boarding and warrantless electronic surveillance because these are essential moves to prevent more attacks such as the 9/11 attack. Vice President Cheney thinks that the problem of terrorism should not be treated as if it is a law enforcement problem because it is actually a military problem . He disagrees with having to read the Miranda rights on terrorists, as if treating them like Americans . Vice-President Cheney is convinced that putting pressure on suspected terrorists through interrogations which others view as torture, is morally and ethically correct because America should be defended against all enemies. He consented to the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On the contrary, Vice-President Biden’s view on suspected terrorists is that they should not be subjected to torture or surveillance because it goes against the values and interests of Americans. He however suggested that more FBI and police agents should be hired. He agrees with technological solutions such as radiological scanners for airports and ports and unmanned aerial vehicles for the military. Vice President Biden proposes an increase in funding to further strengthen the intelligence operations of the military to prevent attacks on the US.
Views on foreign policy
Vice-President Cheney believes that in the case of North Korea, the US should have diplomacy and should stand with its allies. He also thinks that there should be a reform in the Palestenian system whereby both Israel and Palestine will exist. Vice President Cheney agrees with the Obama drone policy which allows for the dispatch of unmanned aircraft to drop bombs on terrorist subjects hiding in foreign countries.
Vice-President Biden is known to have voted in favor of the Iraq War but later on appealed to Congress to repeal the authorization to use force in Iraq because he claims that the Bush Administration misrepresented the case for war. Vice-President Biden called on Nato to put an end to the the genocide in Darfur and he strongly advocates that the US should have a firm stand on global climate change. With regards to Russia, Vice-President Biden believes that both the US and Russia may disagree but they can still work together because their interests are similar in several areas.Views on domestic policy
Vice-President Cheney’s domestic policy includes a reduction of tax on dividends, a cut on the capital gains tax and an acceleration of income tax breaks for top earners because he believes that when tax cuts are implemented, the economy will grow. He advocates investments in defense because he is convinced that peace and security encourages investors. He does not agree that the defense budget should be cut.
On domestic policy, Vice-President Biden believes in an increase in debt ceiling and a creation of a bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility. He suggests that fundamental reforms should be introduced in the banking system. Vice-President Biden recommends that the economic plan should focus on the middle class .
Why Cheney elevated the powers of the office of the VP after 9/11 and how it helped facilitate the war on terror
Vice-President Cheney is considered as one of the most influential US vice presidents particularly because of his role on the war on terrorism. He was instrumental in “expanding presidential war powers to pushing an aggressive “war on terror” that included overturning unfriendly Mideast regimes and indefinitely detaining terrorism suspects without charge”. He strongly advocated the ousting of Saddam Hussein from power. Vice-President Cheney’s job during the Bush Administration included providing advice to the President especially with regards to the war on terror. He was instrumental in pushing the war in Iraq. He wanted to become a vice-president who will have an active role in the decision-making process in the White House, which President Bush permitted.
After comparing the varying views of both Vice-Presidents Cheney and Biden, one favors Vice-President Cheney. One can say that Vice-President Cheney’s views on terrorism is very appropriate considering the increasing threat of terrorism in the country and worldwide. An iron hand is needed to lessen or totally eliminate this problem and that is what Vice-President Cheney advocates. The government cannot afford to be lax and forgiving against the terrorists because the welfare of the Americans are at stake. Vice-President Cheney’s policies in the foreign and domestic fronts are also suitable to the current state of the US economy. Drastic changes have to be done in the foreign and economic policies of the US and Vice-President Biden’s policies and suggested reforms are just not enough to keep the economy moving.
Works Cited
Becker, Jo and Barton Gellman. "A strong push from backstage." 26 June 2007 . blog.washingtonpost.com. Web. 18 February 2013
Edition.cnn.com. "Cheney says Obama's policies 'raise the risk' of U.S. terror attack." 15 March 2009. edition.cnn.com. Web. 18 February 2013
Notable-quotes.com. "Joe Biden quotes." n.d. notable-quotes.com. Web. 18 February 2013
Ontheissues.org. "Dick Cheney on foreign policy." 13 January 2013. ontheissues.org. Web. 18 February 2013
—. "Joe Biden on budget & economy." 22 October 2012. ontheissues.org. Web.18 February 2013
—. "Joe Biden on foreign policy." 22 October 2012. ontheissues.org. Web. 18 February 2013
Porter, Keith. "Senator Joe Biden and U.S. foreign policy." 2013. usforeignpolicy.about.com. Web. 18 February 2013
Right Web. "Richard Cheney." 10 December 2012. rightweb.irc-online.org. Web. 18 February 2012
Trotter, J.K. "Dick Cheney likes Obama's drone policy." 12 February 2013. news.yahoo.com. Web. 18 February 2013
Ward, Jon. "Exclusive: Cheney defends war on terror’s morality." 18 December 2008. washingtontimes.com. Web. 18 February 2013
Zalman, Amy. "Joe Biden on terrorism, the Iraq war and homeland security." 2013. terrorism.about.com. Web. 18 February 2013
