Rubio’s Out-Dated Brand of “Conservatism” Not Useful in 2016
On Monday, Marco Rubio announced his 2016 presidential campaign, joining Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Hillary Clinton in their aspirations for the Oval Office. Since being elected to the Senate in 2010, Rubio has long been considered an up-and-comer in the Republican Party. However, he has in many ways betrayed the “small government” principles which he continually espouses. Rubio hasn’t been in politics long, but he has shown his true colors enough to know that he should be nowhere near the Presidency. Here are the top 7 reasons why Marco Rubio should never be elected President.
1. He’s a neo-conservative interventionist.
In a speech to the Brookings Institution in 2012, Rubio stated that he is in favor of a robust foreign policy, arguing for intervention in Syria and also concluding that eventual involvement in Iran may be necessary. In answering his own devil’s advocate question about whether the US should “mind its own business,” Rubio stated that “what happens all over the world is our business.” He also voted in favor of funding and supplying weapons to the Syrian rebels in 2013. During a 2010 Senate debate, Rubio claimed that the Iraq War made America and the world both safer and better off.
2. He is staunchly in favor of the War on Drugs.
In 2014, Rubio stated in a Washington Times op-ed that criminal justice reform should not occur “with careless weakening of drug laws that have done so much to help end the violence and mayhem that plagued American cities in prior decades.” It is completely unclear as to what successes Rubio is referring to, as most, both liberal and conservative, are coming to the conclusion that the drug war has been an utter failure. When asked if he had ever used marijuana, Rubio not-so-sneakily dodged the question, suggesting that he likely has. This possible detail only worsens his stance, as it makes him a total hypocrite.
3. He is an opponent of Due Process rights.
In his 2006 book 100 Innovative Ideas, Rubio states that “endless appeals by convicted felons” are more of a nuisance and hindrance to justice than a necessity. He thereby proposes that the process be “streamlined” by giving less time to appeal sentences. Much like his opposition to reform of the War on Drugs, Rubio insists that the Obama Administration and Department of Justice continue to enforce all federal criminal laws, even if there are some reservations as to the viability of some regulations.
4. He is against civil liberties and in favor of the surveillance state.
In January of this year, Rubio expressed an intention to permanently extend mass surveillance through the NSA. In 2014, Rubio stated that, “We cannot unilaterally disarm in terms of our intelligence-gathering capabilities,” and that, “There is no evidence that these programs have been systematically abused.” He also voted for the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which many groups have concluded would grant permission for indefinite detention of Americans on American soil. In explaining his vote, Rubio states that the bill’s main purpose is to “affirm the authority of the executive branch to act within our national interest and they provide the federal government with the tools that are needed to maintain our national security.”
5. He wants government to closely monitor your personal life.
In regards to gambling, Rubio became hostile toward the practice after growing up in Las Vegas. As Speaker of the Florida House in 2008, he was “adamantly opposed to any expansion of gambling in Florida.” In 2012, he stated that he is “not a big fan of expanding gaming on the Internet, especially for revenue purposes.” In regards to prostitution, Rubio states in his 2006 book that renting or operating a space for such services should be raised from a misdemeanor to a felony, and exhibits a desire to target adult entertainment establishments and websites. He also states that such businesses should be subjected to civil asset forfeiture.
6. He is a crony capitalist, and at times untrue to his convictions.
In 2004, Rubio adamantly supported a $60 million subsidy for a new baseball park for the Miami (then-Florida) Marlins. In 2013, he accepted a $10,000 federal subsidy after enrolling in one of the health care plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, stating that, “It’s an [employer] contribution . . . available to every employee of the federal government.” Rubio said that he will vote to change the law, but that until that happens, he will keep the subsidy.
7. He is against free markets, wishing to continue the failed Cuban embargo.
As one of very few Cuban-Americans in Congress, Rubio is quite unique. However, in late 2014 and early 2015, as President Obama expressed a desire to end this Cold War policy, Rubio took the side of fear-mongering and isolationism over that of hope and free trade. Despite hundreds of years of history showing that free exchange of ideas and goods has liberated the poorest in unfortunate countries, Rubio chooses instead to cling to past notions of what is necessary.