Does John McCain read Delaware Libertarian?

Probably not, since I said I'd never vote for him based on his refusal to reject preemptive war.

On the other hand, McCain's new health care initiative features a tax credit idea he must have stolen from me:

While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will also have the option of receiving a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.

Here's part of what I proposed back on January 6 (too bad he didn't read all of it):

1. Make all premium payments and out-of-pocket medical expenses 100% tax deductible for everyone not otherwise covered below. (Somebody explain to me, please, why this isn't already the case if we're so worried about people's health care being financially ruinous.)

2. For all individuals/families under 400% of the Federal Poverty Level who are not covered by Medicaid and/or SCHIP, provide a $5000/person tax exemption for medical expenses OR a 100% tax credit for premium payments and out-of-pocket medical expenses to those who itemize their taxes. Phase this exemption/credit out in graduated steps between $80,000-180,000 annual income, with such families then falling under item 1.

A. In the event that an individual/family does not possess a tax liability that reaches $5000/person, provide the employer with a tax credit for up to that amount of Federal payroll taxes and require that this amount then be paid to the employee in the form of a "tax-free health care payroll tax rebate."

3. Allow each individual a one-time "catastrophic" health care tax credit of an additional $10,000/year for a five-year period; should the individual (or guardian) not be making sufficient income to receive the full benefit of this credit, issue a rebate through the employer of ALL Federally mandated payroll deductions until the $50,000 ceiling has been reached. There should also be a provision that allows such an individual/family to file to have all Federal withholding stopped immediately until the ceiling has been reached.

4. Allow Federal Emergency Medical Loans against the catastrophic benefit listed in item 3, with the benefit serving as security.

I'm still not voting for him.