A McCain administration, his campaign has said, would make "the eradication of poverty a top priority." His campaign platform states that he would provide a mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration to homeowners facing foreclosure who "can meet the terms of a new 30 year fixed-rate mortgage." He supports assisting homeless veterans with "counseling, independent living training, and residential treatment programs" for mental health and substance abuse issues.
As described in an extract of a USA Today article posted on his website, he believes that "government has a role to play in helping people who through no fault of their own are having a hard time... but government can't create good and lasting jobs," summarizing his view that the best way to combat poverty is by supporting business and economic growth.
McCain, according to his campaign platform, "has a long record of supporting anti-crime legislation" including increasing penalties for repeat felons who commit crimes with a firearm and increasing the fines convicted criminals pay into the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He also supports providing funds for prisoner re-entry programs based on the logic that those programs "could save... hundreds of millions of dollars."
Economic growth is "an imperative" to McCain, which must be supported by "low tax rates on dividends and capital gains," "minimizing expensive mandates" like "health insurance and pro-union initiatives," and lowering the corporate tax rate. He emphasizes globalization as an opportunity for which the next generation of workers must be prepared.
"In a dangerous world, protecting America's national security requires a strong military," McCain's statement on national security begins. The world's threats mean that "America requires a larger and more capable military to protect our country's vital interests."