Presidential Campaign Torture

Torture is a highly controversial issue in the world today for its barrier in violating moral conduct with others and doing what's right for the greater good in ultimatums. Its enforcement and influence within foreign policy is primarily determined by the executives in position who are in favor or in opposition of the idea. Therefore, the opinions of U.S. presidential candidates are highly crucial in determining America's future as an honorable nation when considering the effectiveness of torture in interrogation.

A few candidates in America's presidential campaign have expressed their positive opinions on the idea and discussed how effective the practice truly is, although many have disagreed or completely refrained from giving their definite views on the issue. When asked about a form of torture known as waterboarding, Donald Trump stated, "I have no doubt that it does work in terms of information and other things,” thus expressing his acceptance to the practice. Following up to that statement he added, “I would bring back waterboarding, and I would bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding,” to emphasize the severity of the consequences he believes one should receive for terrorism. However, a few other candidates, like former war prisoner, John Mccain opposed the idea entirely.

When asked about waterboarding John Mccain stated that "These forms of torture not only failed their purpose to secure actionable intelligence to prevent further attacks on the United States and our allies, but compromised our values, stained our national honor and did little practical good." In compromise to Mccain's perspective, I believe that torture, known as “enhanced interrogation” by most politicans, is the primary factor in lowering our nation's honor and respected image, while gaining little to no positive outcome in the process. Using tactics such as these have been proven to have minimal effects through studies of CIA interrogation and have more importantly violated the values and laws America has established for its self. America should be protecting people from cruel and unusual punishment based on the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution, yet torture is still being implemented and supported by presidential candidates. Essentially, our decision will determine the changes in the end that are necessary to ensure our safety and well being. We must choose wisely.

"GOP Presidential Candidates Bring Torture Back Into The Spotlight." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016. <http://www.npr.org/2016/02/09/466186345/gop-presidential-candidates-bring-torture-back-into-the-spotlight>.

"McCain Slams GOP Candidates for ‘loose Talk’ on Torture." Tales from the Trail RSS. N.p., 08 Feb. 2016. Web. 12 Mar. 2016. <http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2016/02/08/mccain-slams-gop-candidates-for-loose-talk-on-torture/>.