The LWVUS will be issuing a position breakdown soon, however in the
meantime, we are offering this analysis from the Wall Street Journal
to help voters understand the POLICY differences between the candidates.
Understand that their platforms will evolve as the campaign advances.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal DATE: JUNE 6, 2008
Two capable and worthy politicians will be vying for the presidency
in November. On June 6, The Wall Street Journal reported on the various
positions of these men. Here, a look at some of the important policy
battlefronts ahead in Campaign 2008.
Taxes
Sen. McCain opposed President Bush's tax cut, but now says ending
them would mean a tax increase. He would make other tax cuts that mostly
apply to corporations and upper-income families. They could cost more
than $500 billion a year. He hopes to cut government spending to pay
some of the tab.
Sen Obama aims to "restore fairness" to the tax code,
meaning low and middle income taxpayers would pay less while upper-income
families would pay more. He'd offset tax-cut costs of $85 billion by
raising the capital gains tax and closing corporate loopholes.
Education
Sen McCain would raise standards for Head Start teachers. He
is supportive of the No Child Left Behind program and would increase
school choice by allowing families to pull their tax dollars from
public schools and use it as tuition at charter or private schools.
On higher education, he has no student-aid plans. He supports more federal
funding for university research in targeted areas.
Sen. Obama would spend $10 billion to boost preschool programs
for poor kids, especially Early Head start. He supports incentives for
school districts to attract and keep good teachers, giving merit pay
to the best of them. He would overhaul No Child Left Behind to better
measure school progress. For college he foresees a tuition tax credit
of up to $4,000 for students who agree to give 100 hours of community
service, with that credit phasing out at household incomes over $135,000.
This would cost $10 billion a year.
More information on education.
Iraq
Sen McCain would retain a large force until victory is achieved.
He envisions this exit by January 2013, but doesn't promise it. He says
U.S. troops could remain for 100 years or longer as long as the nation
is stable and peaceful.
Sen Obama would start immediate withdrawal, removing one to
two brigades per month until all combat forces are home in summer 2010,
while retaining a "residual force" to protect the U.S. Embassy
and strike al Qaeda bases.
Energy
The two men agree that urgent action is needed to address climate
change and the nation's dependance on foreign oil.
Sen McCain sees a 60% Carbon Emissions reduction by 2050. He
strongly supports incentives for nuclear power. He supports the one-time
suspension of the gas-tax, calling it a "little break" for
drivers.
Sen Obama wants an 80% reduction of carbon emissions by 2050
and supports subsidies for solar and wind energy. Nuclear power will
be addressed only if storage and safety issues are resolved. He opposes
suspending the 18.4% federal tax for this summer, calling it a political
gimmick.
Health Care
McCain sees a new tax credit subsidizing all insurance. Insurance
companies could sell across state lines, increasing competition. Subsidies
help lower-income patients with preexisting medical conditions obtain
insurance. Preliminary campaign estimate is $7 to $10 billion.
Obama see government setting up a marketplace for health insurance
plans, allowing choice among private plans or a new government-run option
like Medicare. Subsidies defray insurance costs for lower-income households
and help pay to insure the most expensive patients. Parents would be
required to insure their children and large employers required to offer
insurance or pay into a fund. Costs about $110 billion, say Obama campaign.
Social Issues
Both men support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
McCain opposes abortion rights and supports abstinence-only
sex education. He also opposes same sex marriage and civil unions. As
concerns gun rights, he opposes many restrictions on gun ownership.
Obama supports abortion rights and comprehensive sex education.
Though he personally opposes gay marriage, he would leave it up to the
states to decide to license them, and supports civil unions. Supports
gun laws, including background checks and enhanced record-keeping.
