Graphic by Anna Lee Doughtie, The Daily Campus.
With the presidential election rapidly approaching, this Tuesday, the Daily Campus has compiled a few issues and the candidate’s positions for the undecided voter.
McCain
Education:
– Supports “No Child Left Behind”
– Supports more incentive funding to recruit and train better teachers
– Supports learning with technology and would devote $500 million in federal funds to improve classroom technology
The Economy:
– Supported the $500 billion bailout plan of Wall Street and advocates financial institution reform
– Supports the federal government buying bad home loans from banks and homeowners and replacing it with low rate FHA loans to help Americans stay in their homes.
– Wants to extend tax cuts put in place by the Bush administration-cut taxes for many Americans while trying to streamline federal spending.
Energy:
– Against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but does support offshore drilling.
– Proposes building 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030
• Supports the gas tax holiday
• Proposes making federal funds available through loans to automakers to bring about more fuel efficient and battery powered vehicles
Health Care:
– “Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines, and their policy should follow them from job to job.”
– Proposes reform to the tax code to offer choices beyond employee-based health insurance coverage. Under the plan, every family would receive a direct refundable tax credit for $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families.
– Wants to foster greater competition in the drug markets “through safe re-importation of drugs and faster production of generic drugs.”
Iraq:
– Does not want to set a withdrawal time table
– Supported January 2007 “troop surge” and was one of the earliest proponents of the strategy
– Believes that the United Nations should play a role in supporting provincial governments’ elections in late 2008 and the national government elections in 2009
Obama
Education:
– Thinks “No Child Left Behind” is the right idea but needs to be overhauled
– Wants to provide four year scholarships to universities for teacher training
– Proposes an annual $4,000 tuition credit that will cover two-thirds of the tuition of an average public college and make community college completely free in America. Says he would expand the Pell Grant and lower interest rates on the existing federal student loan programs.
The Economy:
– Would create a $25 billion “Jobs and Growth Fund” to invest in infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, and to save jobs.
– Advocates a $50 billion emergency economic stimulus plan. The money would go toward one million jobs for rebuilding infrastructure and schools, and helping local governments avoid budget cuts
– Wants to cut taxes for the 95 percent of Americans making less than $250,000 a year and raise taxes on those making more than the figure.
Energy:
– Does not support a gas tax holiday
– Skeptical of offshore drilling’s effect on gas prices and does not want to sacrifice the environment.
– Would mandate all new cars be flex-fuel capable and supports advanced technology, including research into new engines and plug-in hybrids. Would provide retooling credits to help domestic manufacturers switch to more fuel-efficient cars
Health Care:
– Would create a national health insurance program for individuals who do not have employer-provided health care and who do not qualify for other existing federal programs. Does not mandate individual coverage for all Americans
– Would allow Americans to purchase medicines from other developed countries if the drugs are safe and prices are lower than outside the United States. Says he would repeal the ban that prevents the U.S. from negotiating with drug companies
– Proposes investing $10 billion a year during the next five years to implement standards-based electronic health information systems, which would include electronic health records.
Iraq:
– Did not support armed conflict in Iraq and wants to withdraw troops immediately and be out within 16 months
– Would commit $2 billion toward an international effort to support the more than 4 million displaced Iraqis.
