Super Tuesday is behind us, now we will move on to more primaries and eventually the general election in November. Yesterday The Oregonian did a nice summary of where the candidates stand on certain issues. I thought it would be a great idea to restate some of that article in today's post. I do think The Oregonian missed out on a couple of important issues: 1. The decline of the value of dollar. When in your lifetime has the Canadian dollar been worth more than the American Dollar? Well, it is now folks. 2. The reduction in the budget for the care of the elderly. I am going to give you all an assignment. Visit the closest nursing home in your area and make that visit at night. Then tell me we are treating our seniors with dignity and respect. Due to federal cuts most states only require that nursing homes have one nurse for twenty-five patients at night. That poor nurse and those poor patients. Think that is adequate care? Think that is fair to the nurse? 3. The national debt. The interest on the national debt alone would cover the entire defense budget, the social security budget, and give health care to anyone in the U.S. Just the interest on the debt.
The issues The Oregonian did cover:
ABORTION
Clinton - Supports the woman's right to choose.
Obama - Same as Clinton.
Huckabee - Favors banning abortion.
McCain - Overturn Roe vs. Wade
Romney - Opposes abortion rights but would leave it up to the states. Previously supported abortion rights.
EDUCATION
Clinton - $10 billion for universal preschool. Originally supported No Child Left Behind now would replace it. Proposes $10,000 higher-education scholarships for those who engage in national service for full time for one year.
Obama - $18 billion for preschool, higher teacher pay, $4,000 college tax credit for community service. Supports teacher monitoring programs.
Huckabee - Give the control of education to the states.
McCain - Urges vouchers for school choice and community college aid.
Romney - Supports both better pay for teachers and No Child Left Behind.
TAXES
Clinton - Raise income taxes on those making more than $250,000 and keep the estate tax for those with estates of over three million.
Obama - Raise income taxes on the wealthiest and tax capital gains and dividends at higher rates than they are now. Would raise corporate taxes.
Proposes 80 billion in tax breaks mainly for the elderly and the poor workers.
Huckabee - Replaces the current income tax system with a national sales tax.
McCain - Twice opposed Bush tax cuts now would make them permanent.
Romney - Tax breaks for those making less than $200,000, would eliminate capital gains tax and tax on interest and dividends. Would cut the top corporate tax to 20% from 46%.
WAR IN IRAQ
Clinton - Originally supported the war will not commit to a time table for withdrawal. Opposed troop increase.
Obama - Wants combat troops home within 16 months. Opposed troop increase.
Huckabee - Faults President Bush for not sending enough troops at the start of the war, supported troop increase.
McCain - Early critic of how the war was fought, supported troop increase, opposes time table for withdrawal.
Romney - Supported both troop increase and the prosecution of the war.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Clinton - Noncommittal on raising the cap on the wages social security is taxed at. Proposes a federal match of $1,000 to help set up 401-K plans.
Obama - Would raise the cap on the wages social securty is taxed at.
Huckabee - Higher benefits for those that wait until 70 to take benefits.
McCain - Would consider almost anything to save social security.
Romney - Raising taxes is the wrong way to go.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Clinton - Proposes 110 billion a year for mandatory universal coverage. Raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for it.
Obama - Plan calls only for universal coverage of children. Would raise taxes on wealthy.
Huckabee - Favors market solution and state innovation.
McCain - $2,500 tax credit per taxpayer to help pay for health insurance.
Romney - Proposes to give states incentives to expand affordable coverage. As governor, signed law aimed at ensuring universal coverage.
Now that you know where the candidates stand, did you vote for the right one based on your beliefs?
May this be a rewarding and wonderful day for all of you.
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7 comments:
I still feel comfortable - I voted for John Edwards (early voting in TN). Oh, well. I will enthusiastically support either Clinton or Obama. Reading Huckabee's positions absolutely horrifies me. I do hope he has no chance in hell of being elected.
Yes, I did vote for the right one. I think. I could also enthusiastically support either Clinton or Obama, and I pretty much knew everything in your post, except that Obama wants to tax capital gains and dividends at a higher rate. That's not good for those of us who've saved for our retirement and hope to make good interest/dividends on our investments. I saw in the paper this morning that CD returns are down into the 3% area again, and that bodes no good for us savers, either.
Hi Bill - I am curious as to what you think about the tax policies of these candidates since you are an accountant. I find it very hard to get behind a candidate that wants to tax us to prosperity. I don't believe it can be done.
Have a great day!!
Mary Z
I would vote for John Edwads too but we don't get to vote until May 20th so I am going back and forth right now.
Huckabee scares me and whom McCain would appoint to the supreme court also scares me.
I think we need a change of direction because of where the country is at right now so I also could vote for either Obama or Clinton.
Not only CD's are down but Mutual Funds have taken a dive the last three months too.
Kim
I don't believe it is a matter of taxing to prosperity I believe it is a matter of saving the country.
Because I am an accountant I believe in a balanced budget. It was absolutely insane to cut taxes in a time of war. First time in history that that was done. That resulted in a huge deficit that also has resulted in inflation and now the beginning of a recession.
Also there is no such thing as trickle down. That is a pipe dream. All the trickle down theory does is results in the destruction of the middle class. The last eigth years have resulted in the biggest division between rich and poor in history.
I think we have no choice but all to cut back a little, be willing to pay a little more taxes (not for the long run but for the short run) until we can get the deficit and the national debt under control. Then once the budget is under control we can go back to tax cuts but not ones skewed to the high income earners but one that is across the board where everyone benefits.
I don't believe you can tax to prosperity but I beleive to balance a budget you have two choices, one is to increase your income, the other is to reduce your spending. Right now I am willing to do a combination of both for the betterment of our future.
Hi Bill -
Thanks for your perspective. I still think they should cut spending before they tax us more. Congress is famous for not keeping their word. Take care.
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