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2008 Presidential Candidates on Health Care, War, Taxes and Other Issues
Taxes
McCain - favors repealing federal income tax, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and instituting a national retail sales tax to supplement revenues generated by the IRS.
Obama - proposes 80 billion in tax breaks for elderly and low income workers and a tax credit up to $500 per person. Recommends removing corporate tax breaks and tax filing for older workers making less than $50,000. Does not specify where money will come from to fund these tax breaks.
Health Insurance
McCain - advocates a refundable tax credit of $2500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. Supports allowing Americans to import drugs from Canada and other countries that offer lower cost prescription drugs. Believes in shortening the time period for prescription drugs to become generic. End frivolous medical lawsuits, increase competition between insurance companies by allowing the sale of nationwide rather than statewide insurance. Create access plans by working with states to provide healthcare options to those historically denied coverage. Allow portable coverage provided by certified associations to be purchased by small businesses and the self employed.
Obama - advocates mandatory coverage for children, universal coverage requiring employers to share cost, expand public programs like Medicaid, offer income based subsidies, create public plans for businesses, prevent insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and offer similar coverage to that received by federal employees.
Immigration
McCain - co authored Bill with Senator Kennedy that would provide a clear path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Supports allowing undocumented immigrants to earn legal status and securing the borders of the United States.
Obama - voted in favor of Senator McCain’s Bill.
War in Iraq
McCain - supports troop surge and does not believe in setting a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq.
Obama - proposes combat troops withdraw from Iraq in 16 months. Does not specify time table for withdrawing non combat military personnel.
Social Security Benefits ( SSI )
McCain - wants an independent panel to recommend changes for overhauling the social security system.
Obama - proposes an unspecified adjustment that would allow the government to continue to charge SSI taxes for wages earned over the present cut off point.
Gay Marriage
McCain - against a Constitutional Amendment and believes in letting states regulate this issue.
Obama - wants states to regulate and decide this issue.
2008 Presidential Candidates
Republican Party
John McCain
Political Experience - US Senator for Arizona from 1987 - present, US representative 1983 – 1987.
Education - BS Naval Academy 1958; National War College 1973-1974.
Military Service - Navy Officer, 1958-1981. Prisoner of war ( POW ) for 5.5 years during Viet Nam War. Military decorations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and Purple Heart.
Age - 71
Democratic Party
Barack Obama
Political Experience - Illinois state senator 1997 – 2005; US Senator for Illinois 2005 - present.
Education - BA Columbia University, 1983; Harvard Law School, 1991.
Military Service – None
Age - 46
* A president may desire to initiate many changes but it is our Congress that ultimately decides whether our country goes to war, improves health care, does something about immigration or saves social security. The presidential election gets plenty of media attention but the most important vote you cast may be for your state senator. Democrats and Republicans most work together for the common good of our country rather than engage in politricks. If you are unhappy with the direction of our country and really advocate change please vote in your state congressional elections. *
