McCain has much experience in politics and many believe he would be a very effective president. McCain is currently a member of the senate committee on armed services, commerce, science and transportation. This shows not only that McCain cares about the world today but also that he has experience in the many issues of the world. He served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years and gained the rank of captain. During his time in the service he was captured beaten and tortured. The fact that McCain has served would give him a different perspective in the White House than a man who has not served and would insure he has certain qualities only obtainable by being in the service. McCain is a well equipped candidate for the presidential election.
McCain is not you’re run of the mill republican that is easily manipulated. McCain goes against his party on many key issues. This shows that McCain stands strong to his beliefs and will not falter. McCain helped restore diplomatic relations with Vietnam in the 1990’s. This further shows McCain’s qualifications in foreign policy. McCain is qualified in many ways to be president but will America choose him?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Obama
Some insist Obama will not be able to handle the problems in the White House. When Obama was attending the esteemed Punahou Academy he faced many problems related to being multiracial and yet he still went on to graduate with honors in 1979. This proves Obama has the ability to deal with problems and overcome them. Obama attended Harvard Law school in 1988 and graduated in 1991. He then went on to practice as a civil rights lawyer. This shows not only his educational abilities but also his experience with the law. Evidence shows Obama is capable of handling most problems that might be thrown at him in he White House.
Obama has much experience in political issues. Obama served in the Illinois state senate as a democrat for many years and has dealt with many issues. This is the experience a presidential candidate needs if he or she intends to run our nation properly. Obama’s experience as a lawyer will also help him in the White House because he already knows how to convince people of his point in an orderly way. Obama may have what it takes to be president but will he have a chance to prove it?
Obama has much experience in political issues. Obama served in the Illinois state senate as a democrat for many years and has dealt with many issues. This is the experience a presidential candidate needs if he or she intends to run our nation properly. Obama’s experience as a lawyer will also help him in the White House because he already knows how to convince people of his point in an orderly way. Obama may have what it takes to be president but will he have a chance to prove it?
Palin
Palin is McCain’s running mate and many believe she has enough experience to be vice president. Palin was on the Wasilla, Alaska city council from 1992 to 1996. This alone some people believe is enough political experience. Palin is currently serving as Alaska’s Governor. This further adds to her political experience. Palin’s many years serving in Alaska have introduced her to politics and she has become a quite skilled politician.
Some people argue that Palin’s has no bearing on the issues in the world. Palin joined the Alaskan Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003 however she resigned one year later protesting what she called the “lack of ethics” of her fellow republicans. This proves that Palin does at least care about current issues and that she does not take lightly political corruption. After Palin had dealt with the corrupt members she served in a group dedicated to providing political training to republican women in Alaska. This is an example of her caring for others and her ability as a politician. Palin is a strong politician and an even stronger running mate but will it be enough?
Some people argue that Palin’s has no bearing on the issues in the world. Palin joined the Alaskan Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003 however she resigned one year later protesting what she called the “lack of ethics” of her fellow republicans. This proves that Palin does at least care about current issues and that she does not take lightly political corruption. After Palin had dealt with the corrupt members she served in a group dedicated to providing political training to republican women in Alaska. This is an example of her caring for others and her ability as a politician. Palin is a strong politician and an even stronger running mate but will it be enough?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Biden
Biden has much experience in not only politics but also in foreign relations. Biden was elected to senate in 1973 and continued to be reelected in 1978, 1984, 1996 and in 2002. This shows Biden’s extensive experience in politics. Biden is also along time chairman of the foreign relations committee and has worked on the resolutions in the Yugoslav and Iraq war. This further proves his abilities in foreign relations. Biden has enough experience to go around and yet still some people question it.
Biden has many qualifications that will help him be an effective vice president. Biden is a long time member of the U.S. Senate Committee and has dealt with thing such as crime prevention, drug policy and civil liberties. This shows he is an effective member of council and can deal with many issues. Biden has been involved in making many federal laws over the last ten years including the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994. This shows his ability to identify important laws which is an ability that will help him if he wire to become vice president. Biden has the capability but will he be a good vice president? America you decide.
Biden has many qualifications that will help him be an effective vice president. Biden is a long time member of the U.S. Senate Committee and has dealt with thing such as crime prevention, drug policy and civil liberties. This shows he is an effective member of council and can deal with many issues. Biden has been involved in making many federal laws over the last ten years including the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994. This shows his ability to identify important laws which is an ability that will help him if he wire to become vice president. Biden has the capability but will he be a good vice president? America you decide.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Candidates Personal Mission Statements
McCain and Palin: "Improvement" It's not all wrong...well quite a bit. I believe the government is O.K. but it could be better. We need change but only a little. We need improvement of our existing policies and improvement of the people in office. Everything can be salvaged. Can we fix it??? Yes we can!!!...........................I hope
Obama and Biden: "It's all Wrong" Everything is bad. We need to start over and this time lets do better. We've messed up big time and it's beyond repair. Lets start with a clean slate. Let the records burn and new life rise from their ashes. Can we fix it???? No lets start over!!!!!
Obama and Biden: "It's all Wrong" Everything is bad. We need to start over and this time lets do better. We've messed up big time and it's beyond repair. Lets start with a clean slate. Let the records burn and new life rise from their ashes. Can we fix it???? No lets start over!!!!!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
7 Key Issues
Abortion
Obama: Obama has both agreed with abortion in the past and disagreed with it. He failed to support a bill prohibiting funds to groups that perform abortions. Obama disagreed with Supreme Court ruling to uphold the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act." Obama disagrees with any amendment to overturn the ruling in Roe vs. Wade. He simply doesn’t believe one way or another instead he has a unique view. This unique view makes his various speeches seem to oppose his previous votes.
Biden: Agrees with Obama in the fact that he is for the decision made in Roe vs. wade. He is for the ban on partial-birth abortion and opposes public funding for abortion.
Click here to watch Obama speak about abortion
McCain: He against abortion and believes all human life should be valued. McCain Voted for the Prohibit Partial Birth Abortion bill in 2003 and supports his decision strongly. He voted to prohibit funding to groups who perform abortions and supports Supreme Court ruling upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. McCain believes that the ruling in Roe vs. Wade is a bad decision that must be overturned.
Palin: Palin’s view is very much like McCain’s. Palin is against abortion in all cases including rape and incest, except when a mother's life is in danger. She stated that she believes that the case of Roe v. Wade should be overturned and the decision given to the states.
Click here to watch McCain speak abortion
Education
Obama: He values education highly and wants more high-quality early childhood education programs. He also wants more child care opportunities and the recruiting of well qualified teachers. Obama wants to reduce the high school dropout rate and empower parents to raise healthy and successful children by taking a greater role in their child's education at home and at school. He believes that the no child left behind law “has the right goal but the law has significant flaws that need to be addressed.” Obama proposes investing $10 billion a year to increase the number of children eligible for Early Head Start, increase access to preschool, provide affordable and quality child care and increase coordination across federal, state and local levels. He also proposes more scholarships for students planning to attend four years college.
Biden: He agrees completely with Obama. This is ironic in that when he attended college he failed to value education and made only mediocre grades.
Click here to watch Obama speak about education
McCain: McCain has stated that “We need to reward good teachers and find bad teachers another line of work”. He believes that “we need more charter schools” and that “we need vouchers where it's approved by the local, state school boards.” McCain fully supports the leave no child behind law and he wishes to put 5% of title II funding toward the development of teachers. McCain also wants to improve virtual schools by reforming the "Enhancing Education Through Technology Program."
Palin: Palin said during the vice presidential debate on October 2 “Education in America has been in some sense in some of our states just accepted to be a little bit lax, and we have got to increase the standards. No Child Left Behind was implemented. It's not doing the job though. We need flexibility in No Child Left Behind." That statement pretty much sums up her view on educational standards.
Click her to watch McCain speak about education
Death Penalty
Obama: Obama believes the death penalty is used too inconsistently and too much. He does however, support it but only for cases in which "the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage." He also stated that "While the evidence tells me that the death penalty does little to deter crime, I believe there are some crimes so heinous that the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage by meting out the ultimate punishment. On the other hand, the way capital cases were tried in Illinois at the time was so rife with error, questionable police tactics, racial bias, and shoddy lawyering, that 13 death row inmates had been exonerated."
Biden: He supports Obama in that he believes the death penalty should be used. However he also passed laws reducing the limits of the death penalties which is the exact opposite of what Obama wants.
McCain: McCain has indicated many times that he supports the death penalty. He has voted to restrict the death penalty while still keeping it in affective usage. He also states that he believes that the death penalty is an affective deterrent of crime because it restores are natural fear of the loss of our life.
Palin: Palin is a big supporter of capital punishment. She recently stated "If the legislature passed a death penalty law, I would sign it. We have a right to know that someone who rapes and murders a child or kills an innocent person in a drive-by shooting will never be able to do that again."
Environment
Obama: Obama plans implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists. Obama would make the United States a leader in the global effort to combat climate change. Obama would limit carbon emissions. He would create a Technology Transfer program within the Department of Energy dedicated to sharing climate-friendly technologies to developing or “third world countries”. Obama would also reward, forest owners and farmers and ranchers when they plant trees or restore grasslands and undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Biden: Biden supports Obama and stated that global warming “is a threat to international stability as well as a risk to the environment and our economy." He also said “The scientific evidence is clear: We need to take significant steps toward worldwide reduction of greenhouse gases to avoid permanently altering our climate." These statements say it all.
Click here to watch Obama speak about the environment
McCain: McCain introduced the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007 with Senator Joseph Lieberman. The legislation is designed to significantly reduce the nation's greenhouse gases, accomplished through a combination of trading markets and the deployment of advanced technologies. McCain proposed use of alternative energy sources (including nuclear) that would not hurt the environment as much.
Palin: When Palin was asked by ABC News whether she believes global warming is a natural occurrence or man made, Palin said, "I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now." Around the same time, though she was quoted by Newsmax magazine saying, "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. ... I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made." These two statements are contradictory like must of her statements and it his hard to tell her true stance on the subject.
Click here to watch McCain speak about the environment
Healthcare
Obama: Obama has said, "The time has come for universal health care in America….I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country." Obama's health care plan would guarantee eligibility for affordable health care for all Americans. This would be paid for by insurance reform, reducing costs, removing patent protection for pharmaceuticals, and required employer contributions. He would provide mandatory healthcare for all children and allow them to be insured under their parent up to the age of 25.
Biden: Biden supports expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to allow more children to participate. He wants to give uninsured Americans the opportunity to purchase an insurance plan that is comparable to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan and to give people 55 and older the chance to buy into early coverage under Medicare.
McCain: McCain is against publicly funded health care and universal health care. Instead, he proposes tax credits of up to $5,000 for families to get health insurance. McCain has said, "In health care, we believe in enhancing the freedom of individuals to receive necessary and desired care. We do not believe in coercion and the use of state power to mandate care, coverage or costs." This fits perfectly with him supporting the Health Care Choice Act, which would allow citizens to purchase health insurance nationwide instead of limiting them to in-state companies, and to buy insurance through any organization or association they choose as well as through their employers or buying direct from an insurance company. At the heart of his plan are tax credits - $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families who do not subscribe to or do not have access to health care through their employer. He plans to pay for this by eliminating the tax break currently offered to employers for providing health insurance to employees.
Palin: Palin supports McCain on many key points. She stated on Sarah Palin for Governor Web site, "I support flexibility in government regulations that allow competition in health care that is needed and is proven to be good for the consumer, which will drive down health care costs and reduce the need for government subsidies. I also support patients in their rightful demands to have access to full medical billing information."
Immigration
Obama: Obama supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. He also voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border that he says would help deter illegal immigration.
Biden: Biden supports Obama in that he supported the Bush-backed 2006 bill for comprehensive immigration reform. Biden stated that, "this was the only bill that adequately addressed all three pieces: mandating tough border security, tightening our temporary guest worker program and finding a humane and reasonable way to deal with the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants living and working in the United States. He believes in Obama’s plan to tighten border security and help illegal immigrants gain legal citizenship. He voted for the construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Click here to watch Obama speak about immigration
McCain: McCain and Obama pretty much have the same view on immigration. McCain co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. He also voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Palin: While Palin has little insight on the subject, she fully backs McCain’s policy and hopes to put an end to illegal immigration.
Click here to watch McCain speak about Immigration.
Iraq War
Obama: Obama opposed use of military force in Iraq. Obama stated, "I know that invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East and encourage the worst rather than best impulses in the Arab world and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars; I am opposed to dumb wars." Obama voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. He would redeploy U.S. troops at a pace of one to two brigades a month. The Obama campaign says the proposed schedule would remove them from Iraq within 16 months and be complete by summer 2010.
Biden: Biden voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq but has become a critic of the war. He said the vote was a mistake. "I regret having … believed that this administration had any competence," he told NBC News. Biden co-sponsored the Iraq War Policy Bill in 2007 that opposed the troop surge supported by President Bush. He also co-sponsored a Senate resolution in January 2007 that stated, "It is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq, particularly by escalating the United States military force presence in Iraq."
Click here to watch Obama speak about the war in Iraq
McCain: McCain supports the war and believes it is necessary for not only the protection of the U.S. but also the protection of the Iraqi people. McCain voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq. He Supported Bush’s veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. McCain was one of the earliest people who supported the sending of additional American troops to Iraq. He does not believe in setting a withdrawal timetable and has stated that “anything is a good timetable that is dictated by conditions on the ground. Anything is good. But the timetable is dictated not by an artificial date but by the conditions on the ground.”
Palin: Palin supports the war and stated during the vice presidential debate October 2, "We don't need early withdrawal out of Iraq. We cannot afford to lose there or we're going to be no better off in the war in Afghanistan either. "She also stated that “We cannot afford to lose against al Qaeda and the Shia extremists who are still there, still fighting us, but we're getting closer and closer to victory. And it would be a travesty if we quit now in Iraq.”
Click Here to watch McCain speak about the war in Iraq
Economy
Obama: Obama supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package. On October 3, he stated, "America is facing one of the greatest financial crises in history, and today's passage of an emergency rescue plan was absolutely necessary to prevent an economic catastrophe that could have cost millions of jobs and forced businesses across the country into bankruptcy." Obama Purposes a series of reforms for the financial sector that include new oversight of investment banks, more disclosure by financial firms, higher capital requirements for firms used to operating with a minimal cash backstop, and more consistent rules that apply to all financial institutions, not just regular banks. He supported increasing the federal insurance for money deposited in personal bank accounts to $250,000. Obama also purposes a $50 billion emergency economic stimulus plan. The money would go toward 1 million jobs for rebuilding infrastructure and schools, and helping local governments avoid budget cuts.
Biden: Biden says he would balance the federal budget by ending the Iraq war and eliminating the associated expenditures, and ending tax cuts for the wealthy. He supports rolling back oil speculation and confronting OPEC to bring down oil prices. Biden plans to invest in U.S. infrastructure - bridges, dams, roads and airports - as a means of creating jobs. He would expand the research and development tax credit and the earned income tax credit. He also plans to crack down on predatory lending and provide tax breaks for small businesses. This plan, he says, will greatly improve the nation economy and send us into prosperity.
McCain: McCain supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package. "This rescue bill isn't perfect, and it is an outrage that it's even necessary, but we have to stop the damage to our economy done by corrupt and incompetent practices on Wall Street and in Washington. The action Congress took is a tourniquet. It is not a permanent solution." McCain also said in a statement "The McCain-Palin administration will replace the outdated and ineffective patchwork quilt of regulatory oversight in Washington and bring transparency and accountability to Wall Street."
Palin: Palin purposes more federal oversight of investment and savings firms.
She stated that “It was the predator lenders, who tried to talk Americans into thinking that it was smart to buy a $300,000 house if we could only afford a $100,000 house. There was deception there, and there was greed and there is corruption on Wall Street. And we need to stop that.” Palin also stated that “We need to make sure that as individuals we're taking personal responsibility through all this. It's not the American people's fault that the economy is hurting like it is, but we have an opportunity to learn a heck of a lot of good lessons through this and say never again will we be taken advantage of.”
Poverty
Obama: Obama hopes to give tax cuts to the needy and tax the rich. He also hopes to better the African American poverty stricken areas by implementing a series of laws and pans. He didn’t state much more on the subject.
Biden: Biden supports Obama in his plan to help poverty stricken areas and he also plans to make sure that everything that can be done about American poverty is done.
McCain: Plans to take tax breaks from big companies that outsource jobs and give to companies that create more jobs here in the United States. This he says will help the poverty stricken obtain good jobs. He also plans to enroll the help of many programs that would help clean up the poverty stricken areas of the United States.
Palin: Palin’s plan is similar to both McCain’s and barrack Obama’s. She believes in a hybrid plan that combines the best of both.
Stem cell Research
Obama: Obama purposes increased stem cell research yet, he opposes the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes. Obama stated that "We owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases." He supported legislation during his Illinois Senate that tenure in the allowed embryonic stem cell research in that state. Obama opposes human cloning in any manor.
Biden: Biden is a supporter of stem cell research and backs Obama fully on his limiations of stem cell research.
Click here to watch Obama speak about stem cell research
McCain: McCain supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on embryos that would otherwise be discarded but opposes the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes. He also opposes human cloning and any related experimentation.
Palin: Palin had this to say when asked about stem cell research: “My personal opinion is we should not create human life -- create an embryo and then destroy it for research -- if there are other options out there... And thankfully, again, not only are there other options, but we're getting closer and closer to finding a tremendous amount more of options, like, as I mentioned, the adult stem cell research.”
Click here to watch McCain speak about stem cell research
Obama: Obama has both agreed with abortion in the past and disagreed with it. He failed to support a bill prohibiting funds to groups that perform abortions. Obama disagreed with Supreme Court ruling to uphold the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act." Obama disagrees with any amendment to overturn the ruling in Roe vs. Wade. He simply doesn’t believe one way or another instead he has a unique view. This unique view makes his various speeches seem to oppose his previous votes.
Biden: Agrees with Obama in the fact that he is for the decision made in Roe vs. wade. He is for the ban on partial-birth abortion and opposes public funding for abortion.
Click here to watch Obama speak about abortion
McCain: He against abortion and believes all human life should be valued. McCain Voted for the Prohibit Partial Birth Abortion bill in 2003 and supports his decision strongly. He voted to prohibit funding to groups who perform abortions and supports Supreme Court ruling upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. McCain believes that the ruling in Roe vs. Wade is a bad decision that must be overturned.
Palin: Palin’s view is very much like McCain’s. Palin is against abortion in all cases including rape and incest, except when a mother's life is in danger. She stated that she believes that the case of Roe v. Wade should be overturned and the decision given to the states.
Click here to watch McCain speak abortion
Education
Obama: He values education highly and wants more high-quality early childhood education programs. He also wants more child care opportunities and the recruiting of well qualified teachers. Obama wants to reduce the high school dropout rate and empower parents to raise healthy and successful children by taking a greater role in their child's education at home and at school. He believes that the no child left behind law “has the right goal but the law has significant flaws that need to be addressed.” Obama proposes investing $10 billion a year to increase the number of children eligible for Early Head Start, increase access to preschool, provide affordable and quality child care and increase coordination across federal, state and local levels. He also proposes more scholarships for students planning to attend four years college.
Biden: He agrees completely with Obama. This is ironic in that when he attended college he failed to value education and made only mediocre grades.
Click here to watch Obama speak about education
McCain: McCain has stated that “We need to reward good teachers and find bad teachers another line of work”. He believes that “we need more charter schools” and that “we need vouchers where it's approved by the local, state school boards.” McCain fully supports the leave no child behind law and he wishes to put 5% of title II funding toward the development of teachers. McCain also wants to improve virtual schools by reforming the "Enhancing Education Through Technology Program."
Palin: Palin said during the vice presidential debate on October 2 “Education in America has been in some sense in some of our states just accepted to be a little bit lax, and we have got to increase the standards. No Child Left Behind was implemented. It's not doing the job though. We need flexibility in No Child Left Behind." That statement pretty much sums up her view on educational standards.
Click her to watch McCain speak about education
Death Penalty
Obama: Obama believes the death penalty is used too inconsistently and too much. He does however, support it but only for cases in which "the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage." He also stated that "While the evidence tells me that the death penalty does little to deter crime, I believe there are some crimes so heinous that the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage by meting out the ultimate punishment. On the other hand, the way capital cases were tried in Illinois at the time was so rife with error, questionable police tactics, racial bias, and shoddy lawyering, that 13 death row inmates had been exonerated."
Biden: He supports Obama in that he believes the death penalty should be used. However he also passed laws reducing the limits of the death penalties which is the exact opposite of what Obama wants.
McCain: McCain has indicated many times that he supports the death penalty. He has voted to restrict the death penalty while still keeping it in affective usage. He also states that he believes that the death penalty is an affective deterrent of crime because it restores are natural fear of the loss of our life.
Palin: Palin is a big supporter of capital punishment. She recently stated "If the legislature passed a death penalty law, I would sign it. We have a right to know that someone who rapes and murders a child or kills an innocent person in a drive-by shooting will never be able to do that again."
Environment
Obama: Obama plans implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists. Obama would make the United States a leader in the global effort to combat climate change. Obama would limit carbon emissions. He would create a Technology Transfer program within the Department of Energy dedicated to sharing climate-friendly technologies to developing or “third world countries”. Obama would also reward, forest owners and farmers and ranchers when they plant trees or restore grasslands and undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Biden: Biden supports Obama and stated that global warming “is a threat to international stability as well as a risk to the environment and our economy." He also said “The scientific evidence is clear: We need to take significant steps toward worldwide reduction of greenhouse gases to avoid permanently altering our climate." These statements say it all.
Click here to watch Obama speak about the environment
McCain: McCain introduced the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007 with Senator Joseph Lieberman. The legislation is designed to significantly reduce the nation's greenhouse gases, accomplished through a combination of trading markets and the deployment of advanced technologies. McCain proposed use of alternative energy sources (including nuclear) that would not hurt the environment as much.
Palin: When Palin was asked by ABC News whether she believes global warming is a natural occurrence or man made, Palin said, "I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now." Around the same time, though she was quoted by Newsmax magazine saying, "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. ... I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made." These two statements are contradictory like must of her statements and it his hard to tell her true stance on the subject.
Click here to watch McCain speak about the environment
Healthcare
Obama: Obama has said, "The time has come for universal health care in America….I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country." Obama's health care plan would guarantee eligibility for affordable health care for all Americans. This would be paid for by insurance reform, reducing costs, removing patent protection for pharmaceuticals, and required employer contributions. He would provide mandatory healthcare for all children and allow them to be insured under their parent up to the age of 25.
Biden: Biden supports expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to allow more children to participate. He wants to give uninsured Americans the opportunity to purchase an insurance plan that is comparable to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan and to give people 55 and older the chance to buy into early coverage under Medicare.
McCain: McCain is against publicly funded health care and universal health care. Instead, he proposes tax credits of up to $5,000 for families to get health insurance. McCain has said, "In health care, we believe in enhancing the freedom of individuals to receive necessary and desired care. We do not believe in coercion and the use of state power to mandate care, coverage or costs." This fits perfectly with him supporting the Health Care Choice Act, which would allow citizens to purchase health insurance nationwide instead of limiting them to in-state companies, and to buy insurance through any organization or association they choose as well as through their employers or buying direct from an insurance company. At the heart of his plan are tax credits - $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families who do not subscribe to or do not have access to health care through their employer. He plans to pay for this by eliminating the tax break currently offered to employers for providing health insurance to employees.
Palin: Palin supports McCain on many key points. She stated on Sarah Palin for Governor Web site, "I support flexibility in government regulations that allow competition in health care that is needed and is proven to be good for the consumer, which will drive down health care costs and reduce the need for government subsidies. I also support patients in their rightful demands to have access to full medical billing information."
Immigration
Obama: Obama supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. He also voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border that he says would help deter illegal immigration.
Biden: Biden supports Obama in that he supported the Bush-backed 2006 bill for comprehensive immigration reform. Biden stated that, "this was the only bill that adequately addressed all three pieces: mandating tough border security, tightening our temporary guest worker program and finding a humane and reasonable way to deal with the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants living and working in the United States. He believes in Obama’s plan to tighten border security and help illegal immigrants gain legal citizenship. He voted for the construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Click here to watch Obama speak about immigration
McCain: McCain and Obama pretty much have the same view on immigration. McCain co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. He also voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Palin: While Palin has little insight on the subject, she fully backs McCain’s policy and hopes to put an end to illegal immigration.
Click here to watch McCain speak about Immigration.
Iraq War
Obama: Obama opposed use of military force in Iraq. Obama stated, "I know that invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East and encourage the worst rather than best impulses in the Arab world and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars; I am opposed to dumb wars." Obama voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. He would redeploy U.S. troops at a pace of one to two brigades a month. The Obama campaign says the proposed schedule would remove them from Iraq within 16 months and be complete by summer 2010.
Biden: Biden voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq but has become a critic of the war. He said the vote was a mistake. "I regret having … believed that this administration had any competence," he told NBC News. Biden co-sponsored the Iraq War Policy Bill in 2007 that opposed the troop surge supported by President Bush. He also co-sponsored a Senate resolution in January 2007 that stated, "It is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq, particularly by escalating the United States military force presence in Iraq."
Click here to watch Obama speak about the war in Iraq
McCain: McCain supports the war and believes it is necessary for not only the protection of the U.S. but also the protection of the Iraqi people. McCain voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq. He Supported Bush’s veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. McCain was one of the earliest people who supported the sending of additional American troops to Iraq. He does not believe in setting a withdrawal timetable and has stated that “anything is a good timetable that is dictated by conditions on the ground. Anything is good. But the timetable is dictated not by an artificial date but by the conditions on the ground.”
Palin: Palin supports the war and stated during the vice presidential debate October 2, "We don't need early withdrawal out of Iraq. We cannot afford to lose there or we're going to be no better off in the war in Afghanistan either. "She also stated that “We cannot afford to lose against al Qaeda and the Shia extremists who are still there, still fighting us, but we're getting closer and closer to victory. And it would be a travesty if we quit now in Iraq.”
Click Here to watch McCain speak about the war in Iraq
Economy
Obama: Obama supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package. On October 3, he stated, "America is facing one of the greatest financial crises in history, and today's passage of an emergency rescue plan was absolutely necessary to prevent an economic catastrophe that could have cost millions of jobs and forced businesses across the country into bankruptcy." Obama Purposes a series of reforms for the financial sector that include new oversight of investment banks, more disclosure by financial firms, higher capital requirements for firms used to operating with a minimal cash backstop, and more consistent rules that apply to all financial institutions, not just regular banks. He supported increasing the federal insurance for money deposited in personal bank accounts to $250,000. Obama also purposes a $50 billion emergency economic stimulus plan. The money would go toward 1 million jobs for rebuilding infrastructure and schools, and helping local governments avoid budget cuts.
Biden: Biden says he would balance the federal budget by ending the Iraq war and eliminating the associated expenditures, and ending tax cuts for the wealthy. He supports rolling back oil speculation and confronting OPEC to bring down oil prices. Biden plans to invest in U.S. infrastructure - bridges, dams, roads and airports - as a means of creating jobs. He would expand the research and development tax credit and the earned income tax credit. He also plans to crack down on predatory lending and provide tax breaks for small businesses. This plan, he says, will greatly improve the nation economy and send us into prosperity.
McCain: McCain supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package. "This rescue bill isn't perfect, and it is an outrage that it's even necessary, but we have to stop the damage to our economy done by corrupt and incompetent practices on Wall Street and in Washington. The action Congress took is a tourniquet. It is not a permanent solution." McCain also said in a statement "The McCain-Palin administration will replace the outdated and ineffective patchwork quilt of regulatory oversight in Washington and bring transparency and accountability to Wall Street."
Palin: Palin purposes more federal oversight of investment and savings firms.
She stated that “It was the predator lenders, who tried to talk Americans into thinking that it was smart to buy a $300,000 house if we could only afford a $100,000 house. There was deception there, and there was greed and there is corruption on Wall Street. And we need to stop that.” Palin also stated that “We need to make sure that as individuals we're taking personal responsibility through all this. It's not the American people's fault that the economy is hurting like it is, but we have an opportunity to learn a heck of a lot of good lessons through this and say never again will we be taken advantage of.”
Poverty
Obama: Obama hopes to give tax cuts to the needy and tax the rich. He also hopes to better the African American poverty stricken areas by implementing a series of laws and pans. He didn’t state much more on the subject.
Biden: Biden supports Obama in his plan to help poverty stricken areas and he also plans to make sure that everything that can be done about American poverty is done.
McCain: Plans to take tax breaks from big companies that outsource jobs and give to companies that create more jobs here in the United States. This he says will help the poverty stricken obtain good jobs. He also plans to enroll the help of many programs that would help clean up the poverty stricken areas of the United States.
Palin: Palin’s plan is similar to both McCain’s and barrack Obama’s. She believes in a hybrid plan that combines the best of both.
Stem cell Research
Obama: Obama purposes increased stem cell research yet, he opposes the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes. Obama stated that "We owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases." He supported legislation during his Illinois Senate that tenure in the allowed embryonic stem cell research in that state. Obama opposes human cloning in any manor.
Biden: Biden is a supporter of stem cell research and backs Obama fully on his limiations of stem cell research.
Click here to watch Obama speak about stem cell research
McCain: McCain supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on embryos that would otherwise be discarded but opposes the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes. He also opposes human cloning and any related experimentation.
Palin: Palin had this to say when asked about stem cell research: “My personal opinion is we should not create human life -- create an embryo and then destroy it for research -- if there are other options out there... And thankfully, again, not only are there other options, but we're getting closer and closer to finding a tremendous amount more of options, like, as I mentioned, the adult stem cell research.”
Click here to watch McCain speak about stem cell research
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Climate Change
Climate change or Global warming is defined as any long-term significant change in the average temperature of any region in the world. It can happen over the course of decades or the course millions of decades but the fact remains that it does happen. Climate change happens with or without the presence of humans and it has happened since the beginning of the world. The question isn’t whether or not climate change is happening it’s if humans have an impact on it. Many scientist bring up the fact of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases that block in the heat of the sun that would regularly pass out of our atmosphere. This is called the greenhouse effect. Another thing greenhouse gases do is eat a hole in the ozone layer. The ozone layer is a protective layer composed gases that help block out the sun rays. These Occurrences are believed to trigger climate change. This change in temperature can lead to glaciers melting, ocean waters rising and a span of many other problems. Climate change is a real problem that deserves a real solution. Climate change has become a subject of debate within today’s society thus, the current presidential candidates are addressing it in ways they think are best.
Friday, October 24, 2008
McCain's Stance
McCain introduced the Climate and Innovation Act of 2007, thus proving he wants to take action to help our environment. This particular legislation is designed to reduce greenhouse gases greatly through a combination of trading markets and the use of advanced technologies such as biodiesel. McCain also purposes the use of alternative energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, and even nuclear. McCain stated that he not only believes in climate change but wants to do something about it. He also stated that even if climate change isn’t a problem and we made the switch to green, then the worst that could happen is our children receiving a better, cleaner planet.
Palin's Stance
Palin was asked if she believes global warming is a result of human activity and she stated that “I’m attributing some of man’s activities to potentially causing some of the changes in climate right now.” However she also was quoted saying, “A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. …I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man made.” This makes me feel a though she is undecided and not willing to take a firm stance.
McCain introduced the Climate and Innovation Act of 2007, thus proving he wants to take action to help our environment. This particular legislation is designed to reduce greenhouse gases greatly through a combination of trading markets and the use of advanced technologies such as biodiesel. McCain also purposes the use of alternative energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, and even nuclear. McCain stated that he not only believes in climate change but wants to do something about it. He also stated that even if climate change isn’t a problem and we made the switch to green, then the worst that could happen is our children receiving a better, cleaner planet.
Palin's Stance
Palin was asked if she believes global warming is a result of human activity and she stated that “I’m attributing some of man’s activities to potentially causing some of the changes in climate right now.” However she also was quoted saying, “A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. …I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man made.” This makes me feel a though she is undecided and not willing to take a firm stance.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Obama's Stance
Obama would seek to implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gases to what many scientist believe to be a safe level. He also stated that he would make the U.S. a leader in the global effort to combat climate change and thus would help pass legislation to better that effort. Obama would also seek to establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard. This standard would help promote the switch to non-carbon fuels. He would also develop a plan to help spread eco-friendly technologies through the world including “third world countries”.
Biden's Stance
Biden has sponsored many bills to help maintain the environment including a 2006 senate bill that stated “global warming is a threat to international stability as well as a risk to the environment and our economy”. Biden said this when asked about the environment “ the scientific evidence is clear: we need to take significant steps toward worldwide reduction of greenhouse gases to avoid terminally altering our climate.
Obama would seek to implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gases to what many scientist believe to be a safe level. He also stated that he would make the U.S. a leader in the global effort to combat climate change and thus would help pass legislation to better that effort. Obama would also seek to establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard. This standard would help promote the switch to non-carbon fuels. He would also develop a plan to help spread eco-friendly technologies through the world including “third world countries”.
Biden's Stance
Biden has sponsored many bills to help maintain the environment including a 2006 senate bill that stated “global warming is a threat to international stability as well as a risk to the environment and our economy”. Biden said this when asked about the environment “ the scientific evidence is clear: we need to take significant steps toward worldwide reduction of greenhouse gases to avoid terminally altering our climate.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Offshore Drilling
Offshore drilling is a topic debated by many today and it is very controversial. The problem lies in whether or not to use or nation’s resources and drill offshore. If we were to drill offshore it would be a temporary fix an would lower gas and energy prices. Some say that drilling buy valuable time for our nation to go green while others say it is unwise to use or nation’s resources. So do we use them up or save them for a rainy day?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Obama's Stance
Obama has previously been opposed to lifting restrictions on offshore drilling, but he has recently modified his stance. On august 1 he made a statement that supported legislative effort that would expand offshore drilling. He also stated that, “I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short-term or even significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long-term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions bases on science and fact."
Biden's Stance
Biden does not support offshore drilling at the present time. He did however say that he would support it if certain conditions were met. He did not specify these conditions and would say no more on the subject.
Obama has previously been opposed to lifting restrictions on offshore drilling, but he has recently modified his stance. On august 1 he made a statement that supported legislative effort that would expand offshore drilling. He also stated that, “I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short-term or even significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long-term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions bases on science and fact."
Biden's Stance
Biden does not support offshore drilling at the present time. He did however say that he would support it if certain conditions were met. He did not specify these conditions and would say no more on the subject.
Monday, October 20, 2008
McCain's Stance
McCain believes the federal government should lift restrictions on offshore drilling. He also believes in the exploration of new offshore drilling sites. McCain said he opposed lifting such restrictions in his 2000 presidential campaign. This I believe says nothing because the times have changed, thus the candidates must change with them. McCain is also against drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge.
Palin's stance
Palin is a proponent of offshore drilling. She stayed during her vice presidential nomination acceptance speech that: “Our opponents say again and again that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems, as if we didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling, though, won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.”
McCain believes the federal government should lift restrictions on offshore drilling. He also believes in the exploration of new offshore drilling sites. McCain said he opposed lifting such restrictions in his 2000 presidential campaign. This I believe says nothing because the times have changed, thus the candidates must change with them. McCain is also against drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge.
Palin's stance
Palin is a proponent of offshore drilling. She stayed during her vice presidential nomination acceptance speech that: “Our opponents say again and again that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems, as if we didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling, though, won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.”
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is an alternate energy source and many believe it will help cut our dependency on fossil fuels. It harnesses nuclear energy and transforms it into energy that we can use. Nuclear energy however, is not all good it faces many concerns by the people. Most of these concerns are centered around the disposal of the nuclear waste that is produced by the process. Another concern is the malfunction of nuclear plants. A serous malfunction could cause the deaths of Thousands and many people think the risk is too great. Nuclear energy is greatly debated and the current candidates are squaring off on the subject.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
McCain's Stance
McCain wants to build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 with the goal of eventually constructing 100 plants. He believes that the only reason we haven’t got more nuclear power plants is because the government is holding us back with political barriers. He would also provide for safe storage of spent nuclear fuel and give host states money for when advanced recycling technologies turn used fuel into economic benefits.
Palin's Stance
Palin belifes in nuclear energy and suports McCains plan fully.
McCain wants to build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 with the goal of eventually constructing 100 plants. He believes that the only reason we haven’t got more nuclear power plants is because the government is holding us back with political barriers. He would also provide for safe storage of spent nuclear fuel and give host states money for when advanced recycling technologies turn used fuel into economic benefits.
Palin's Stance
Palin belifes in nuclear energy and suports McCains plan fully.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Obama's Stance
Obama stated that “we should explore nuclear power as a part of the energy mix.” He also said that he will find better and safer ways to use nuclear power and store it’s potentially harmful waste. There was no other information o be found on this topic.
Biden's Stance
Biden supports funding for alternative energy and is behind Obama in his quest for better energy.
Obama stated that “we should explore nuclear power as a part of the energy mix.” He also said that he will find better and safer ways to use nuclear power and store it’s potentially harmful waste. There was no other information o be found on this topic.
Biden's Stance
Biden supports funding for alternative energy and is behind Obama in his quest for better energy.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Technology review
Both McCain and Obama want technology oriented people in the government. I personally believe that this is not only a great goal to have but also a necessary one. In our changing world we need a better understanding of technology and both candidates seem understand that. They both want to expand the reach of technology. They both also want to protect technology and make sure it doesn't get too commercialized.
Everyone in the discussion seemed to have legitimate view on the subject. They all seemed to realize the importance of technology in our world. They also realized just how hard it is to get the facts straight. We all agree with each other and everyone seemed to learn something they didn't know before.
My peers and I believe that people need to read deeper into things and gain an understanding of the candidates true views before they vote. The candidates themselves need to stop putting down their opponent and start explaining their goals. They also need to just say what they truly believe and need not to try and gain votes. Technology is a big factor in our world and should be treated with as much respect as any other issue.
Everyone in the discussion seemed to have legitimate view on the subject. They all seemed to realize the importance of technology in our world. They also realized just how hard it is to get the facts straight. We all agree with each other and everyone seemed to learn something they didn't know before.
My peers and I believe that people need to read deeper into things and gain an understanding of the candidates true views before they vote. The candidates themselves need to stop putting down their opponent and start explaining their goals. They also need to just say what they truly believe and need not to try and gain votes. Technology is a big factor in our world and should be treated with as much respect as any other issue.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Election Interview (between a family friend and I)
- What is the most important political issue to you?? " I would have to say education because it projects the quality of life in the future."
- What political party do you support and why?? " I believe both parties need to suck it up and unite because this competition is only doing harm to our country and corrupting our government."
- What do think about our community?? " like any community it has it's up and downs but I believe that we have a very diverse and mostly friendly community. Our community doesn't worry about political issues that much and so every person has a uninfluenced view"
- What do you believe influences others on how they vote?? "I believe most people get caught up on superficial things. Like in this election it is race and gender.It should be the candidates plans and views that will affect the vote."
- What affects your vote and why?? "I try not to get caught up in the lies but it is hard to find the truth. There isn't that much information out there and I don't know what to believe. As hard as I try not to be affected by my friends, family and community I'll still end up voting in their favor.So the point is I;m influnced by anyone around me along with what I think. "
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Interview conclusion
I believe the interview was insightful. I never knew that it was so difficult to find the right information. I always thought it was just put out there for you. I also found it interesting just how much your raising and the beliefs of you peers affect your vote. It goes to show you how easily fooled and influenced people are.
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