Here’s the reality: whichever of the “big 3″ assume the position, they’ll bring us essentially the same administration. I think the next Pres will be working with a Democratically controlled Congress so implementing a platform shouldn’t be tough for any of them.
I used ‘HillaryClinton.com’, ‘JohnEdwards.com’, and ‘BarackObama.com’. I clicked on the “Issues” option on each page then did a tab-by-tab comparison on the issues noted. I did NOT read the actual position papers. I used the summaries and details as listed on each candidate’s site. While it may be true that the websites are just stump speeches in writing, each of these sites is essentially the same so if you don’t like Barack’s, you don’t like Hillary’s, either.
Iraq: Clinton says that within 60 days of taking office she will convene a committee to develop a plan to bring home America’s combat troops as soon as possible and begin working toward a diplomatic solution. Edwards says he’ll immediately start drawing down combat troops with a goal to have them all out within 9 to 10 months and begin working toward a diplomatic solution. Obama says he’ll immediately start drawing down combat troops with a goal to have them all out within 16 months and begin working toward a diplomatic solution.
Taxes: Clinton says she’ll lower taxes for the middle class, eliminate the marriage tax penalty, and offer new credits for health care, education, and retirement. Edwards says he’ll lower taxes for the middle class, eliminate the marriage tax penalty, and offer new credits for health care, education, and retirement. He says he’ll repeal Bush’s tax cuts for the rich while maintaining the estate tax on the largest estates. Obama says he’ll lower taxes for the middle class, eliminate the marriage tax penalty, and offer new credits for health care, education, and retirement.
Health care: Clinton says she’ll offer tax credits so people can buy insurance. She’ll make insurance “affordable” and available to everyone and then require everyone to buy it. Edwards also offers tax credits and say’s he’ll make insurance “affordable” and available to everyone and then require everyone to buy it. Obama says he’ll make insurance “affordable” and available to everyone. I didn’t see any requirement for individuals to buy it but he offers subsidies to families who don’t qualify as “poor” but still need financial assistance to participate. (Personal note: today, after work, I have to find a bankruptcy attorney, ironically as the result of health complications. Neither tax credits nor “affordable insurance” will enable me to come up with money for health insurance on a monthly basis as my income is all tied up in things like ‘food’ and ‘shelter’…)
Both Clinton and Obama include “portability” as a plus to their plans. If you change jobs, you take your insurance with you. I should hope so, since you’ll be paying for it…
Here are the ‘Issues’ items from each candidate:
Clinton: Strengthening the Middle Class, Providing Affordable & Accessible Health Care, Ending the War in Iraq, Energy Independence & Global Warming, Improving Our Schools, Fulfilling Our Promises to Veterans, Supporting Parents and Caring for Children, Restoring America’s Standing in the World, A Champion for Women, Comprehensive Government Reform, Strengthening Our Democracy, Reforming our Immigration System, An Innovation Agenda.
Edwards: Health Care, Poverty, Rural America, Tax Reform, Tax Simplification, Government Reform, Trade, Working Families, Predatory Mortgages, Debt and Savings, Food Safety, Iraq, Iran, Global Poverty, Military, Homeland Security, Terrorism, Darfur and Uganda, Civil Liberties, Reengaging With the World, Energy/Environment, Education, College Affordability, Innovation, Open Media, Veterans/Military Families, African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Latinos, LGBT, Women, Young America, Older Americans, People with Disabilities.
Obama: Civil Rights, Disabilities, Economy, Education, Energy & Environment, Ethics, Faith, Family, Fiscal, Foreign Policy, Healthcare, Homeland Security, Immigration, Iraq, Poverty, Rural, Service, Seniors & Social Security, Technology, Veterans.
3 Planks In A Platform…
Here’s the reality: whichever of the “big 3″ assume the position, they’ll bring us essentially the same administration. I think the next Pres will be working with a Democratically controlled Congress so implementing a platform shouldn’t be tough for any of them.
I used ‘HillaryClinton.com’, ‘JohnEdwards.com’, and ‘BarackObama.com’. I clicked on the “Issues” option on each page then did a tab-by-tab comparison on the issues noted. I did NOT read the actual position papers. I used the summaries and details as listed on each candidate’s site. While it may be true that the websites are just stump speeches in writing, each of these sites is essentially the same so if you don’t like Barack’s, you don’t like Hillary’s, either.
Iraq: Clinton says that within 60 days of taking office she will convene a committee to develop a plan to bring home America’s combat troops as soon as possible and begin working toward a diplomatic solution. Edwards says he’ll immediately start drawing down combat troops with a goal to have them all out within 9 to 10 months and begin working toward a diplomatic solution. Obama says he’ll immediately start drawing down combat troops with a goal to have them all out within 16 months and begin working toward a diplomatic solution.
Taxes: Clinton says she’ll lower taxes for the middle class, eliminate the marriage tax penalty, and offer new credits for health care, education, and retirement. Edwards says he’ll lower taxes for the middle class, eliminate the marriage tax penalty, and offer new credits for health care, education, and retirement. He says he’ll repeal Bush’s tax cuts for the rich while maintaining the estate tax on the largest estates. Obama says he’ll lower taxes for the middle class, eliminate the marriage tax penalty, and offer new credits for health care, education, and retirement.
Health care: Clinton says she’ll offer tax credits so people can buy insurance. She’ll make insurance “affordable” and available to everyone and then require everyone to buy it. Edwards also offers tax credits and say’s he’ll make insurance “affordable” and available to everyone and then require everyone to buy it. Obama says he’ll make insurance “affordable” and available to everyone. I didn’t see any requirement for individuals to buy it but he offers subsidies to families who don’t qualify as “poor” but still need financial assistance to participate. (Personal note: today, after work, I have to find a bankruptcy attorney, ironically as the result of health complications. Neither tax credits nor “affordable insurance” will enable me to come up with money for health insurance on a monthly basis as my income is all tied up in things like ‘food’ and ‘shelter’…)
Both Clinton and Obama include “portability” as a plus to their plans. If you change jobs, you take your insurance with you. I should hope so, since you’ll be paying for it…
Here are the ‘Issues’ items from each candidate:
Clinton: Strengthening the Middle Class, Providing Affordable & Accessible Health Care, Ending the War in Iraq, Energy Independence & Global Warming, Improving Our Schools, Fulfilling Our Promises to Veterans, Supporting Parents and Caring for Children, Restoring America’s Standing in the World, A Champion for Women, Comprehensive Government Reform, Strengthening Our Democracy, Reforming our Immigration System, An Innovation Agenda.
Edwards: Health Care, Poverty, Rural America, Tax Reform, Tax Simplification, Government Reform, Trade, Working Families, Predatory Mortgages, Debt and Savings, Food Safety, Iraq, Iran, Global Poverty, Military, Homeland Security, Terrorism, Darfur and Uganda, Civil Liberties, Reengaging With the World, Energy/Environment, Education, College Affordability, Innovation, Open Media, Veterans/Military Families, African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Latinos, LGBT, Women, Young America, Older Americans, People with Disabilities.
Obama: Civil Rights, Disabilities, Economy, Education, Energy & Environment, Ethics, Faith, Family, Fiscal, Foreign Policy, Healthcare, Homeland Security, Immigration, Iraq, Poverty, Rural, Service, Seniors & Social Security, Technology, Veterans.