The 2008 Presidential Election is a heated fight between Senator Barack Obama (Dem.) and Senator John McCain (GOP) and is quite possibly one of the biggest elections ever. While the candidates agree on issues such as abortion, relations with Cuba, and the war in Afghanistan, some of the most major issues surrounding the elections are those that they disagree on. These issues include the economy, health care, and Iraq.
Concerning the economy, Senator Obama proposed existing businesses should receive a $3,000 refundable tax credit for each additional full-time employee hired during 2009 and 2010. He proposed raising the small-business investment expensing limit to $250,000 through the end of 2009 and eliminating all capital gains taxes on investments made in small business. Obama would create a $25 billion "Jobs and Growth Fund" to invest in infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, and to save jobs. He called for new legislation that would give families the option of withdrawing as much as 15 percent of their retirement savings --- up to a maximum of $10,000 --- without facing a tax penalty this year or next. Also called for a temporary lifting of taxes on unemployment insurance benefits as a way of giving more relief to families.
Senator McCain Advocates reform of the financial sector. "The McCain-Palin administration will replace the outdated and ineffective patchwork quilt of regulatory oversight in Washington and bring transparency and accountability to Wall Street," he said in a statement. Supported increasing the federal insurance for money deposited in personal bank accounts to $250,000. During the first presidential debate in September, he advocated a spending freeze to help solve the financial crisis. "How about a spending freeze on everything but defense, veteran affairs and entitlement programs?" he said. "I think we ought to seriously consider, with the exceptions the caring of veterans, national defense and several other vital issues." Advocates creating a top-level commission to study streamlining and strengthening federal agencies charted with protecting the economy. Called for the creation of a Mortgage and Financial Institutions Trust (MFI) to help companies avoid bankruptcy while protecting their customers. The money would also help consumers restructure loans so they can keep their homes.
In terms of health care, Obama 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, but requires coverage for all children. Allows individuals below age 25 to be covered through their parents' plans. Allows individuals to choose between the new public insurance program and private insurance plans that meet certain coverage standards. The Obama campaign Web site says the coverage would have benefits similar to those offered to Congress through the Federal Employees Benefits Program. Plan would expand eligibility for Medicaid and State's Children's Health Insurance Program.
McCain opposes federally mandated universal coverage. He believes competition will improve the quality of health insurance. Supports health care tax dividends for low-income Americans, medical malpractice reform, improving electronic record-keeping, expanding health savings accounts, and encouraging small businesses to band together to negotiate lower rates with health care providers. McCain campaign Web site states, "Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines, and their policy should follow them from job to job."
In the case of the Iraq war, Obama opposed use of military force in Iraq. In October 2002, when he was an Illinois state senator, Obama said, "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." Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006.
McCain voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was one of the earliest proponents of sending additional American troops to Iraq. Does not believe in setting a withdrawal timetable. During a July interview, McCain said, "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."
