I’m an independent and I know where the candidates stand on most issues (including Clinton even though she is out, except for a possible VP spot)
off the top of my head:
Taxes/Economy: Obama/Clinton want to let the Bush tax cuts expire in 2010. Those making $250K or more will see a tax hike basically back to the Bill Clinton years. (BTW. capital gains will go from 15% which what it is now to 39.5%)
McCain wants to keep/extend the current Bush tax cuts and revamp the tax system to a more simple one. However, McCain is rather weak when it comes to economic issues but does hate taxes; he wants a permenent ban on Internet taxes and the new cell phone tax. He’ll reduce the corporate tax rate from 35% to 25%.
The War: McCain wants to stay, Obama/Clinton want the troops out and force the Iraqis to take responsibility and focus efforts on finding Al Qaeda/Bin Ladden.
Immigration: All three want a “comprehensive immigration” policy (which is the first words out of their mouths when asked about immigration). FYI: There are currently about 10 guest worker programs already on the books. The people want border security first then a comprehensive immigration policy to deal with the estimated 12 million undocumented. McCain/Kennedy (and our old friend Senator Kyl) drafted that immigration bill a year ago May that never got voted on after most of the Senate and House members got blasted by their constituents.
Healthcare: Obama/Clinton want Nationalized healthcare (they want to open up the same plan they get in the Senate to the general population). McCain wants to let market competition decide. All three would provide tax credits/breaks to offset the high cost of health insurance.
Energy: Obama/Clinton want to go green and create millions of new jobs. McCain proposed the 18 cents summer holiday tax-break nonsense. Clinton agreed, Obama didn’t. Democrats as a whole are pretty much against drilling in Anwar and Nuclear Power. Republicans for them.
McCain hates earmarks and has never snuck one in a bill in since becoming a senator (1986) while Clinton if I remember correctly earmarked about 340 million worth and Obama about 91 million. Neither the biggest offenders however.
What is funny is all three talk changing Washington – Aren’t they part of Washington? All in the Senate? So what is stopping them now?
I hear the Democrats are destined to win big in both houses and if they get the presidency then major policies/direction will change otherwise expect more of the same.
Most of the time gridlock is best but in these critical times a drastic change in policy/direction is clearly needed. Bush/Cheney and the rest of the boys club have been partying on the peoples’ dime way too long.
Slotplayer