FOR THOSE OF US WHO DON'T WATCH A LOT OF TELEVISION, THE WAY THIS '08 MEDIA-DRIVEN ELECTION HAS BEEN RUN, CLEAR STANCE ON ISSUES GET LOST, WITH 30-60 SECOND SOUND BYTES AND VARIOUS DEBATES WHERE NOT ALL CANDIDATES ARE INVITED, AND ALL PRESENT CANNOT ANSWER EACH QUESTION. I DON'T THINK THE PROPER WAY TO CHOOSE A CANDIDATE IS ON EMOTION OR MEDIA SOUND BYTES, BUT INSTEAD ON MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION, KNOWING THE FACTS OF HOW EACH CANDIDATE WOULD RUN OUR COUNTRY, IF ELECTED. SO, I COMPILED THIS NUTSHELL INFORMATION FOR ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED, AS I FEEL THIS 2008 ELECTION IS SO VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SURVIVAL OF OUR NATION, OUR FREEDOMS, AND THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE. ~~KAY
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HUCKABEE
Opposes abortion rights.
Opposes same-sex marriage.
Opposes federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Says "I don't think it's right to create a life to end a life. That's not a good health decision."
Supports Bush-backed immigration plan that provides a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Believes some Republican plans to deport illegal immigrants are "unworkable."
Says current HEALTH CARE system is "irrevocably broken" but opposes federally mandated universal coverage. Would encourage private sector innovation to reduce health care costs. Supports market-based approaches at the state level. Would make health care more affordable by reforming medical liability, improving electronic record-keeping, promoting portable health plans, expanding health savings accounts, making health insurance tax deductible, and offering tax credits to low income families.
Opposes reauthorization of the assault weapons ban. Opposes mandatory trigger locks for handguns. Opposes waiting periods for gun purchases. Owns a variety of firearms. NRA member. Has a concealed carry permit.
Has offered qualified support for Bush Iraq policy, saying the president has access to military and diplomatic information that is not publicly available. Opposes congressional resolutions that express opposition to the president's plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Opposes proposals to cut funding to the war.
Supported Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Proposes offering higher income retirees a one-time buyout or the opportunity to purchase a tax-free annuity with their funds in order to free up the long-term obligation of the program.
Supports proposal supporters call the "Fair Tax," which would repeal income taxes and other taxes and abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace them with a national retail sales tax. Signed a pledge not to raise taxes.
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HUNTER
Opposes abortion rights. Sponsored legislation which would define life as beginning at conception and apply constitutional protections to the unborn.
Opposes same-sex marriage and supports a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Opposes federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Supports research on adult stem cells.
Supported strict House immigration overhaul legislation that did not provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Opposes amnesty programs. Says stricter enforcement of the nation's borders is a national security issue.
Supports tax breaks to provide greater access to private sector health care plans.
Voted against the 1994 assault weapons ban. Opposed 3-day gun show background check requirement in favor of a 24-hour check. Has an A rating from the NRA.
Voted for the use of military force in Iraq. Voted against war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supported Bush plan to increase the number of American troops, but would also require increased use of Iraqi forces. Has called for the administration to update Congress on war progress every 30 days. Says the U.S. is obligated to complete its mission in Iraq.
Says he is considering all options to reform the SOCIAL SECURITY program and prevent impending insolvency. Says narrowing the trade deficit will increase workers' wages and increase the amount being paid into the system.
Supported 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Supported extending tax cuts through 2010. Co-sponsored a proposal supporters call the "Fair Tax," which would repeal income taxes and other taxes and abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace them with a national retail sales tax. Signed a pledge not to raise taxes.
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MC CAIN
Opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.
Supports definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Says individual states should decide the issue. Says a federal marriage ban might be appropriate if courts overturned state marriage laws. Supports legal benefits for same-sex partners.
Supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on embryos that would otherwise be discarded or perpetually frozen.
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. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Opposes federally mandated universal HEALTH CARE coverage. Would increase awareness and promote the use of existing children's health insurance programs while expanding community health centers. 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.
Sponsored legislation requiring background checks at gun shows. Voted against a 10-year extension of the assault weapons ban. Opposed legislation requiring trigger locks for handguns. Opposed 1994 crime bill, which contained the assault weapons ban. Has a C+ rating from the NRA.
Voted 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 an early proponent of sending additional American troops to Iraq.
Supported Bush plan to allow workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes to private retirement accounts. Opposes raising payroll taxes. Says he would appoint a bipartisan commission similar to one created by President Reagan in 1983.
Voted against 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cut laws, but later voted in favor of extending tax cuts through 2010. Says he opposes a proposal supporters call the "Fair Tax," which would repeal income taxes and other taxes and abolish the Internal Revenue, but has previously said he would sign it into law as president.
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PAUL
Opposes abortion rights, but says that the issue should be decided in the states. Supports ban on procedure opponents call "partial-birth" abortion. Says Roe v. Wade was "wrongly decided."
Supports definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, but opposes any federal marriage definition. Says that states should not be forced to recognize another state's same-sex marriage law. Opposed House measure amending the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Opposes federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Says such programs are not authorized by the Constitution, and that the issue should be left to states and private markets.
Supported strict House immigration overhaul legislation that did not provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Supports market-based reforms encouraging greater private sector competition and personal choice.
Opposed 3-day gun show background check requirement in favor of a 24-hour check. Has a B rating from the NRA.
Voted against use of military force in Iraq. Supports withdrawing troops from Iraq, but opposed war spending bill which included a plan to withdraw most U.S. troops by March 2008. Calls for repealing authority given to the president in 2002 Iraq war authorization vote. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Says military victory in Iraq is "unattainable."
Opposed Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Opposes government-run private retirement accounts. Proposes cutting payroll taxes and allowing workers to invest the money themselves. Says excessive government spending is the cause of Social Security insolvency problems. Opposes all taxation of Social Security benefits. Supports allowing young workers to opt out of the program entirely. Says the U.S. dollar must be strengthed in order to increase benefits for all workers.
Supported 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Supported extending tax cuts through 2010. Says he would vote for the proposal supporters call the "Fair Tax," which would repeal income taxes and other taxes and abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace them with a national retail sales tax. Signed a pledge not to raise taxes. Named House's "top tax cutter" by conservative Human Events magazine.
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ROMNEY
Opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest, and to protect the life of the mother. Supported abortion rights as a 1994 Senate candidate
Opposes same-sex marriage. Opposes civil unions, though had supported a Vermont-style civil unions law for Massachusetts.
Opposes federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. supports a method called "altered nuclear transfer" which does not destroy embryos. Opposes creating new embryos for research purposes. Would allow research on embryos from fertility clinics, but opposes federal funding of such research.
Opposes Bush-backed guest worker plan, saying it goes too far in expanding future immigration levels. Calls for a better system for employers to verify legal status of workers. Opposes allowing illegal immigrants to gain legal status apart from existing procedures available to all non-citizens. Opposes in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants. As governor, authorized use of state police for immigration enforcement.
Supports covering the uninsured without raising taxes or creating a government-controlled system. Encourages states to develop their own plans to cover the uninsured using market-based approaches. Supports providing greater financial assistance to help uninsured Americans buy private insurance. As governor, signed into law a universal health care plan that requires all residents to have health insurance, with premiums tied to income and subsidies for the poor.
As governor, signed into law a permanent ban on assault weapons. Supported the 1994 federal assault weapons ban. Supported the Brady Bill requiring waiting periods for handgun purchases, but says it is no longer needed due to instantaneous background checks. Joined the NRA as a lifetime member in 2006.
Supported Bush veto of Iraq war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008 at the latest. Opposes troop withdrawal. Supported the President's plan for additional troops in Iraq.
Supports private retirement accounts. Says indexing SOCIAL SECURITY benefits to prices rather than wages is worth considering for higher income Americans, but that it is "the wrong way to go" for most workers. Will not cut benefits for current seniors. Opposes raising payroll taxes. Has suggested creating an independent panel to formulate a plan to reform Social Security.
Supports making Bush tax cuts permanent. Did not support or oppose the Bush tax cuts as governor. Has not endorsed the proposal supporters call the "Fair Tax," which would repeal income taxes and other taxes and abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace them with a national retail sales tax. Says the economic impact would have to be studied before instituting such a major change to the tax system. Would eliminate estate taxes and taxes on interest dividends and capital gains. Signed a pledge not to raise taxes.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THOMPSON
Opposes abortion rights. Says Roe v. Wade is a "bad law" and "bad medical science."
Opposes same-sex marriage. Personally opposes civil unions, but says the issue should be left to states.
Opposes federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Supports research on adult stem cells.
Supports stricter enforcement of existing laws to prevent future influx of illegal immigrants. Opposes blanket amnesty programs, but willing to consider allowing some illegal immigrants to earn citizenship without being unfair to those here legally. Supports expanding visa program for skilled workers.
Opposes federally mandated universal HEALTH CARE coverage. Says Democratic plans would be expensive, inefficient and promote inadequate care. Would promote prevention programs, chronic care management, and personal responsibility. Calls for improvements in technology, research, and other innovations. Supports market-based approaches that reduce costs by promoting competition and consumer choice.
Opposed the 1994 federal assault weapons ban and opposes a 10-year extension of the ban. Opposed 3-day gun show background check requirement in favor of a 24-hour check. Opposes mandatory trigger locks for handguns. Says gun-control measures do not reduce crime.
Voted for use of military force in Iraq. Supports Bush Iraq policy, but says U.S. entered war with too few troops and wrong strategy.
Proposes plan to offer private retirement accounts as part of the Social Security program, and to index benefits to price inflation rather than to wages. Will not cut benefits for those now over the age of 57. Voted in favor of using budget surplus funds to create a private savings account program as a supplement to Social Security.
Voted in favor of 2001 Bush tax cut law. Has not endorsed or opposed the proposal supporters call the "Fair Tax," which would repeal income taxes and other taxes and abolish the Internal Revenue Service and replace them with a national retail sales tax. Says he would consider replacing the current income tax system with a retail sales tax. Says he would dissolve the Internal Revenue Service "as we know it."
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COMPILED FROM INFORMATION ON http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: GIULANNI IS NOT LISTED HERE BECAUSE I INITALLY COMPILED THIS "ISSUES AT A GLANCE" FOR MYSELF, AND IN MOST INSTANCES HE AGREES WITH DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES, SO I DIDN'T CONSIDER HIM SINCE I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT FEDERAL GOV'T CONTROLLED AGENDA FOR OUR COUNTRY. FOR THOSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIS STANCE ON ISSUES, THEY ARE LISTED ON THE LINK ABOVE. ALSO TANCREDO IS NOT LISTED AS HE HAS PULLED OUT OF THE RACE.
ALSO, DUNCAN HUNTER IS INCLUDED BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN MY CANDIDATE OF CHOICE ON THE ISSUES. AND, WITH THE PRIMARY DELEGATES OF THE FRONTRUNNER ROMNEY BEING ONLY 66 OUT OF A NEEDED 1191, I STILL STUBBORNLY CONSIDER DUNCAN HUNTER A WRITE-IN POSSIBILITY. I AM PERSONALLY AND CURRENTLY WEEDING OUT POSSIBILITIES FOR A SECOND CHOICE THAT HAVE A CONNECTION TO THE (CFR) COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS AND THE GLOBALIST AGENDA, AS I AM A SUPPORTER OF AMERICA'S NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY, MORE "STATES RIGHTS" AND LESS SOCIALISTIC FEDERAL MANDATES. ALSO, AS A MEMBER OF NRA IN 2007, I SUPPORT GUN OWNERSHIP. THE FIRST THING HITLER DID WAS DISARM THE PUBLIC. AND AS A FOOTNOTE ON THE ABORTION ISSUE, TO ME THE STANCE OF SUPPORTING IT "IN CASES OF RAPE, INCEST OR THE MOTHER'S HEALTH" ETC., WHILE SOUNDING GOOD, HAVE BEEN GROSSLY ABUSED BY PHYSICIANS FOR DECADES BY THE MILLIONS.
THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT A FREE PEOPLE IS THAT WE CAN STILL VOICE OUR INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS WITHOUT FEAR OF RETRUBITION, AND ARE FREE TO VOTE OUR CONSCIENCE. AS TINY TIM WOULD SAY, "GOD BLESS US, EVERY ONE."~~Kay