Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats
This 28-page-long chart offers comparisons of how the three major
parties (Republican, Democrat, and Green) present their stand on the
issues. I tried to take material from neutral third-parties, but it was
difficult to find information about policy stands. So, I finally went to the
campaign web pages and just copied the stuff the candidates put up
there. For the Green Party I was copying a draft of the official Green
Party Platform (not a final platform).
The section from page 8-19 on the economy is rather long, but it has
more to do with social welfare than some of the other positions.
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
Eight issues and platforms of political parties.
Issue Republicans Democrats Green
Education Excellence, choice, and competition in Early Childhood Education The failing report card of American education is
American education. John McCain believes troubling for almost every American. Who fails to
American education must be worthy of the Zero to Five Plan: Obama's comprehensive see the connection between our investment in
promise we make to our children and education and our success as a people? Who
"Zero to Five" plan will provide critical support believes there is no relation between personal
ourselves. He understands that we are a achievement and a quality education -- and
nation committed to equal opportunity, and to young children and their parents. Unlike
education that teaches creative and critical
there is no equal opportunity without equal other early childhood education plans, Obama's thinking skills and a respect for lifelong learning?
access to excellent education.
plan places key emphasis at early care and
John McCain believes American education Access to quality education for all Americans is
must be worthy of the promise we make to education for infants, which is essential for the difference that will lead to a strong and
our children and ourselves. He understands children to be ready to enter kindergarten. diverse community. Fundamental changes in our
that we are a nation committed to equal priorities are needed at the national and local
Obama will create Early Learning Challenge levels, within the public and private sectors, in the
opportunity, and there is no equal
Grants to promote state "zero to five" efforts classroom, and at home to make education our
opportunity without equal access to first priority.
excellent education.
Public education and help states move toward voluntary,
should be defined as one in which our public Greens support educational diversity. We hold no
universal pre-school.
support for a child's education follows that dogma absolute, continually striving for truth in
child into the school the parent chooses. The the realm of ideas. We open ourselves,
school is charged with the responsibility of Expand Early Head Start and Head Start: consciously and intuitively, to truth and beauty in
educating the child, and must have the the world of nature. We view learning as a lifelong
Obama will quadruple Early Head Start, increase process to which all people have an equal right.
resources and management authority to
deliver on that responsibility. They must Head Start funding and improve quality for
Education starts with choice, and within public
also report to the parents and the public on both. education we believe in broad choices. Magnet
their progress.
The deplorable status of schools, Site-based Management, Schools within
preparation for our children, particularly in Schools, alternative models, and parental
comparison with the rest of the Affordable, High-Quality Child Care:
involvement are ways in which elementary
industrialized world, does not allow us the Obama will also provide affordable and high- education can be changed to make a real
luxury of eliminating options in our quality child care to ease the burden on
difference in the lives of our children. Curricula
educational repertoire. John McCain will should focus on skills - both basic skills that serve
fight for the ability of all students to have working families. as a solid foundation for higher learning, and
access to all schools of demonstrated exploratory approaches that expand horizons,
such as distance learning, interactive education,
excellence, including their own K-12 computer proficiency, perspectives that bring an
homes.
No Child Left Behind has enriched awareness of nature (biological literacy),
focused our attention on the realities of how Reform No Child Left Behind: Obama will intercultural experiences, and languages.
students perform against a common
reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law.
standard. John McCain believes that we can Greens view learning as a lifelong and life-
no longer accept low standards for some Obama believes teachers should not be forced affirming process. In learning, and openness to
students and high standards for others. In to spend the academic year preparing students learning, we create the foundation of our platform.
this age of honest reporting, we finally see
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
what is happening to students who were to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will We advocate creative and noncompetitive
previously invisible. While that is progress education at every age level, and the inclusion of
improve the assessments used to track student cultural diversity in all curricula. We encourage
all its own, it compels us to seek and find
solutions to the dismal facts before progress to measure readiness for college and hands-on approaches that promote a multitude of
individual learning styles.
us.
John McCain believes our schools the workplace and improve student learning in Parental responsibility should be encouraged by
can and should compete to be the most supporting parenting, as more families confront
innovative, flexible and student-centered - a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also
economic conditions that demand more time be
not safe havens for the uninspired and improve NCLB's accountability system so that spent away from home. Parents should be as
unaccountable. He believes we should let we are supporting schools that need involved as possible in their children's education;
them compete for the most effective, values do start with parents. Teaching human
character-building teachers, hire them, and improvement, rather than punishing them. sexuality is a parental and school responsibility.
reward them.
If a school will not change, Student responsibility is a key to developing
the students should be able to change capabilities. Greens hold strongly to the
Make Math and Science Education a empowerment of individuals. Students should
schools. John McCain believes parents
National Priority: Obama will recruit math and recognize their own personal responsibilities and
should be empowered with school choice to strive to achieve their fullest potential as
send their children to the school that can science degree graduates to the teaching individuals.
best educate them just as many members of profession and will support efforts to help these Federal policy on education should act principally
Congress do with their own children. He to ensure equal access to a quality education.
finds it beyond hypocritical that many of teachers learn from professionals in the field. He Educational funding formulas at the state level
those who would refuse to allow public will also work to ensure that all children have need to be adjusted as needed to avoid gross
school parents to choose their child's school inequalities between districts and schools.
access to a strong science curriculum at all Educational grants should provide balance to
would never agree to force their own
children into a school that did not work or grade levels. ensure equal educational access for minority,
deprived, special needs, and exceptional children.
was unsafe. They can make another choice. In higher education, federal college scholarship
John McCain believes that is a fundamental Address the Dropout Crisis: Obama will aid should be increased and offered to any
and essential right we should honor for all qualified student.
address the dropout crisis by passing his
parents.
As president, John McCain will Our teachers are underpaid, overworked and
pursue reforms that address the underlying legislation to provide funding to school districts rarely supplied with the resources necessary to do
cultural problems in our education system - to invest in intervention strategies in middle
their work. It is time to stop disinvesting in
a system that still seeks to avoid genuine education, and start placing it at the top of our
school - strategies such as personal academic social and economic agenda.
accountability and responsibility for
We call for equitable state and national funding for
producing well-educated children.
John plans, teaching teams, parent involvement,
education and the creation of schools controlled
McCain will place parents and children at mentoring, intensive reading and math by parent-teacher governing bodies.
the center of the education process, We oppose vouchers, or any scheme that will
empowering parents by greatly expanding instruction, and extended learning time.
transfer money out of the public school system.
the ability of parents to choose among That course only leads to a separate and unequal
schools for their children. He believes all Expand High-Quality Afterschool educational system. We also oppose charter
federal financial support must be predicated schools or the administration of public schools by
Opportunities: Obama will double funding for private, for-profit entities.
on providing parents the ability to move
the main federal support for afterschool We support after-school programs for "latchkey"
their children, and the dollars associated
children.
with them, from failing school. programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers We advocate state funding for day care that
program, to serve one million more children. includes school children under the age of ten
McCain will not answer Project Vote Smart’s when after-school programs are not available.
questions about his positions on issues, but Classroom teachers at the elementary and high
Vote Smart has studied his past votes and Expand Summer Learning Opportunities: school levels should be given professional status
speeches and says he would support the and salaries comparable to related professions
Obama's "STEP UP" plan addresses the
following: requiring advanced education, training and
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
Support national standards for and testing achievement gap by supporting summer responsibility.
of public school students. Principals are also essential components in
Allow parents to use vouchers (equal learning opportunities for disadvantaged effective educational institutions. We encourage
opportunity scholarships) to send their children through partnerships between local state Departments of Education and school
children to any public school. boards to deliver more programmatic support and
schools and community organizations. decision-making to the true grassroots level- the
Allow parents to use vouchers (equal
opportunity scholarships) to send their classroom teacher and school principal.
Use of computers in the early grades should not
children to any private or religious school. Support College Outreach Programs: supplant the development of basic interpersonal,
Allow teachers and professionals to receive
Obama supports outreach programs like GEAR perceptual, and motor skills as a foundation for
authorization and funding to establish learning.
charter schools. UP, TRIO and Upward Bound to encourage Dispute resolution is an important part of resolving
Increase funding for block grants to states more young people from low-income families to classroom or after-school disputes, and a life skill
to aid in the hiring of additional teachers. that all children should learn. We call for the
Support teacher testing and reward consider and prepare for college. teaching of non-violent conflict resolution at all
teachers with merit pay. levels of education.
Increase funding for school capital We recognize the viable alternative of home-
Support English Language Learners:
improvements (e.g. buildings, based education.
infrastructure, technology). Obama supports transitional bilingual education We support a host of innovative and critical
Increase funding of programs such as Pell and will help Limited English Proficient students
educational efforts, such as bi-lingual education,
grants and Stafford loans to help continuing education, job retraining, mentoring
students pay for college. get ahead by holding schools accountable for and apprenticeship programs.
Support federal tax incentives to help We are deeply concerned about the intervention
making sure these students complete school.
families save for college. in our schools of corporations that promote a
culture of consumption and waste. Schools should
Recruit, Prepare, Retain, and Reward not be vehicles for commercial advertising.
Schools must safeguard students' privacy rights
America's Teachers and not make private student information
available on corporate (or federal government)
Recruit Teachers: Obama will create new request.
Teacher Service Scholarships that will cover four Within higher education, we oppose military and
corporate control over the priorities and topics of
years of undergraduate or two years of academic research.
graduate teacher education, including high- We support tuition-free post secondary (collegiate
and vocational) public education.
quality alternative programs for mid-career In an economy that demands higher skills and a
recruits in exchange for teaching for at least democracy that depends on an informed,
educated electorate, opportunities for universal
four years in a high-need field or location. higher education and life-long learning must be
vastly expanded.
Until tuition-free schooling is available to all,
Prepare Teachers: Obama will require all student loans should be available to all students
schools of education to be accredited. He will attending college, and should be repayable as a
proportion of future earnings rather than at a fixed
also create a voluntary national performance rate.
assessment so we can be sure that every new Individualized training accounts should be made
available to students who choose to pursue
educator is trained and ready to walk into the vocational and continuing education.
classroom and start teaching effectively. Obama The Leave No Child Behind Act must be repealed,
especially the section that gives the military
will also create Teacher Residency Programs access to student records.
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
that will supply 30,000 exceptionally well-
prepared recruits to high-need schools.
Retain Teachers: To support our teachers,
Obama's plan will expand mentoring programs
that pair experienced teachers with new recruits.
He will also provide incentives to give teachers
paid common planning time so they can
collaborate to share best practices.
Reward Teachers: Obama will promote new
and innovative ways to increase teacher pay
that are developed with teachers, not imposed
on them. Districts will be able to design
programs that reward accomplished educators
who serve as a mentor to new teachers with a
salary increase. Districts can reward teachers
who work in underserved places like rural areas
and inner cities. And if teachers consistently
excel in the classroom, that work can be valued
and rewarded as well.
Higher Education
Create the American Opportunity Tax
Credit: Obama will make college affordable for
all Americans by creating a new American
Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully
refundable credit will ensure that the first
$4,000 of a college education is completely free
for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds
the cost of tuition at the average public college
or university and make community college
tuition completely free for most students.
Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
available to families at the time of enrollment
by using prior year's tax data to deliver the
credit when tuition is due.
Simplify the Application Process for Financial
Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid
process by eliminating the current federal
financial aid application and enabling families to
apply simply by checking a box on their tax
form, authorizing their tax information to be
used, and eliminating the need for a separate
application.
Obama will not answer Project Vote Smart’s
questions about his positions on issues, but
Vote Smart has studied his past votes and
speeches and says he would support the
following:
Increase state funds for professional
development of public school teachers
and administrators.
Encourage private or corporate investment
in public school programs.
Favor charter schools where independent
groups receive state authorization and
funding to establish new schools.
Increase state funds for school construction
and facility maintenance.
Fund public school education in Illinois by
increasing certain state taxes and
decreasing local property taxes.
Provide state-funded tuition and fees to any
Illinois student who attends a public
college or university as long as they
maintain a B average.
War in Iraq Strategy for Victory in Iraq Barack Obama's Plan The U.S. is prohibited under
The Importance of Succeeding Judgment You Can Trust international law and under the U.N.
In 2002, as the conventional thinking in Washington lined up with Charter, from pre-emptive or
John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the President Bush for war, Obama had the judgment and courage to speak
United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of out against going to war, and to warn of ―an occupation of undetermined preventive invasion of another
governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.‖ He is nation. The invasion and occupation
those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has fully committed to ending the war in Iraq as president.
occurred. A Responsible, Phased Withdrawal
of Iraq in 2003 is illegal.
Barack Obama believes we must be as careful getting out of Iraq as we
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
It would be a grave mistake to leave before Al Qaeda in Iraq is defeated were careless getting in. Immediately upon taking office, Obama will give g) The Green Party demands:
and before a competent, trained, and capable Iraqi security force is in his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq:
place and operating effectively. We must help the Government of Iraq ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and 1) Immediate cessation of U.S.
battle those who provoke sectarian tensions and promote a civil war that phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in combat operations in Iraq and
could destabilize the Middle East. Iraq must not become a failed state, a consultation with the Iraqi government. Military experts believe we can
haven for terrorists, or a pawn of Iran. These likely consequences of safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of 1 to 2 brigades a Afghanistan.
America's failure in Iraq almost certainly would either require us to month that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the 2) Complete withdrawal of U.S.
return or draw us into a wider and far costlier war. summer of 2010 – more than 7 years after the war began.
Under the Obama plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the
military forces and mercenaries,
The best way to secure long-term peace and security is to establish a region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in under safe conditions and U.N.
stable, prosperous, and democratic state in Iraq that poses no threat to Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel. He will supervision.
its neighbors and contributes to the defeat of terrorists. When Iraqi forces not build permanent bases in Iraq, but will continue efforts to train and
can safeguard their own country, American troops can return home. support the Iraqi security forces as long as Iraqi leaders move toward 3) The U.S. may not maintain
political reconciliation and away from sectarianism. military bases in Iraq or
Support the Successful Counterinsurgency Strategy Encouraging Political Accommodation
Barack Obama believes that the U.S. must apply pressure on the Iraqi Afghanistan.
John McCain has been a leading advocate of the ―surge‖ and the government to work toward real political accommodation. There is no 4) Given the scale of destruction by
counterinsurgency strategy carried out by General David Petraeus. At the military solution to Iraq’s political differences, but the Bush
end of 2006, four years of a badly conceived military strategy that Administration’s blank check approach has failed to press Iraq’s leaders to
the U.S. military and its civilian
concentrated American troops on large bases brought us near to the point take responsibility for their future or to substantially spend their oil contractors in Iraq and
of no return. Sectarian violence in Iraq was spiraling out of control. Al revenues on their own reconstruction.
Qaeda in Iraq was on the offensive. Entire provinces were under Obama's plan offers the best prospect for lasting stability in Iraq. A
Afghanistan, the U.S. must
extremists’ control and were deemed all but lost. At that critical moment, phased withdrawal will encourage Iraqis to take the lead in securing their recognize and honor its obligation to
John McCain supported sending reinforcements to Iraq to implement a own country and making political compromises, while the responsible pace fund the reconstruction and
classic counterinsurgency strategy of securing the population. of redeployment called for by Obama’s plan offers more than enough time
for Iraqi leaders to get their own house in order. As our forces redeploy, rebuilding of
That strategy has paid off. From June 2007 through March 2008, Obama will make sure we engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi infrastructure and institutions in
sectarian and ethnic violence in Iraq was reduced by 90 percent. Civilian society—in and out of government—to forge compromises on oil
deaths and deaths of coalition forces fell by 70 percent. This has opened revenue sharing, the equitable provision of services, federalism, the status those nations.
the way for a return to something that approaches normal political and of disputed territories, new elections, aid to displaced Iraqis, and the 5) As the invading nation, the U.S.
economic life for the average Iraqi. Political reconciliation is occurring reform of Iraqi security forces.
across Iraq at the local and provincial grassroots level. Sunni and Shi'a Surging Diplomacy
must secure the return of displaced
chased from their homes by terrorist and sectarian violence are returning. Barack Obama will launch an aggressive diplomatic effort to reach a refugees in Iraq and Afghanistan
The "Sons of Iraq" and Awakening movements, where former Sunni comprehensive compact on the stability of Iraq and the region. This effort and repair their infrastructure and
insurgents have now joined in the fight against Al Qaeda, continue to will include all of Iraq’s neighbors—including Iran and Syria, as
grow. suggested by the bi-partisan The Iraq Study Group Report. This compact rebuild their homes.
will aim to secure Iraq’s borders; keep neighboring countries from
Those gains would be lost if we were to follow the policy advocated by meddling inside Iraq; isolate al Qaeda; support reconciliation among Iraq’s
Senator Barack Obama to withdraw most of our troops and leave behind sectarian groups; and provide financial support for Iraq’s reconstruction
only a small ―strike force‖ to battle terrorists. That is, in essence, the and development.
same strategy of withdrawing from Iraq’s streets that failed in 2006. John Preventing Humanitarian Crisis
McCain advocates continuing the successful counterinsurgency strategy that Barack Obama believes that America has both a moral obligation and a
began in 2007. responsibility for security that demands we confront Iraq’s humanitarian
crisis—more than five million Iraqis are refugees or are displaced inside
Push for Political Reconciliation and Good Government their own country. Obama will form an international working group to
address this crisis. He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services
Thanks to the success of the surge, Iraq's political order is evolving in to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside
positive and hopeful ways. Four out of the six laws cited as benchmarks their own country can find sanctuary. Obama would also work with Iraqi
by the U.S. have been passed by the Iraqi legislature. A law on amnesty authorities and the international community to hold the perpetrators of
Page 7 of 31
Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
and a law rolling back some of the harsher restrictions against former potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide accountable.
employees of the Iraqi government have made it possible for Iraqis to He would reserve the right to intervene militarily, with our international
move toward genuine reconciliation. The legislature has devolved greater partners, to suppress potential genocidal violence within Iraq.
power to local and provincial authorities, where much of the real work of The Status-of-Forces-Agreement
rebuilding Iraq is taking place. Obama believes any Status of Forces Agreement, or any strategic
framework agreement, should be negotiated in the context of a broader
More progress is necessary. The government must improve its ability to commitment by the U.S. to begin withdrawing its troops and forswearing
serve all Iraqis. A key test for the Iraqi government will be finding jobs permanent bases. Obama also believes that any security accord must be
in the security services and the civilian sector for the ―Sons of Iraq‖ who subject to Congressional approval. It is unacceptable that the Iraqi
have risked so much to battle terrorists. government will present the agreement to the Iraqi parliament for
approval—yet the Bush administration will not do the same with the
Iraq will conduct two landmark elections in the near future – one for U.S. Congress. The Bush administration must submit the agreement to
provincial governments in late 2008 and the other for the national Congress or allow the next administration to negotiate an agreement that
government in 2009. John McCain believes we should welcome a larger has bipartisan support here at home and makes absolutely clear that the
United Nations role in supporting the elections. The key condition for U.S. will not maintain permanent bases in Iraq.
successful elections is for American troops to continue to work with brave
Iraqis to allow the voting to take place in relative freedom and security.
Iraqis need to know that the U.S. will not abandon them, but will
continue to press their politicians to show the necessary leadership to
help develop their country.
Get Iraq's Economy Back on its Feet
John McCain believes that economic progress is essential to sustaining
security gains in Iraq. Markets that were once silent and deserted have
come back to life in many areas, but high unemployment rates continue
to fuel criminal and insurgent violence. To move young men away from
the attractions of well-funded extremists, we need a vibrant, growing Iraqi
economy. The Iraqi government can jump-start this process by using a
portion of its budget surplus to employ Iraqis in infrastructure projects
and in restoring basic services.
The international community should bolster proven microfinance programs
to spur local-level entrepreneurship throughout the country. Iraq's Arab
neighbors, in particular, should promote regional stability by directly
investing the fruits of their oil exports in Iraq. As these efforts begin to
take hold in Iraq, the private sector, as always, will create the jobs and
propel the growth that will end reliance on outside aid. Iraq’s government
needs support to better deliver basic services—clean water, garbage
collection, abundant electricity, and, above all, a basic level of security—
that create a climate where the Iraqi economy creation can flourish.
Call for International Pressure on Syria and Iran
Syria and Iran have aided and abetted the violence in Iraq for too long.
Syria has refused to crack down on Iraqi insurgents and foreign terrorists
operating within its territory. Iran has been providing the most extreme
and violent Shia militias with training, weapons, and technology that kill
American and Iraqi troops. American military spokesmen have also said
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
there is evidence that Iran has provided aid to Sunni insurgents.
The answer is not unconditional dialogues with these two dictatorships
from a position of weakness. The answer is for the international
community to apply real pressure to Syria and Iran to change their
behavior. The United States must also bolster its regional military posture
to make clear to Iran our determination to protect our forces and deter
Iranian intervention.
Level with the American People
John McCain believes it is essential to be honest with the American people
about the opportunities and risks that lie ahead. The American people
deserve the truth from their leaders. They deserve a candid assessment of
the progress made in the last year, of the serious difficulties that remain,
and of the grave consequences of a reckless and irresponsible withdrawal.
Many Americans have given their lives so that America does not suffer the
worst consequences of failure in Iraq. Doing the right thing in the heat of
a political campaign is not always easy. But it is necessary.
John McCain on the Road Ahead
―I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than
necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that can
stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace
in its neighborhood. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American
troops. And I believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than
many imagine. But I do not believe that anyone should make promises as
a candidate for President that they cannot keep if elected. To promise a
withdrawal of our forces from Iraq, regardless of the calamitous
consequences to the Iraqi people, our most vital interests, and the future
of the Middle East, is the height of irresponsibility. It is a failure of
leadership. ―
―I know the pain war causes. I understand the frustration caused by our
mistakes in this war. And I regret sincerely the additional sacrifices
imposed on the brave Americans who defend us. But I also know the toll
a lost war takes on an army and on our country's security. By giving
General Petraeus and the men and women he has the honor to command
the time and support necessary to succeed in Iraq we have before us a
hard road. But it is the right road. It is necessary and just. Those who
disregard the unmistakable progress we have made in the last year and
the terrible consequences that would ensue were we to abandon our
responsibilities in Iraq have chosen another road. It may appear to be
the easier course of action, but it is a much more reckless one, and it
does them no credit even if it gives them an advantage in the next
election.‖ –John McCain
Death Penalty McCain says he would support the use of Obama does not oppose the death penalty. He also does not Abolish the death penalty.
Page 9 of 31
Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
the death penalty for federal crimes. support any expansion of the use of the death penalty.
Economy Workplace Flexibility and Choice Barack Obama's Plan Ecological and Economic Sustainability,
John McCain understands that today’s changing economy is making it balancing the interests of a regulated market
harder for parents to balance the demands of family life and their jobs. economy and community-based economics with
Jumpstart the Economy
He believes that strong families require that parents be involved in the effective care for the ecosystems of the Earth.
Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy
lives of their children. Flexible work arrangements can help families strike
Rebate to American Families:Barack Obama will enact a windfall profits Ecological and Economic Sustainability,
the right balance.
tax on excessive oil company profits to give American families an balancing the interests of a regulated market
immediate $1,000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay rising economy and
John McCain was proud to support the Family Medical Leave Act in 1993
bills. This relief would be a down payment on Obama's long-term plan to community-based economics with effective care
that ensured men and women are able to take leave to care for a
provide middle-class families with at least $1,000 per year in permanent for the Great Economy in which we are
newborn child, adopt a child or care for an immediate family member
tax relief. embedded: the ecosystems of the Earth.
with a serious health condition and return to a position that is
Provide $50 billion to Jumpstart the Economy and Prevent 1 Million ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
substantially equal in pay, benefits, and responsibility. This was a needed
Americans from Losing Their Jobs: This relief would include a $25 billion No economic system is sustainable unless it accommodates the ecosystems
minimum standard to ensure that parents were not penalized for making
State Growth Fund to prevent state and local cuts in health, education, on which it depends. Our current system—based on the notion of
the important decision to raise a family.
housing, and heating assistance or counterproductive increases in property perpetual economic expansion on a finite planet—is seriously flawed. We
taxes, tolls or fees. Obama’s relief plan will also include $25 billion in a urgently need to apply human ingenuity to the goal of using far less
John McCain co-sponsored the Family Friendly Workplace Act, which
Jobs and Growth Fund to prevent cutbacks in road and bridge from nature to meet our needs, which is a different goal from exploiting
sought to allow employers to provide flexible work schedules to help
maintenance and fund school re pair - all to save more than 1 million nature and Third World people so that we can meet the invented and
employees balance the demands and needs of work and family, such as
jobs in danger of being cut. implanted false ―needs‖ that advertisers continually push at us in a grow-
allowing employees to take compensatory time-off rather than be paid
Provide Middle Class Americans Tax Relief or-die type of economy. We need to acquire the ability to distinguish
overtime and to work more than 40 hours in one week and
Obama will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families to offset the between need and greed, in spite of what the media assure us we
correspondingly less in another week.
payroll tax they pay. ―need.‖ We also need to restore a progressive tax structure, rather than
Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama will restore fairness to continuing to move money toward the top echelons of society while
John McCain also understands that our changing economy forces many
the tax code and provide 150 million workers the tax relief they need. squeezing everyone else. Such a restoration, plus the end to the
families to deal with the disruptions that come with a job change. He
Obama will create a new "Making Work Pay" tax credit of up to $500 bankrupting military adventurism and imperial designs, would significantly
believes that families should be able to hold onto the health and
per person, or $1,000 per working family. The "Making Work Pay" tax reduce the huge federal deficit that has been imposed on the American
retirement benefits that they have chosen. He also believes that workers
credit will completely eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans. people since 2000.
should be able to choose new training that fits their personal situation so
Eliminate Income Taxes for Seniors Making Less than $50,000: Barack
that they can build new skills as their careers change.
Obama will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than Foremost, the Green Party stands for community-based economics and
$50,000 per year. This proposal will eliminate income taxes for 7 million regional trade. We believe that the only model of true economic security
John McCain believes that to keep America competitive in the world
seniors and provide these seniors with an average savings of $1,400 each is for a community and area to be largely (not entirely) self-sufficient in
economy, employers need to be able to attract and retain workers. This
year. Under the Obama plan, 27 million American seniors will also not the production of its necessities. Through foreign trade, they can then
requires employers to offer flexible work arrangements and allow workers
need to file an income tax return. export that which is extra, and that which they could afford to lose
to bring their health and retirement benefits with them or choose new
Simplify Tax Filings for Middle Class Americans: Obama will dramatically should environmental disasters, social unrest in their trading partners’
plans.
simplify tax filings so that millions of Americans will be able to do their countries, or other disruptions disturb the flow of their trade.
taxes in less than five minutes. Obama will ensure that the IRS uses the
John McCain also believes that as our workforce ages, many older
information it already gets from banks and employers to give taxpayers We support not the corporate dominance of ―free trade‖—which,
Americans want to continue to stay in jobs. These workers have the
the option of pre-filled tax forms to verify, sign and return. Experts through the machinations of the World Trade Organization places the
experience and skills that help keep America competitive. More flexible
estimate that the Obama proposal will save Americans up to 200 million desires of transnational corporations above the level of national laws—
work arrangements would enable these workers to continue their careers
total hours of work and aggravation and up to $2 billion in tax preparer but true ―fair trade,‖ which protects communities, labor, and the
and help keep our economy competitive.
fees. environment. Communitybased economics and regional trade keep money
Trade circulating largely in the community and the region, rather than going to
John McCain is calling for National Commission on Workplace Flexibility
Obama believes that trade with foreign nations should strengthen the distant corporate headquarters as soon as a purchase is made. This is the
and Choice. This Commission would bring together a bi-partisan set of
American economy and create more American jobs. He will stand firm most rational model for economic security. It includes family farms and
leaders representing workers, small and large employers, labor, and
against agreements that undermine our economic security. community-supported agriculture, farmers’ markets, credit unions,
academics. The Commission would make recommendations to the
Fight for Fair Trade: Obama will fight for a trade policy that opens up nonprofit community-development corporations, incubator programs to aid
President on how modernizing our nation’s labor laws and training
foreign markets to support good American jobs. He will use trade start-up small businesses, apprenticeship programs in local businesses,
programs can help workers better balance the demands of their job with
agreements to spread good labor and environmental standards around the local currency, community-focused banks, and trade with adjacent regions.
family life and to enable workers to more easily transition between jobs.
world and stand firm against agreements like the Central American Free Consumers in this type of market economy prefer to patronize locally
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
Trade Agreement that fail to live up to those important benchmarks. owned businesses because each purchase has a positive rippling effect in
The Commission would examine the following issues that John McCain Obama will also pressure the World Trade Organization to enforce trade the community. Unlike other political parties in the modern era, the
believes are important to workplace flexibility and choice: agreements and stop countries from continuing unfair government Green Party views (even community-based) economics not as an end in
subsidies to foreign exporters and nontariff barriers on U.S. exports. itself but as a service to community development through the building
Modernizing the nation’s labor laws so that they allow for more flexible Amend the North American Free Trade Agreement: Obama believes that and strengthening of community bonds that constitute the social fabric.
scheduling arrangements NAFTA and its potential were oversold to the American people. Obama
will work with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to fix NAFTA so that it We can learn from indigenous people who believe that the Earth and its
Ensuring that the nation’s labor laws don’t get in the way of working at works for American workers. natural systems are to be respected and cared for in accordance with
home Improve Transition Assistance: To help all workers adapt to a rapidly ecological principles. Concepts of ownership should be employed in the
changing economy, Obama would update the existing system of Trade context of stewardship, and social and ecological responsibility. We
Promoting telework so that workers can spend less time commuting Adjustment Assistance by extending it to service industries, creating support environmental and social responsibility in all businesses, whether
flexible education accounts to help workers retrain, and providing privately or publicly owned.
Making health more portable so that workers don’t lose their benefits retraining assistance for workers in sectors of the economy vulnerable to
when they switch jobs dislocation before they lose their jobs. Ecological Economics
End Tax Breaks for Companies that Send Jobs Overseas: Barack Obama To create an enduring society we must devise a system of production and
Ensuring that workers can choose retirement plans that best suit their believes that companies should not get billions of dollars in tax commerce where every act is sustainable and restoraable. We believe that
needs deductions for moving their operations overseas. Obama will also fight to all business has a social contract with society and the environment—in
ensure that public contracts are awarded to companies that are effect a fiduciary responsibility—and that the concepts of socially
Providing workers with more choice in job training assistance so that they committed to American workers. responsible business and shareholder democracy can be models for
can build the skills they need for new and better jobs Reward Companies that Support American Workers: Barack Obama prospering, successful business.
introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 with Senators Richard Durbin
Gas and Food Prices (D-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to reward companies that create good We call for an economic system that is based on a combination of
John McCain will help Americans hurting from high gasoline and food jobs with good benefits for American workers. The legislation would private businesses, decentralized democratic cooperatives, publicly owned
costs. Americans need relief right now from high gas prices. John McCain provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number enterprises, and alternative economic structures. Collectively, this system
will act immediately to reduce the pain of high gas prices. of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain puts human and ecological needs alongside profits to measure success,
their corporate headquarters in America if it has ever been in America; and maintains accountability to communities.
John McCain believes we should send a strong message to world markets. pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health Community-based economics constitutes an alternative to both corporate
Under his plan, the United States will be telling oil producing countries insurance; and support employees who serve in the military. capitalism and state socialism. It values diversity and decentralization.
and oil speculators that our dependence on foreign oil will come to an Invest in the Manufacturing Sector and Create 5 Million New Green Jobs Recognition of limits is central to this system. The drive to accumulate
end - and the impact will be lower prices at the pump. Invest in our Next Generation Innovators and Job Creators: Obama will power and wealth is a pernicious characteristic of a civilization headed in
create an Advanced Manufacturing Fund to identify and invest in the most a pathological direction. Greens advocate that economic relations become
John McCain's policies will increase the value of the dollar and thus compelling advanced manufacturing strategies. The Fund will have a peer- more direct, more cooperative, and more egalitarian.
reduce the price of oil. In recent years, the declining value of the dollar review selection and award process based on the Michigan 21st Century
has added to the cost of imported oil. This will change. Americans will Jobs Fund, a state-level initiative that has awarded over $125 million to Humanizing economic relations is just one aspect of our broader objective:
have a stronger economy, a stronger dollar and greater purchasing power Michigan businesses with the most innovative proposals to create new to shift toward a different way of life characterized by sustainability,
for oil, gas and food. products and new jobs in the state. regionalization, more harmonious balance between the natural ecosphere
Double Funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership: The and the human-made technosphere, and revival of community life. Our
John McCain believes we should institute a summer gas tax holiday. Hard- Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) works with manufacturers perspective is antithetical to both Big Business and Big Government.
working American families are suffering from higher gasoline prices. John across the country to improve efficiency, implement new technology and
McCain called on Congress to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and strengthen company growth. This highly-successful program has engaged in Greens support a major redesign of commerce. We endorse true-cost
24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day. more than 350,000 projects across the country and in 2006 alone, helped pricing. [See section E.1.True Cost Pricing on page 62 in this chapter] We
create and protect over 50,000 jobs. But despite this success, funding for support production methods that eliminates waste. In natural systems,
Reuters: Gas Tax Holiday "Of Most Immediate Effect To Consumers." "Of MEP has been slashed by the Bush administration. Barack Obama will everything is a meal for something else. Everything recycles, there is no
most immediate effect to consumers was his appeal to the U.S. Congress double funding for the MEP so its training centers can continue to bolster waste. We need to mimic natural systems in the way we manufacture and
to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. produce things. Consumables need to be designed to be thrown into a
Memorial Day at the end of May to Labor Day in early September." Invest In A Clean Energy Economy And Create 5 Million New Green Jobs: compost heap and/or eaten. Durable goods would be designed in closed-
(Steve Holland, "McCain Proposes Tax Cuts And Lashes Democrats," Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next loop systems, ultimately to be disassembled and reassembled. Toxics would
Reuters, 4/15/08) generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the be safeguarded, minimally produced, secured, and would ideally have
commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial markers identifying them in perpetuity with their makers.
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
USA Today: "A USA TODAY Analysis Showed That McCain's Gas-Tax scale renewable energy, invest in low emissions coal plants, and begin Sustaining our quality of life, economic prosperity, environmental health,
Proposal Could Save Motorists $6.8 Billion In Taxes During The Summer." transition to a new digital electricity grid. The plan will also invest in and long-term survival demands that we adopt new ways of doing
(Kathy Kiely, "Gas-Tax Holiday Among McCain's Plans For Economy," USA America's highly-skilled manufacturing workforce and manufacturing business. We need to remake commerce to encourage diversity and
Today, 4/16/08) centers to ensure that American workers have the skills and tools they variety, responding to the enormous complexity of global and local
need to pioneer the first wave of green technologies that will be in high conditions. Big business is not about appropriateness and adaptability, but
John McCain will repeal the 54 cents per gallon tax on imported sugar- demand throughout the world. about power and market control. Greens support small business,
based ethanol, increasing competition, and lowering prices of gasoline at Create New Job Training Programs for Clean Technologies: The Obama responsible stakeholder capitalism, and broad and diverse forms of
the pump. plan will increase funding for federal workforce training programs and economic cooperation. We argue that economic diversity is more
direct these programs to incorporate green technologies training, such as responsive than big business to the needs of diverse human populations.
John McCain will roll back corn-based ethanol mandates, which are advanced manufacturing and weatherization training, into their efforts to Greens view the economy as a part of the ecosystem, not as an isolated
contributing to the rising cost of food. help Americans find and retain stable, high-paying jobs. Obama will also subset in which nothing but resources come in and products and waste
Home Plan create an energy-focused youth jobs program to invest in disconnected go out. There is a fundamental conflict between economic growth and
John McCain believes there is nothing more important than keeping alive and disadvantaged youth. environmental protection. There is an absolute limit to economic growth
the American dream of owning a home. Priority number one is to keep Boost the Renewable Energy Sector and Create New Jobs: The Obama plan based on laws of thermodynamics and principles of ecology. Long before
well-meaning, deserving home owners who are facing foreclosure in their will create new federal policies, and expand existing ones, that have been that limit is reached, an optimum size of the economy is reached which
homes. proven to create new American jobs. Obama will create a federal maximizes human welfare in an holistic sense.
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that will require 25 percent of We support a Superfund for Workers program as envisioned by the Oil,
John McCain's approach to helping sub-prime or other financially strapped American electricity be derived from renewable sources by 2025, which Chemical and Atomic Workers Union in 1991. Such a program would
mortgage borrowers is built on sound principles: has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs on its guarantee full income and benefits for all workers displaced by ecological
own. Obama will also extend the Production Tax Credit, a credit used conversion until they find new jobs with comparable income and benefits.
No taxpayer money should bail out real estate speculators or financial successfully by American farmers and investors to increase renewable The Green Party supports methods, such as the Index of Social Health
market participants who failed to perform due diligence in assessing credit energy production and create new local jobs. Indicators, the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare, and the Genuine
risks. Any assistance for borrowers should be focused solely on New Jobs Through National Infrastructure Investment Progress Indicator, that take into account statistics on housing, income,
homeowners and any government assistance to the banking system should Barack Obama believes that it is critically important for the United States and nutrition.
be based solely on preventing systemic risk. to rebuild its national transportation infrastructure – its highways, Measuring Economic Progress – Economic Growth and the Steady-State
bridges, roads, ports, air, and train systems – to strengthen user safety, Economy
Any policy of financial assistance should be accompanied by reforms that bolster our long-term competitiveness and ensure our economy continues Economic growth has been a primary goal of American policy.
promote greater transparency and accountability to ensure we never face to grow. Corporations, politicians beholden to corporations, and economists funded
this problem again. Create a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank: Barack Obama will by corporations advocate a theory of unlimited economic growth
John McCain has proposed a new "HOME Plan" to provide robust, timely address the infrastructure challenge by creating a National Infrastructure stemming from technological progress. Based upon established principles of
and targeted help to those hurt by the housing crisis. Under his HOME Reinvestment Bank to expand and enhance, not supplant, existing federal the physical and biological sciences, however, there is a limit to economic
Plan, every deserving American family or homeowner will be afforded the transportation investments. This independent entity will be directed to growth.
opportunity to trade a burdensome mortgage for a manageable loan that invest in our nation’s most challenging transportation infrastructure needs.
reflects their home's market value. The Bank will receive an infusion of federal money, $60 billion over 10 American economic growth is having negative effects on the long-term
years, to provide financing to transportation infrastructure projects across ecological and economic welfare of the United States and the world. There
Eligibility: Holders of a sub-prime mortgage taken after 2005 who live in the nation. These projects will create up to two million new direct and is a fundamental conflict between economic growth and ecological health
their home (primary residence only); can prove creditworthiness at the indirect jobs per year and stimulate approximately $35 billion per year in (for example, biodiversity conservation, clean air and water, atmospheric
time of the original loan; are either delinquent, in arrears on payments, new economic activity. stability).
facing a reset or otherwise demonstrate that they will be unable to Technology, Innovation and Creating Jobs
continue to meet their mortgage obligations; and can meet the terms of Barack Obama will increase federal support for research, technology and We cannot rely on technological progress to solve ecological and long-
a new 30 year fixed-rate mortgage on the existing home. innovation for companies and universities so that American families can term economic problems. Rather, we should endeavor to make lifestyle
lead the world in creating new advanced jobs and products. choices that reinforce a general equilibrium of humans with nature. This
John McCain's HOME Plan Will Keep 200,000 To 400,000 Families From Invest in the Sciences: Barack Obama supports doubling federal funding requires consciously choosing to foster environmentally sound technologies,
Losing Their Homes. "But at the same time, McCain is calling for for basic research and changing the posture of our federal government whether they are newer or older technologies, rather than technologies
aggressive federal action to help keep 200,000 to 400,000 families from from being one of the most anti-science administrations in American conducive to conspicuous consumption and waste.
losing their homes. That plan has many of the elements of a proposal by history to one that embraces science and technology. This will foster
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., requiring home-grown innovation, help ensure the competitiveness of US technology- Economic growth, as gauged by increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
participating lenders to forgive part of the loan principal and then write based businesses, and ensure that 21st century jobs can and will grow in is a dangerous and anachronistic American goal. The most viable and
a new loan that would be backed by the federal government through the America. sustainable alternative is a steady-state economy. A steady-state economy
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
Federal Housing Administration." (Tom Raum, "Everyone's Invited: McCain Make the Research and Development Tax Credit Permanent: Barack Obama has a stable or mildly fluctuating product of population and per capita
Economic Plan Draws From Both Parties," Tucson Citizen, 4/17/08) wants investments in a skilled research and development workforce and consumption, and is generally indicated by stable or mildly fluctuating
technology infrastructure to be supported here in America so that GDP. The steady-state economy has become a more appropriate goal than
American workers and communities will benefit. Obama wants to make economic growth in the United States and other large, wealthy economies.
How It Works: Individuals pick up a form at any Post Office or download the Research and Development tax credit permanent so that firms can A steady-state economy precludes ever-expanding production and
the form over the Internet and apply for a HOME loan. The FHA HOME rely on it when making decisions to invest in domestic R&D over multi- consumption of goods and services. However, a steady-state economy does
Office certifies that the individual is qualified, and contacts the year timeframes. not preclude economic development—a qualitative process not gauged by
individual's mortgage servicer. The mortgage servicer writes down and Deploy Next-Generation Broadband: Barack Obama believes we can get GDP growth and other measures that overlook ecological effects.
retires the existing loan, which is replaced by an FHA guaranteed HOME broadband to every community in America through a combination of One way to measure the economy is to assess the value of non-monetary
loan from a lender. reform of the Universal Service Fund, better use of the nation's wireless goods and services and measure the rate of infant mortality, life
spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and expectancy of people, educational opportunities offered by the state,
John McCain will bolster groups like Neighborworks America that provide applications, and new tax and loan incentives. family stability, environmental data, and health care for all people.
mortgage assistance to homeowners in their communities. Support Small Business Another measure is to quantify human benefit (in terms of education,
Keeping The Credit Crunch From Hurting College Students Provide Tax Relief for Small Businesses and Start Up Companies: Barack health care, elder care, etc.) provided by each unit of output. Measuring
John McCain is proposing a student loan continuity plan. Students face the Obama will eliminate all capital gains taxes on start-up and small the gap between the most fortunate and the least fortunate in our
possibility that the credit crunch will disrupt loans for the fall semester. businesses to encourage innovation and job creation. Obama will also society, for example, tells us how well or poorly we are doing in creating
John McCain calls on the federal government and the 50 governors to support small business owners by providing a $500 ―Making Work Pay‖ an economy that does not benefit some at the expense of others.
anticipate loan problems and expand the lender-of-last resort capabilities tax credit to almost every worker in America. Self-employed small business For many nations with widespread poverty, increasing per capita
for each state's guarantee agency. owners pay both the employee and the employer side of the payroll tax, consumption (through economic growth or through more equitable
and this measure will reduce the burdens of this double taxation. distributions of wealth) remains an appropriate goal. Ultimately, however,
New Initiatives In The McCain Economic Plan Create a National Network of Public-Private Business Incubators: Barack the global ecosystem will not be able to support further economic growth.
Obama will support entrepreneurship and spur job growth by creating a Therefore, an equitable distribution of wealth among nations is required
national network of public-private business incubators. Business incubators to maintain a global steady-state economy. A global economy with
Today, In Pennsylvania, John McCain Outlined A Comprehensive Pro-Growth facilitate the critical work of entrepreneurs in creating start-up companies. inequitable wealth distribution will be subject to continual international
Strategy That Includes Several New Initiatives. Included in this plan are Obama will invest $250 million per year to increase the number and size strife and conflict. Such strife and conflict, in turn, ensures the economic
several new initiatives to help Americans confront economic challenges of incubators in disadvantaged communities throughout the country. unsustainability of some nations and threatens the economic sustainability
while focusing government on actually helping families. Labor of all.
Obama will strengthen the ability of workers to organize unions. He will Citizen Control Over Corporations
The New Initiatives: fight for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Obama will ensure We must end corporate welfare. Currently, corporations possess more
that his labor appointees support workers' rights and will work to ban rights and freedoms than natural human persons. Through a series of
GAS PRICES: John McCain Believes We Should Institute A Summer Gas Tax the permanent replacement of striking workers. Obama will also increase judicial rulings, and by virtue of their ability to control governments and
Holiday. Hard-working American families are suffering from higher gasoline the minimum wage and index it to inflation to ensure it rises every year. economies through concentration of wealth, corporations have rewritten
prices. John McCain calls on Congress to suspend the 18.4 cent federal Ensure Freedom to Unionize: Obama believes that workers should have our Constitution and have emerged as unaccountable, unelected
gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day. the freedom to choose whether to join a union without harassment or governments. The Green Party supports all reforms that seek governmental
intimidation from their employers. Obama cosponsored and is strong regulation of corporations. In the interim, we support measures that hold
STUDENT LOANS: John McCain Is Proposing A Student Loan Continuity advocate for the Employee Free Choice Act, a bipartisan effort to assure executives and officers of corporations directly liable for harm that results
Plan. Students face the possibility that the credit crunch will disrupt loans that workers can exercise their right to organize. He will continue to from their decisions.
for the fall semester. John McCain calls on the federal government and fight for EFCA's passage and sign it into law.
the 50 governors to anticipate problems and expand the lender-of-last Fight Attacks on Workers' Right to Organize: Obama has fought the Bush The U.S. intentionally defines corporations through charters or certificates
resort capabilities for each state's guarantee agency. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) efforts to strip workers of their of incorporation. In exchange for the charter, a corporation was obligated
right to organize. He is a cosponsor of legislation to overturn the NLRB's to obey all laws, to serve the common good, and to cause no harm.
MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS: John McCain Will Double The Personal Exemption "Kentucky River" decisions classifying hundreds of thousands of nurses, Early state legislators wrote charter laws to limit corporate authority and
For Dependents. John McCain believes the tax code should be less of a construction, and professional workers as "supervisors" who are not ensure that when a corporation caused harm, they could revoke its
burden on those, whether they are mothers and fathers or single parents, protected by federal labor laws. charter.
who are trying to raise a family. He proposes to raise the personal Protect Striking Workers: Obama supports the right of workers to bargain
exemption for each dependent from $3,500 to $7,000. collectively and strike if necessary. He will work to ban the permanent In the late 19th century, however, corporations claimed special protections
replacement of striking workers, so workers can stand up for themselves under the Constitution. They insisted that once formed, corporations might
A SIMPLER TAX CODE: John McCain Will Propose An Alternative New And without worrying about losing their livelihoods. operate forever with the privilege of limited liability and freedom from
Simpler Tax System -- And Give America A Real Choice. When this reform Raise the Minimum Wage: Barack Obama will raise the minimum wage, community or worker interference in business judgments.
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
is enacted, all who wish to stay under the current system could still do index it to inflation and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit to make
so, but everyone else could choose a vastly less complicated system with sure that full-time workers earn a living wage that allows them to raise One point remains unequivocal: Because corporations have become the
two tax rates and a generous standard deduction. Americans do not their families and pay for basic needs. dominant economic institution of the planet, they must address and
resent paying their rightful share of taxes -- what they do resent is being Protect Homeownership and Crack Down on Mortgage Fraud squarely face the social and environmental problems that afflict
subjected to thousands of pages of needless and often irrational rules and Obama will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. He will also humankind.
demands from the IRS. make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their
mortgage options, and he will give a tax credit to all middle-class The federal government doles out billions in subsidies and tax breaks to
GOVERNMENT SPENDING: John McCain Proposes A One-Year Spending homeowners. corporate special interests. The current level of influence now being
Pause To Evaluate Programs. He believes that outside of essential military Create a Universal Mortgage Credit: Obama will create a 10 percent exerted by corporate interests over the public interest is unacceptable. We
and veterans programs there should be a one-year discretionary spending universal mortgage credit to provide homeowners who do not itemize tax challenge the propriety and equity of corporate welfare that comes in the
pause that should be used for a top-to-bottom review of the effectiveness relief. This credit will provide an average of $500 to 10 million form of tax breaks, subsidies, payments, grants, bailouts, giveaways,
of federal programs. homeowners, the majority of whom earn less than $50,000 per year. unenforced laws and regulations; and in historic, continuing access to our
Ensure More Accountability in the Subprime Mortgage Industry: Obama has vast public resources, including the airwaves, millions of acres of land,
MEDICARE GROWTH: John McCain Believes That We Should Not Subsidize been closely monitoring the subprime mortgage situation for years, and forests, mineral resources, intellectual property rights, and government-
The Prescription Drugs Of America's Most Affluent Individuals. He will introduced comprehensive legislation over a year ago to fight mortgage created research.
propose reforms to reduce the large subsidies in the Medicare drug fraud and protect consumers against abusive lending practices. Obama's We support strong national standards for labor rights and the
program. STOP FRAUD Act provides the first federal definition of mortgage fraud, environment so that corporations can no longer force states and cities
Lower Energy Costs increases funding for federal and state law enforcement programs, creates into a brutal competition for jobs at any cost. Legal doctrines must be
John McCain's Lexington Project will address the rising costs of energy new criminal penalties for mortgage professionals found guilty of fraud, continually revised in recognition of the changing needs of an active,
that are hurting small businesses. He strongly supports increased domestic and requires industry insiders to report suspicious activity. democratic citizenry. Huge multinational corporations are artificial
exploration of oil and natural gas. This will send a strong signal to oil Mandate Accurate Loan Disclosure: Obama will create a Homeowner creations, not natural persons uniquely sheltered under constitutional
markets that future supplies will be more plentiful, countering the rise in Obligation Made Explicit (HOME) score, which will provide potential protections. We support local and state government attempts to define
oil prices. The market for natural gas is less internationally integrated borrowers with a simplified, standardized borrower metric (similar to APR) corporations and to prevent them from exercising democratic rights that
than that of oil - increased domestic production will lower the cost of for home mortgages. The HOME score will allow individuals to easily are uniquely possessed by the citizens of the United States.
this key energy source. compare various mortgage products and understand the full cost of the Livable Income
loan. We affirm the importance of access to a livable income.
The Project will transform electricity generation. John McCain has set the Close Bankruptcy Loophole for Mortgage Companies: Obama will work to
goal of building 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 - creating 700,000 eliminate the provision that prevents bankruptcy courts from modifying an We call for a universal basic income (sometimes called a guaranteed
jobs and providing cheap electricity. It will provide incentives for the individual's mortgage payments. Obama believes that the subprime income, negative income tax, citizen’s income, or citizen dividend). This
production of electricity from renewable sources. Finally, the Lexington mortgage industry, which has engaged in dangerous and sometimes would go to every adult regardless of health, employment, or marital
Project will devote $2 billion annually to research that will allow the unscrupulous business practices, should not be shielded by outdated status, in order to minimize government bureaucracy and intrusiveness
clean use of our most plentiful and low-cost energy source: coal. federal law. into people's lives. The amount should be sufficient so that anyone who is
Controlling Health Care Costs Address Predatory Credit Card Practices unemployed can afford basic food and shelter. State or local governments
John McCain has a comprehensive health care reform plan that will reduce Obama will establish a five-star rating system so that every consumer should supplement that amount from local revenues where the cost of
the spiraling cost of health care - a major burden for those small knows the risk involved in every credit card. He also will establish a living is high.
businesses that offer health insurance and a major impediment for those Credit Card Bill of Rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting Job banks and other innovative training and employment programs which
who cannot. He will provide $5,000 for health insurance to every consumers with unfair practices. bring together the private and public sectors must become federal, state
American family - supporting small businesses that seek to offer insurance. Create a Credit Card Rating System to Improve Disclosure: Obama will and local priorities. People who are unable to find decent work in the
John McCain opposes costly mandates or "pay or play" requirements that create a credit card rating system, modeled on five-star systems used for private sector should have options through publicly funded opportunities.
would raise the financial burden on small business, cut the ability to hire, other consumer products, to provide consumers an easily identifiable Workforce development programs must aim at moving people out of
expand, or raise payrolls. ranking of credit cards, based on the card's features. Credit card poverty.
companies will be required to display the rating on all application and The growing inequities in income and wealth between rich and poor;
John McCain's opponent would burden small businesses with roughly contract materials, enabling consumers to quickly understand all of the unprecedented discrepancies in salary and benefits between corporate top
$5,000 to $12,000 of extra cost for every employee through his "pay or major provisions of a credit card without having to rely exclusively on executives and line workers; loss of the ―American dream‖ by the young
play" health care mandates. This will stifle new job creation, and it will fine print in lengthy documents. and middleclass —each is a symptom of decisions made by policy-makers
require small businesses either to cut employees' pay in order to finance Establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to Protect Consumers: Obama will far removed from the concerns of ordinary workers trying to keep up.
this mandate or fire them. create a Credit Card Bill of Rights to protect consumers. The Obama plan A clear living wage standard should serve as a foundation for trade
Taxes: Simpler, Fair, Pro-Growth, And Competitive will: between nations, and a ―floor‖ of guaranteed wage protections and
Keep Tax Rates Low: Entrepreneurs are at the heart of American Ban Unilateral Changes workers’ rights should be negotiated in future trade agreements. The
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
innovation, growth and prosperity. Entrepreneurs create the ultimate job Apply Interest Rate Increases Only to Future Debt United States should take the lead on this front – and not allow
security - a new, better opportunity if your current job goes away. Prohibit Interest on Fees destructive, predatory corporate practices under the guise of ―free‖
Entrepreneurs should not be taxed into submission. John McCain will keep Prohibit "Universal Defaults" international trade.
the top tax rate at 35 percent, maintain the 15 percent rates on Require Prompt and Fair Crediting of Cardholder Payments True Cost Pricing and Tax Fairness
dividends and capital gains, and phase-out the Alternative Minimum Tax. Reform Bankruptcy Laws Middle-class and poor people are paying an ever greater proportion of
Small businesses are the heart of job growth; raising taxes on them hurts Obama will reform our bankruptcy laws to protect working people, ban federal taxes, and too often local and state taxes are unfair and
every worker. John McCain's opponent wants to increase the marginal executive bonuses for bankrupt companies, and require disclosure of all regressive. The tax code is a labyrinth of deductions, loopholes,
income tax rate which applies to the nation's 23 million small business pension investments. exemptions and write-offs, the result of insider- and industry-lobbying that
owners who pay their taxes under the individual tax rate system. Cap Outlandish Interest Rates on Payday Loans and Improve Disclosure: has damaged our economy as it has served the interests of big business,
Obama supports extending a 36 percent interest cap to all Americans. financial institutions and the rich.
Cut The Corporate Tax Rate From 35 To 25 Percent: A lower corporate Obama will require lenders to provide clear and simplified information
tax rate is essential to keeping good jobs in the United States. America about loan fees, payments and penalties, which is why he'll require The high price of corporate welfare corrupts the political process by
was once a low-tax business environment, but as our trade partners lenders to provide this information during the application process. encouraging the exchange of political favors for campaign donations.
lowered their rates, America failed to keep pace. American workers Encourage Responsible Lending Institutions to Make Small Consumer Loans: Corporate tax breaks are ultimately paid for by higher taxes on the
deserve the chance to make fine products here and sell them around the Obama will encourage banks, credit unions and Community Development middle class. Tax breaks distort the rules of the marketplace and seldom
globe. Financial Institutions to provide affordable short-term and small-dollar serve a larger public purpose.
loans and to drive unscrupulous lenders out of business.
Allow First-Year Deduction, Or "Expensing", Of Equipment And Technology Reform Bankruptcy Laws to Protect Families Facing a Medical Crisis: We call for a tax policy that moves to eliminate loopholes and other
Investments: American workers need the finest technologies to compete. Obama will create an exemption in bankruptcy law for individuals who exemptions that favor powerful interests. Small business and the self-
Expensing of equipment and technology will provide an immediate boost can prove they filed for bankruptcy because of medical expenses. This employed, in particular, should not be penalized by a tax system that
to capital expenditures and reward investments in cutting-edge exemption will create a process that forgives the debt and lets the benefits those who can influence the legislative tax committees for breaks
technologies. individuals get back on their feet. and subsidies.
Work/Family Balance
Establish Permanent Tax Credit Equal To 10 Percent Of Wages Spent On Obama will double funding for after-school programs, expand the Family A central goal of tax policy should be transparency—a system that is
R&D: This reform will greatly simplify the tax code, reward activity in the Medical Leave Act, provide low-income families with a refundable tax simple, understandable, and resistant to the schemes of special interests.
United States, and make us more competitive with other countries. A credit to help with their child-care expenses, and encourage flexible work
permanent credit will provide an incentive to innovate and remove schedules. When taxes are levied against labor, using labor in production becomes
uncertainty. At a time when our companies need to be more competitive, Expand the Family and Medical Leave Act: The FMLA covers only certain more expensive and is therefore a disincentive for employment. This also
we need to provide a permanent incentive to innovate, and remove the employees of employers with 50 or more employees. Obama will expand diminishes the economic value of labor by decreasing the worker's
uncertainty now hanging over businesses as they make R&D investment it to cover businesses with 25 or more employees. He will expand the purchasing power thus discouraging work.
decisions. FMLA to cover more purposes as well, including allowing workers to take
leave for elder care needs; allowing parents up to 24 hours of leave each Corporations focus on revenue growth at the expense of nearly everything
Allow Families To Keep Their Businesses: John McCain proposes reducing year to participate in their children's academic activities; and expanding else. Even breaking the law can be justified when the fine for being
the Estate Tax rate to 15 percent and permit a generous $10 million FMLA to cover leave for employees to address domestic violence. caught is less than the profit to be made. We must motivate the business
exemption. Encourage States to Adopt Paid Leave: As president, Obama will initiate a community to act responsibly towards the people and the Earth. One way
Opening New Markets strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama is true cost pricing and the other way is fair taxation.
John McCain believes that globalization is an opportunity for American will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to
workers today and in the future. Ninety-five percent of the world's help states offset the costs for employees and employers. True Cost Pricing
customers lie outside our borders and we need to be at the table when Expand High-Quality Afterschool Opportunities: Obama will double funding True Cost Pricing (TCP) is an accounting and pricing system that includes
the rules for access to those markets are written. To do so, the U.S. for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century all costs into the price of a product. This would make ecologically-sound
should engage in multilateral, regional and bilateral efforts to reduce Learning Centers program, to serve a million more children. Obama will products cheaper to the consumer in terms of market price and the
barriers to trade, level the global playing field and build effective include measures to maximize performance and effectiveness across demand for these products would increase. Also, various
enforcement of global trading rules. grantees nationwide. cultural/traditional industries that have been marginalized by unrestrained
Expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The Child and technology could flourish.
Export growth is the strongest part of our sluggish economy, and we Dependent Care Tax Credit provides too little relief to families that
should be encouraging the growth of even more jobs in this sector struggle to afford child care expenses. Obama will reform the Child and Under our current system, many products carry hidden environmental and
through more free trade agreements which give American firms more Dependent Care Tax Credit by making it refundable and allowing low- social costs such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and toxic
access to sell our goods and services abroad. income families to receive up to a 50 percent credit for their child care waste. These costs are created during the production, use, or disposal of
expenses. the products. While the producer internalizes revenue and profits from
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
Trade Protect Against Caregiver Discrimination: Workers with family obligations these products, the costs are externalized to society and the natural
Lower Barriers to Trade often are discriminated against in the workplace. Obama will enforce the environment. In addition, many of the laws that exist to prevent
John McCain believes that globalization is an opportunity for American recently-enacted Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines on environmental and social damage are not adequately enforced. Examples
workers today and in the future. Ninety-five percent of the world's caregiver discrimination. include smog checking of vehicles, and tobacco taxes and court
customers lie outside our borders, and we need to be at the table when Expand Flexible Work Arrangements: Obama will create a program to settlements, which are not being used as intended. In this way,
the rules for access to those markets are written. To do so, the U.S. inform businesses about the benefits of flexible work schedules; help externalized costs equate to a subsidy.
should engage in multilateral, regional and bilateral efforts to reduce businesses create flexible work opportunities; and increase federal
barriers to trade, level the global playing field and build effective incentives for telecommuting. Obama will also make the federal TCP would account for these costs. To implement TCP, we call for:
enforcement of global trading rules. government a model employer in terms of adopting flexible work
Competitive American Workers schedules and permitting employees to request flexible arrangements. Environmental taxes such as the Carbon Tax. [See carbon tax in the next
John McCain understands that globalization will not automatically benefit section]
every American. We must prepare the next generation of workers by TCP to be a basis for decisions on government projects and in
making American education worthy of the promise we make to our Environmental Impact Statements.
children and ourselves. We must be a nation committed to Integrate TCP into domestic industrial policies and regulations, and
competitiveness and opportunity. We must fight for the ability of all likewise promote it in international trade agreements.
students to have access to any school of demonstrated excellence. We Implement product labeling to inform consumers of the total cost of the
must place parents and children at the center of the education process, product's ingredients and manufacturing process.
empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose Enforce laws that exist to prevent environmental and social damage.
among schools for their children. Establish an information clearinghouse, consultant's network, and other
communication channels for the exchange of information about
John McCain will overhaul unemployment insurance and make it a ecologically benign techniques.
program for retraining, relocating and assisting workers who have lost a Recognize that TCP may have short term impact on people of lesser
job. The unemployment insurance system created in the 1950s needs to financial means and implement measures to mitigate these effects.
be modernized to meet the goals of helping displaced workers make ends Fair Taxation
meet between jobs and moving people quickly on to the next opportunity. Taxes pay for important public services. Tax policies should foster a more
John McCain will reform the half-dozen training programs to approaches equitable progressive tax structure, as opposed to the present regressive
that can be used to meet the bills, pay for training, and get back to nature of taxation that levies the heaviest burdens on those least able to
work. John McCain believes that we can strengthen community colleges pay.
and technical training, and give displaced workers more choices to find
their way back to productive and prosperous lives. Corporations currently receive tax breaks that promote growth and the
consumption of resources. Tax breaks should promote sustainability and
Click here to read more about McCain policies in the global economy. social responsibility.
Bring The Budget
To Balance By 2013 Any shift in tax policy must be done gradually, so that people and
John McCain will balance the budget by the end of his first term. The government can adjust to the changes. Also, changes should move toward
near-term path to balance is built on three principles: appropriate scale of collection and use of taxes
Reasonable economic growth. Growth is an imperative - historically the We propose:
greatest success in reducing deficits (late 1980s; late 1990s) took place in
the context of economic growth. More progressive taxation. Sales, corporate and income taxes should be
adjusted to relieve the burden on those less able to pay and increase the
Comprehensive spending controls. Bringing the budget to balance will burden on large and multinational corporations and the super wealthy,
require across-the-board scrutiny of spending and making tough choices who do not pay their fair share. Raise the state income tax for higher
on new spending proposals. income people. Also, reduce income taxes for lowwage workers to
encourage people to seek employment rather than relying on public
Bi-partisanship in budget efforts. Much as the late 1990s witnessed assistance.
bipartisan efforts to put the fiscal house in order, bi-partisan efforts will Raising corporate taxes. The corporate share of taxes has fallen from 33%
be the key to undoing the recent spending binge. in the 1940s to 7% today, while the individual share has risen from
In the long-term, the only way to keep the budget balanced is successful 44% to 85%.
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
reform of the large spending pressures in Social Security, Medicare, and Implementing tax policies that promote sustainability and social
Medicaid. responsibility. Subsidies, export incentives, tax loopholes and tax shelters
that benefit large corporations now amount to hundreds of billions of
McCain Policies Will Support Reasonable Economic Growth: Small business dollars each year. These promote growth and the consumption of
is the key to job growth. Small business will benefit from: resources.
Shifting investments away from such things as automating the production
Low individual tax rates - sole-proprietorships, partnerships, landlords and of disposable products, which reduces the number of jobs. Also, discourage
others are taxed under the individual income tax. leveraged buyouts and mergers, which extract working capital. Instead, we
must promote community development and job creation.
Access to capital from low tax rates on dividends and capital gains. Imposing Carbon taxes on all fossil fuels, because of detrimental effects of
carbon emissions on the environment. Those with the highest carbon
Minimizing expensive mandates - such as those for health insurance and content would be taxed the most, ranging from coal (highest) to oil to
pro-union initiatives like card check. natural gas. Revenues would go into a fund initially earmarked for
carbon-reducing activities. [See section E.Clean Air / Greenhouse Effect /
Enhancing international competitiveness to keep jobs here; not abroad. Ozone Depletion on page 47 in chapter III]
A lower corporate tax rate. Offsetting Regressive Taxes. The carbon tax would favor those of lower
income by being directed to fund public transportation improvement and
Improved investment and research incentives to ensure that workers have subsidies, weatherization and other efficiency measures, and passive solar
the most modern technology. installations. As revenues increase, the funds would be used to provide
relief to low income people in such programs as housing and education
Bringing the budget to balance, reducing federal borrowing, and and could eventually replace regressive taxes such as sales taxes.
controlling spending to reduce the burden on the economy. Encouraging the enactment of the Tobin tax on financial transactions
Comprehensive Spending Controls: John McCain will institute broad reforms across borders.
to control spending: Decreasing taxes on labor.
Decreasing the cap on the mortgage tax deduction for both federal and
The McCain administration would reserve all savings from victory in the state income taxes.
Iraq and Afghanistan operations in the fight against Islamic extremists for Re-establishment of the inheritance tax. Inheritance tax revenues should
reducing the deficit. Since all their costs were financed with deficit be dedicated to health and welfare benefits for the poor and to enlisted
spending, all their savings must go to deficit reduction. soldiers salaries.
Aiming for revenue neutrality in the tax changes. We are not proposing a
A one-year spending pause. Freeze non-defense, non-veterans discretionary bigger overall role for government. However, there are some situations
spending for a year and use those savings for deficit reduction. A one- where certain priority activities are under-funded.
year pause in the growth of discretionary spending will be imposed to Shifting tax policy gradually so that people and government can adjust to
allow for a comprehensive review of all spending programs. After the the changes. Also, changes should move toward appropriate scale of
completion of a comprehensive review of all programs, projects and collection and use of taxes.
activities of the federal government, we will propose a plan to modernize, Community Economic Involvement
streamline, consolidate, reprioritize and, where needed, terminate Reforms that allow communities to have influence in their economic future
individual programs. should be implemented. Such reforms include the following:
Take back earmark funds. The McCain Administration will reclaim billions Locally owned small businesses, which are more accessible to community
of add-on spending from earmarks and add-ons in FY 2007 and 2008. concerns.
Local production and consumption where possible.
Bi-partisan Fiscal Discipline: A McCain Administration will provide the Incentives for cooperative enterprises, such as consumer co-ops, credit
leadership to achieve bipartisan spending restraint equivalent to that in unions, incubators, micro-loan funds, local currencies, and other
the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement between a GOP Congress and a institutions that help communities develop economic projects.
Democratic President. In 1997, President Clinton and the GOP Congress Allowing municipalities to approve or disapprove large economic projects
agreed to balance the budget by restraining the growth in spending and case-by-case based on environmental impacts, local ownership, community
cutting taxes over a ten-year period. reinvestment, wage levels, and working conditions.
Allowing communities to set environmental, human rights, health and
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
With the same bipartisan effort today, with the federal budget that is safety standards higher than federal or state minimums.
now 70 percent larger, we could keep taxes low and still balance the A national program to
budget by holding overall spending growth to 2.4 percent. Unlike invest in the commons;
Congress and the Executive branch in recent years, a McCain to rebuild the infrastructure of communities;
Administration will enforce the spending restraint to balance the budget repair and improve transportation lines between cities, and;
and keep it balanced. protect and restore the environment.
A federal capital budget should be put in place and applied in a process
A McCain Administration would perform a comprehensive review of all that assesses federal spending as capital investment.
programs, projects and activities of the federal government, and then Applying direct democracy through town meetings, which express a
propose a plan to modernize, streamline, consolidate, reprioritize and, community’s economic wishes directly to local institutions and
where needed, terminate individual programs. McCain could use the bi- organizations.
partisan commission structure used for the Defense Base Realignment and Small Business and the Self-Employed
Closure Commission (BRAC). Such a commission could be required to Greens support a program that counteracts concentration and abuse of
report to the President who would then submit the recommendations to economic power. We support many different initiatives for forming
the Congress for a straight up or down vote. successful, small enterprises that together can become an engine of (and
sustainable model for) job creation, prosperity and progress. Small
A McCain Administration will review all special spending provisions to end business is where the jobs are being created. Over the past decade and a
subsidies to high-income individuals and corporations half, all new net job growth has come from the small business sector.
Eliminating Wasteful Spending
Stop Earmarks, Pork-Barrel Spending, And Waste: John McCain will veto The Green economic model is about true prosperity—Green means
every pork-laden spending bill and make their authors famous. As prosperity. Our goal is to go beyond the dedicated good work being done
President, he will seek the line-item veto to reduce waste and eliminate by many companies (referred to as ―socially responsible business‖) and to
earmarks that have led to corruption. Earmarks restrict America's ability present new ways of seeing how business can help create a sustainable
to address genuine national priorities and interfere with fair, competitive world, while surviving in a competitive business climate.
markets.
We believe that conservation should be profitable, and employment should
Leadership, Courage And Choices: Reducing spending means making be creative, meaningful and fairly compensated.
choices. John McCain will provide the courageous leadership necessary to
control spending, including: Access to capital is often an essential need in growing a business. [See
section I.Banking and Insurance Reform on page 66 in this chapter]
Eliminate broken government programs. The federal government itself
admits that one in five programs do not perform. The present tax system acts to discourage small business as it encourages
waste, discourages conservation, and rewards consumption. Big business
Reform our civil service system to promote accountability and good has used insider access to dominate the federal tax code. The tax system
performance in our federal workforce. needs a major overhaul to favor the legitimate and critical needs of the
small business community. Retention of capital through retained earnings,
Reform procurement programs and cut wasteful spending in defense and efficiencies, and savings is central to small business competitiveness.
non-defense programs. Current tax policies often act to unfairly penalize small business.
Reforming Entitlement Programs For The 21st Century
Reform Social Security: John McCain will fight to save the future of Social Government should reduce unnecessary restrictions, fees, and bureaucracy.
Security, and he believes that we may meet our obligations to the In particular, the Paper Simplification Act should be seen as a way to
retirees of today and the future without raising taxes. John McCain benefit small business, and it should be improved in response to the
supports supplementing the current Social Security system with personal needs of small businesses and the self-employed.
accounts - but not as a substitute for addressing benefit promises that Health insurance premiums paid by the selfemployed should be fully
cannot be kept. John McCain will reach across the aisle to address these deductible.
challenges, but if the Democrats do not act, he will. No problem is in State and local government should encourage businesses that benefit the
more need of honesty than the looming financial challenges of entitlement community especially. Economic development initiatives should include
programs. Americans have the right to know the truth and John McCain citizen and community input. The type and size of businesses that are
will not leave office without fixing the problems that threatens our future given incentives (tax, loans, bonds, etc.) should be the result of local
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
prosperity and power. community participation.
Pension funds (the result of workers’ investments) should be examined as
Control Medicare Growth: The growth of spending on Medicare threatens additional sources of capital for small business. [See section J.Pension
our fiscal future. John McCain has proposed comprehensive health care Reform on page 67 in this chapter]
reforms that will reduce the growth in Medicare spending, improve the Insurance costs should be brought down by means of active engagement
quality of care, protect seniors against rising Medicare premium payments, with the insurance industry. Insurance pools need to be expanded.
and preserve the advancements in medical science central to providing One-stop offices should be established by government to assist individuals
quality care. who want to change careers or go into business for the first time.
Home-based and neighborhood-based businesses should be assisted by
forward-looking planning, not hurt by out-of-date zoning ordinances.
Telecommuting and home offices should be aided, not hindered, by
government.
Work and Job Creation
There is plenty of work to do that does not jeopardize our future, does
not widen the gap between the richest and the poorest in our society,
and that can enrich our communities. We must encourage the creation of
these opportunities. People whose livelihoods depend on supporting
remote, multi-national corporations cannot be expected to support
changing the system.
The Green Party proposes a third alternative to a job or no job
dichotomy: that is to provide everyone a sustainable livelihood. The need
of our times is for security, not necessarily jobs. We need security in the
knowledge that, while markets may fluctuate and jobs may come and go,
we are still able to lead a life rooted in dignity and well-being.
The concept of a ―job‖ is only a few hundred years old; and the artificial
dichotomy between ―employment‖ and ―unemployment‖ has become a
tool of social leverage for corporate exploiters. This produces a
dysfunctional society in various ways: (1) It is used to justify bringing
harmful industries to rural communities, such as extensive prison
construction and clear cutting of pristine forests. (2) It has been used to
pit workers (people needing jobs) against the interests of their own
communities. (3) It has created a selfesteem crisis in a large segment of
the adult population who have been forced into doing work that is
irrelevant, socially harmful, or environmentally unsound.
We will also promote policies that have job-increasing effects. Many
people will still need jobs for their security. We need to counterbalance
the decline in jobs caused either by new technology, corporate flight to
cheaper labor markets outside our borders, or the disappearance of
socially wasteful jobs that will inevitably occur as more and more people
embrace a green culture.
To begin a transition to a system providing sustainable livelihood, we
support:
creating alternative, low-consumption communities and living
arrangements, including a reinvigorated sustainable homesteading
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
movement in rural areas and voluntary shared housing in urban areas.
Universal health care requiring coverage for all. [See section F.Health Care
on page 30 in chapter II]
The creating and spreading local currencies and barter systems.
Subsidizing technological development of consumer items that would
contribute toward economic autonomy, such as renewable energy devices.
Establishing local non-profit development corporations.
Providing people with information about alternatives to jobs.
Creating Jobs
For creating jobs we propose:
Reducing taxes on labor. This will make labor more competitive with
energy and capital investment. (See Taxation above.)
Solidarity with unions and workers fighting the practice of contracting out
tasks to part-time workers in order to avoid paying benefits and to break
up unions.
Adopting a reduced-hour (30-35 hours) work week as a standard. This
could translate into as many as 26 million new jobs.
Subsidizing renewable energy sources, which directly employ 2 to 5 times
as many people for every unit of electricity generated as fossil or nuclear
sources yet are cost competitive. Also, retrofit existing buildings for energy
conservation and build non-polluting, low impact transportation systems.
Supporting small business by reducing tax, fee and bureaucratic burdens.
The majority of new jobs today are created by small businesses. This
would cut their failure rate and help them create more jobs.
Opposing the trend toward ―bundling‖ of contracts that minimizes
opportunity for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.
Reducing consumption to minimize outsourcing—the exportation of jobs
to other countries—thus reducing the relative price of using U.S.
workers.
Taxes Pro-Growth Tax Policy Restore Fiscal Discipline to Washington The national debt is approaching 7 trillion dollars, and the diversion to
Keep Tax Rates Low: Entrepreneurs are at the heart of American Reinstate PAYGO Rules: Obama believes that a critical step in interest payments is nearly 20 percent of tax revenues. The Green Party
innovation, growth and prosperity. Entrepreneurs create the restoring fiscal discipline is enforcing pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) calls for immediate debate and action to stop this transfer of wealth from
the taxpayers to the wealthy.
ultimate job security - a new, better opportunity if your current budgeting rules which require new spending commitments or tax
job goes away. Entrepreneurs should not be taxed into changes to be paid for by cuts to other programs or new For many years the federal government borrowed hundreds of billions of
submission. John McCain will keep the top tax rate at 35 percent, revenue. dollars. Money that should have been going into a better ―safety net‖ for
maintain the 15 percent rates on dividends and capital gains, Reverse Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy: Obama will protect tax the poor, homes for the homeless, environmental and public lands
and phase-out the Alternative Minimum Tax. Small businesses are cuts for poor and middle class families, but he will reverse most conservation, sustainable jobs, research and development, roads and
the heart of job growth; raising taxes on them hurts every of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest taxpayers. bridges, schools and the technologies of tomorrow, has been lost to
worker. Cut Pork Barrel Spending: Obama introduced and passed servicing the national debt. We cannot ignore the consequences of our
bipartisan legislation that would require more disclosure and nation’s past deficits and the related costs of debt service.
Cut The Corporate Tax Rate From 35 To 25 Percent: A lower transparency for special-interest earmarks. Obama believes that
Working people and the small business community are shouldering a
corporate tax rate is essential to keeping good jobs in the United spending that cannot withstand public scrutiny cannot be justified. disproportionate amount of the debt burden. Yet the incurrence of the
States. America was once a low-tax business environment, but as Obama will slash earmarks to no greater than year 2001 levels federal debt was, to a large degree, the end product of those who were
our trade partners lowered their rates, America failed to keep and ensure all spending decisions are open to the public. on watch during the Cold War and military-defense industry buildup. Also,
pace. We now have the second highest corporate tax rate in the Make Government Spending More Accountable and Efficient: hundreds of billions were lost in the savings and loan bailout, and to
world, making America a less attractive place for companies to Obama will ensure that federal contracts over $25,000 are loopholes, tax breaks, and multinational corporate tax avoidance.
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
do business. American workers deserve the chance to make fine competitively bid. Obama will also increase the efficiency of Hundreds of billions were lost due to a failed tax code that has been
products here and sell them around the globe. government programs through better use of technology, stronger held prisoner to special interests and has produced historic gross
management that demands accountability and by leveraging the inequities between corporate America and working Americans.
Allow First-Year Deduction, Or "Expensing", Of Equipment And government's high-volume purchasing power to get lower prices.
During the 1980s, our national debt grew from approximately $1 trillion
Technology Investments: American workers need the finest End Wasteful Government Spending: Obama will stop funding to over $5 trillion and we refused to fund Social Security, food stamps,
technologies to compete. Expensing of equipment and technology wasteful, obsolete federal government programs that make no public housing, higher education, public transportation, and other services.
will provide an immediate boost to capital expenditures and financial sense. Obama has called for an end to subsidies for oil
reward investments in cutting-edge technologies. and gas companies that are enjoying record profits, as well as We must continue to move toward reduction of the national debt and
the elimination of subsidies to the private student loan industry compensate for the neglect that the deficits caused.
Establish Permanent Tax Credit Equal To 10 Percent Of Wages which has repeatedly used unethical business practices. Obama We believe a comprehensive approach that forms a basis for a debt
Spent On R&D: This reform will simplify the tax code, reward will also tackle wasteful spending in the Medicare program. reduction plan would include debt payback, increased revenues, and
decreased expenditures in some areas.
activity in the United States, and make us more competitive with Make the Tax System More Fair and Efficient
We support increases in domestic and discretionary spending, which is our
other countries. A permanent credit will provide an incentive to End Tax Haven Abuse: Building on his bipartisan work in the nation’s essential ―safety net‖ to protect those most in need. We support
innovate and remove uncertainty. At a time when our companies Senate, Obama will give the Treasury Department the tools it increases in the portion of entitlement benefits (one-fifth) that go to
need to be more competitive, we need to provide a permanent needs to stop the abuse of tax shelters and offshore tax havens children, the lowest income, elderly, and disabled. These include food
incentive to innovate, and remove the uncertainty now hanging and help close the $350 billion tax gap between taxes owed and stamps, family assistance, Medicaid, and supplemental security income.
over businesses as they make R&D investment decisions. taxes paid. We oppose privatization of Social Security. We support increased funding
Innovation Tax Policy Close Special Interest Corporate Loopholes: Obama will level the for Social Security, public housing, higher education, public transportation,
Ban Internet Taxes: John McCain believes we must make a playing field for all businesses by eliminating special-interest environmental protection, renewable energy, and energy conservation.
To help compensate for our nation’s neglect, we support tax increases on
farsighted, robust, and fervent commitment to innovation and new loopholes and deductions, such as those for the oil and gas
mega-corporate and wealthy interests, defense budget reductions, and
technologies to sustain our global competitiveness, meet our industry. entitlement reductions for those who can most afford reductions.
national security challenges, achieve less costly and more effective Entitlement spending is over one-half of the federal budget. One way to
health care, reduce dangerous dependence on foreign sources of reduce entitlement costs substantially is by means testing, which is scaling
oil, and raise the quality of education in the United States. John back payments to the six million citizens in families with incomes over
McCain has been a leader in keeping the Internet free of taxes. $50,000 annually.
As President, he will seek a permanent ban on taxes that We must revitalize the public sector. As taxes on working people have
threaten this engine of economic growth and prosperity. been unfairly increased, many important public services have been sharply
reduced. Corporate-backed politicians are using the anti-government
sentiment they have so carefully engineered to kill vital programs that
Ban New Cell Phone Taxes: John McCain understands that the many employers have always despised. If corporations continue to get
same people that would tax e-mail will tax every text message - their way, OSHA will be gutted, our environmental and labor laws will be
and even 911 calls. John McCain will prohibit new cellular worthless, our public health system will be dismantled, and the safety net
telephone taxes. and public universities will be only a dim memory.
Environment and Climate Change Provide short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump Our energy use and abuse is at the core of many environmental and
Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion even social problems. With less
Alternative Energy John McCain will establish a market-based system to curb greenhouse gas over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy than 5% of the world's population, the U.S. consumes 22% of the world's
(GHG) emissions, mobilize innovative technologies, and strengthen the future. energy resources. Our oil and
economy. He will work with our international partners to secure our Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle gas addiction in particular has led to wars and human rights abuses in
energy future, to create opportunities for American industry, and to leave East and Venezuela combined. many countries.
a better future for our children. Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars -- cars that can get up to 150 miles The regional and global peaks in oil, gas, coal and uranium production
per gallon -- on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are driving up costs of
John McCain's Principles for Climate Policy are built here in America. conventional fuels, threatening wars and social chaos if we cannot move
Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by beyond the dirty fuels
• Climate Policy Should Be Built On Scientifically-Sound, Mandatory 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. immediately and invest in only the cleanest, most sustainable energy
Emission Reduction Targets And Timetables. Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse strategies.
gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. We advocate strong energy policies at all levels of government to shift
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
• Climate Policy Should Utilize A Market-Based Cap And Trade decisively away from polluting
System. ENERGY PLAN OVERVIEW: energy systems towards reduced energy use and clean energy sources.
We oppose energy utility deregulation. We support strong protections for
• Climate Policy Must Include Mechanisms To Minimize Costs And Provide Short-term Relief to American Families electricity and natural gas
Work Effectively With Other Markets. • Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy consumers. These protections can only occur in a locally-controlled, fully
Rebate to American Families. regulated energy system that
• Climate Policy Must Spur The Development And Deployment Of • Crack Down on Excessive Energy Speculation. directly links generation with transmission and distribution. We recognize
Advanced Technology. • Swap Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Cut Prices. that deregulation and its
reliance on markets - as opposed to state-based regulations - is incapable
• Climate Policy Must Facilitate International Efforts To Solve The Learn More... of providing affordable,
Problem. reliable and clean energy. We support state efforts to regain control over
electricity by establishing
Eliminate Our Need for Middle Eastern and Venezuelan Oil within 10 democratic, public control systems to locally coordinate supply and
John McCain's Cap and Trade Policy Years demand and by eliminating energy
• Increase Fuel Economy Standards. trading. Consumers deserve full disclosure of the specific electric
John McCain Proposes A Cap-And-Trade System That Would Set Limits On • Get 1 Million Plug-In Hybrid Cars on the Road by 2015. generating facilities used to produce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Encouraging The Development Of Low- • Create a New $7,000 Tax Credit for Purchasing Advanced Vehicles. their electricity. We support net-metering to make decentralized energy
Cost Compliance Options. A climate cap-and-trade mechanism would set a • Establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard. production economically viable.
limit on greenhouse gas emissions and allow entities to buy and sell • A ―Use it or Lose It‖ Approach to Existing Oil and Gas Leases. Energy management must be governed by the principle of conservation,
rights to emit, similar to the successful acid rain trading program of the • Promote the Responsible Domestic Production of Oil and Natural Gas. efficiency, and clean
early 1990s. The key feature of this mechanism is that it allows the renewables. Of highest importance is to use less, then to use wisely, and
market to decide and encourage the lowest-cost compliance options. Learn More... to have clean production of
what is used. We advocate strong public policies to widely deploy
How Does A Cap-And-Trade System Work? conservation, efficiency, and clean
Create Millions of New Green Jobs renewable energy technologies. Examples include tax credits, renewable
A cap-and-trade system harnesses human ingenuity in the pursuit of • Ensure 10 percent of Our Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources by portfolio standards, research
alternatives to carbon-based fuels. Market participants are allotted total 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. programs, loans and grants. Existing policies that currently benefit nuclear
permits equal to the cap on greenhouse gas emissions. If they can invent, • Deploy the Cheapest, Cleanest, Fastest Energy Source – Energy power, combustion
improve, or acquire a way to reduce their emissions, they can sell their Efficiency. technologies (including technologies that produce burnable fuels) or large
extra permits for cash. The profit motive will coordinate the efforts of • Weatherize One Million Homes Annually. hydroelectric dams should be
venture capitalists, corporate planners, entrepreneurs, and • Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology. eliminated and reallocated to conservation, efficiency, wind and solar
environmentalists on the common motive of reducing emissions. • Prioritize the Construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline. power.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets And Timetables Learn More...
2012: Return Emissions To 2005 Levels (18 Percent Above 1990 Levels)
Reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
2020: Return Emissions To 1990 Levels (15 Percent Below 2005 Levels) • Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
2030: 22 Percent Below 1990 Levels (34 Percent Below 2005 Levels) • Make the U.S. a Leader on Climate Change.
2050: 60 Percent Below 1990 Levels (66 Percent Below 2005 Levels)
The Cap And Trade System Would Allow For The Gradual Reduction Of
Emissions.
The cap and trade system would encompass electric power, transportation
fuels, commercial business, and industrial business – sectors responsible
for just below 90 percent of all emissions. Small businesses would be
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
exempt. Initially, participants would be allowed to either make their own
GHG reductions or purchase "offsets" – financial instruments representing
a reduction, avoidance, or sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions
practiced by other activities, such as agriculture – to cover 100 percent
of their required reductions. Offsets would only be available through a
program dedicated to ensure that all offset GHG emission reductions are
real, measured and verifiable. The fraction of GHG emission reductions
permitted via offsets would decline over time.
Innovating, Developing and Deploying Technologies
To Support The Cap And Trade System, John McCain Will Promote The
Innovation, Development And Deployment Of Advanced Technologies. John
McCain will reform federal government research funding and infrastructure
to support the cap and trade emissions reduction goals and emphasize
the commercialization of low-carbon technologies. Under John McCain's
plan:
Emissions Permits Will Eventually Be Auctioned To Support The
Development Of Advanced Technologies. A portion of the process of these
auctions will be used to support a diversified portfolio of research and
commercialization challenges, ranging from carbon capture and
sequestration, to nuclear power, to battery development. Funds will also
be used to provide financial backing for a Green Innovation Financing
and Transfer (GIFT) to facilitate commercialization.
John McCain Will Streamline The Process For Deploying New Technologies
And Requiring More Accountability From Government Programs To Meet
Commercialization Goals And Deadlines.
John McCain Will Ensure Rapid Technology Introduction, Quickly Shifting
Research From The Laboratory To The Marketplace.
John McCain Will Employ The Inherent Incentives Provided By A Cap-And-
Trade System Along With Government-Led Competitions As Incentives For
New Technology Deployment.
John McCain Will Foster Rapid and Clean Economic Growth
John McCain Believes An Effective And Sustainable Climate Policy Must Also
Support Rapid Economic Growth. John McCain will use a portion of
auction proceeds to reduce impacts on low-income American families. The
McCain plan will accomplish this in part by incorporating measures to
mitigate any economic cost of meeting emission targets, including:
Trading Emission Permits To Find The Lowest-Cost Source Of Emission
Reductions.
Permitting "Banking" And "Borrowing" Of Permits So That Emission
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
Reductions May Be Accelerated Or Deferred To More Economically Efficient
Periods.
Permitting Unlimited Initial Offsets From Both Domestic And International
Sources.
Effectively Integrating U.S. Trading With Other International Markets,
Thereby Providing Access To Low-Cost Permit Sources.
Establishing A Strategic Carbon Reserve As A National Source Of Permits
During Periods Of Economic Duress.
Early Allocation Of Some Emission Permits On Sound Principles. This will
provide significant amount of allowances for auctioning to provide funding
for transition assistance for consumers and industry. It will also directly
allocate sufficient permits to enable the activities of a Climate Change
Credit Corporation, the public-private agency that will oversee the cap
and trade program, provide credit to entities for reductions made before
2012, and ease transition for industry with competitiveness concerns and
fewer efficiency technology options.
A commission will also be convened to provide recommendations on the
percentage of allowances to be provided for free and the percentage of
allowances to be auctioned, and develop a schedule for transition from
allocated to maximum auctioned allowances. Cap-and-trade system will
also work to maximize the amount of allowances that are auctioned off
by 2050.
John McCain Will Provide Leadership for Effective International Efforts
John McCain Believes That There Must Be A Global Solution To Global
Climate Change. John McCain will engage the international community in a
coordinated effort by:
Actively Engaging To Lead United Nations Negotiations.
Permitting America To Lead In Innovation, Capture The Market On Low-
Carbon Energy Production, And Export To Developing Countries –
Including Government Incentives And Partnerships For Sales Of Clean Tech
To Developing Countries.
Provide Incentives For Rapid Participation By India And China, While
Negotiating An Agreement With Each.
John McCain Will Develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan
John McCain Believes A Comprehensive Approach To Addressing Climate
Change Includes Adaptation As Well As Mitigation. He believes:
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
An Adaptation Plan Should Be Based Upon National And Regional Scientific
Assessments Of The Impacts Of Climate Change.
An Adaptation Plan Should Focus On Implementation At The Local Level
Which Is Where Impacts Will Manifest Themselves.
A Comprehensive Plan Will Address The Full Range Of Issues:
Infrastructure, Ecosystems, Resource Planning, And Emergency Preparation.
Health Care Straight Talk on
Health System Reform
Health Care
Quality, Affordable and Portable Coverage for All Health care is a human right, not a privilege. The
Obama's Plan to Cover Uninsured Americans: Obama will make available a Green Party supports a wide range of health care
A "Call to Action" new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed services, not just traditional medicine that too often
and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to
John McCain believes we can and must emphasizes high-tech intervention and surgical
the plan available to members of Congress. The Obama plan will have the
provide access to health care for techniques.
following features:
every American. He has proposed a
Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away from any
comprehensive vision for achieving
insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions. Medicare, which provides health care for over 40
that. For too long, our nation's million Americans, is at risk. We would vigorously
leaders have talked about reforming Comprehensive benefits. The benefit package will be similar to that offered
through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the plan pursue savings and cuts from abundant waste and
health care. Now is the time to act.
members of Congress have. The plan will cover all essential medical fraud, eliminate unnecessary services that benefit
Americans Are Worried About Health services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care. providers more than patients, and rein in
Care Costs. The problems with health Affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles. pharmaceutical industry price-gouging.
care are well known: it is too Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or 70% to 85% of illness in America is due to
expensive and 47 million people SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related unmanaged stress. This means that national
living in the United States lack federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private measures to reduce work hours, promote cyber-
health insurance. health care plan. commuting for work, and increased vacation time for
Simplified paperwork and reined in health costs. workers will significantly improve the public's health.
John McCain's Vision for Health Care Easy enrollment. The new public plan will be simple to enroll in and
Reform We advocate access for all, irrelevant of income, to
provide ready access to coverage.
stress management training such as meditation
Portability and choice. Participants in the new public plan and the
John McCain Believes The Key To National Health Insurance Exchange (see below) will be able to move
techniques, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and biofeedback.
Health Care Reform Is To Restore
from job to job without changing or jeopardizing their health care A large percentage of illness is diet-related; therefore,
Control To The Patients Themselves. improving the quality of our nation's food supply and
coverage.
We want a system of health care in our personal eating habits will lessen the strain on our
which everyone can afford and acquire Quality and efficiency. Participating insurance companies in the new public
the treatment and preventative care program will be required to report data to ensure that standards for health care system. We advocate subsidies for
they need. Health care should be quality, health information technology and administration are being met. organic foods, as well as removing sugar/caffeine
available to all and not limited by National Health Insurance Exchange: The Obama plan will create a snacks from schools. This could save our nation as
where you work or how much you make. National Health Insurance Exchange to help individuals who wish to much as $700 to $850 billion of the $1 trillion annual
Families should be in charge of their purchase a private insurance plan. The Exchange will act as a watchdog health costs.
health care dollars and have more group and help reform the private insurance market by creating rules and We support the teaching of holistic health approaches
control over care. standards for participating insurance plans to ensure fairness and to make and, as appropriate, the use of complementary and
individual coverage more affordable and accessible. Insurers would have to alternative therapies such as herbal medicines,
Making Health Insurance Innovative, issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums that
Portable and Affordable homeopathy, acupuncture, and other healing
will not depend upon health status. The Exchange will require that all the
approaches.
plans offered are at least as generous as the new public plan and have
John McCain Will Reform Health Care the same standards for quality and efficiency. The Exchange would We call for wider implementation of hospice care.
Making It Easier For Individuals And evaluate plans and make the differences among the plans, including cost We oppose the arrest, harassment or prosecution of
Families To Obtain Insurance. An anyone involved in any aspect of the production,
of services, public.
important part of his plan is to use cultivation, transportation, distribution or consumption
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
competition to improve the quality of Employer Contribution: Employers that do not offer or make a meaningful of medicinal marijuana. We also oppose the
health insurance with greater variety contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees harassment, prosecution or revocation of license of
to match people's needs, lower will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of any health-care provider who gives a recommendation
prices, and portability. Families the national plan. Small businesses will be exempt from this requirement,
should be able to purchase health or prescription for medicinal marijuana.
and will receive a new Small Business Health Tax Credit that helps reduce
insurance nationwide, across state We support informed consent laws to educate
health care costs for small businesses.
lines. consumers to potential health impact of types of
Support for Small Businesses: Barack Obama will create a Small Business
Health Tax Credit to provide small businesses with a refundable tax credit
treatment. For truly informed consent, a professional
John McCain Will Reform The Tax Code
of up to 50 percent on premiums paid by small businesses on behalf of must explain the limitations of his or her professional
To Offer More Choices Beyond training, and make the patient aware of what other
Employer-Based Health Insurance their employees. This new credit will provide a strong incentive to small
businesses to offer high quality health care to their workers and help professionals could offer differently or in addition.
Coverage. While still having the
option of employer-based coverage, improve the competitiveness of America’s small businesses. Primary care, through a renewed attention to family
every family will receive a direct Mandatory Coverage of Children: Obama will require that all children have medicine as opposed to increased medical
refundable tax credit - effectively health care coverage. Obama will expand the number of options for specialization, is necessary.
cash - of $2,500 for individuals and young adults to get coverage, including allowing young people up to age We unequivocally support a woman's right to
$5,000 for families to offset the 25 to continue coverage through their parents' plans. reproductive choice, no matter her marital status or
cost of insurance. Families will be Expansion Of Medicaid and SCHIP: Obama will expand eligibility for the age, and that contraception and safe, legal abortion
able to choose the insurance provider Medicaid and SCHIP programs and ensure that these programs continue to procedures be available on demand and be included
that suits them best and the money serve their critical safety net function.
would be sent directly to the
in all health insurance coverage in the U.S., as well as
Flexibility for State Plans: Due to federal inaction, some states have taken
insurance provider. Those obtaining free of charge in any state where a woman falls below
the lead in health care reform. The Obama plan builds on these efforts
innovative insurance that costs less the poverty level. [See section A.1. Women's Rights in
and does not replace what states are doing. States can continue to
than the credit can deposit the experiment, provided they meet the minimum standards of the national
this chapter]
remainder in expanded Health Savings
plan. Medical research must be increased, and alternative
Accounts. therapies actively sought, to combat diseases and
Lower Costs by Modernizing The U.S. Health Care System
Reducing Costs of Catastrophic Illnesses for Employers and Their eliminate their causes, especially cancer and
John McCain Proposes Making Insurance
More Portable. Americans need Employees: Catastrophic health expenditures account for a high percentage HIV/AIDS.
insurance that follows them from job of medical expenses for private insurers. The Obama plan would reimburse We call for competent social and health services for
to job. They want insurance that is employer health plans for a portion of the catastrophic costs they incur those who have special needs: the mentally ill, the
still there if they retire early and above a threshold if they guarantee such savings are used to reduce the handicapped, and those who are terminally ill.
does not change if they take a few cost of workers' premiums. Public policy needs to move in the direction of a
years off to raise the kids. Helping Patients: voluntary, community-based mental health system
Support disease management programs. Seventy five percent of total that safeguards human dignity, respects individual
John McCain Will Encourage And Expand health care dollars are spent on patients with one or more chronic autonomy, and protects informed consent. A wide
The Benefits Of Health Savings conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Accounts (HSAs) For Families. When variety of humane, effective, and empowering
Obama will require that providers that participate in the new public plan,
families are informed about medical alternative and complementary approaches should be
Medicare or the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) utilize
choices, they are more capable of proven disease management programs. This will improve quality of care, available for anyone who experiences a psychiatric
making their own decisions and often give doctors better information and lower costs. problem or mental disability.
decide against unnecessary options.
Coordinate and integrate care. Over 133 million Americans have at least 1. Universal Health Care
Health Savings Accounts take an
one chronic disease and these chronic conditions cost a staggering $1.7
important step in the direction of
trillion yearly. Obama will support implementation of programs and The United States is the only industrialized nation in
putting families in charge of what
they pay for. encourage team care that will improve coordination and integration of the world without a national health care system. The
care of those with chronic conditions. current system's high costs and widely recognized
A Specific Plan of Action: Ensuring Require full transparency about quality and costs. Obama will require failures demand that bold steps be taken. The Green
Care for Higher Risk Patients hospitals and providers to collect and publicly report measures of health Party supports a universal, comprehensive, national
care costs and quality, including data on preventable medical errors, single-payer health insurance program as the only
John McCain's Plan Cares For The nurse staffing ratios, hospital-acquired infections, and disparities in care. solution to the current disastrous for-profit system.
Traditionally Uninsurable. John Health plans will also be required to disclose the percentage of premiums
McCain understands that those without
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
prior group coverage and those with that go to patient care as opposed to administrative costs. Under a universal national single-payer health care
pre-existing conditions have the most Ensuring Providers Deliver Quality Care: system, the administrative waste of private insurance
difficulty on the individual market, Promote patient safety. Obama will require providers to report corporations would be redirected to patient care. If the
and we need to make sure they get the preventable medical errors and support hospital and physician practice
high-quality coverage they need. U.S. were to shift to a system of universal coverage
improvement to prevent future occurrences.
and a single payer plan, as in Canada, the savings in
Align incentives for excellence. Both public and private insurers tend to
John McCain Will Work With States To administrative costs would be more than enough to
pay providers based on the volume of services provided, rather than the
Establish A Guaranteed Access Plan.
quality or effectiveness of care. Providers who see patients enrolled in the
offset the cost. Expenses for businesses currently
As President, John McCain will work
new public plan, the National Health Insurance Exchange, Medicare and providing coverage would be reduced. State and local
with governors to develop a best governments would pay less because they would
practice model that states can follow FEHBP will be rewarded for achieving performance thresholds on outcome
measures. receive reimbursement for services provided to the
- a Guaranteed Access Plan or GAP -
that would reflect the best Comparative effectiveness research. Obama will establish an independent previously uninsured, and because public programs
experience of the states to ensure institute to guide reviews and research on comparative effectiveness, so would cease to be the "dumping ground" for high-risk
these patients have access to health that Americans and their doctors will have the accurate and objective patients and those rejected by HMOs when they
coverage. One approach would information they need to make the best decisions for their health and become disabled and unemployed.
establish a nonprofit corporation well-being.
that would contract with insurers to Tackle disparities in health care. Obama will tackle the root causes of Most importantly, the people of America will gain the
cover patients who have been denied health disparities by addressing differences in access to health coverage peace of mind in knowing that needed health care will
insurance and could join with other and promoting prevention and public health, both of which play a major
state plans to enlarge pools and
always be available to them. No longer will people
role in addressing disparities. He will also challenge the medical system to
lower overhead costs. There would be have to worry about facing financial disaster if they
eliminate inequities in health care through quality measurement and
reasonable limits on premiums, and become seriously ill, are laid off their jobs, or are
reporting, implementation of effective interventions such as patient
assistance would be available for navigation programs, and diversification of the health workforce.
injured in an accident.
Americans below a certain income
Insurance reform. Obama will strengthen antitrust laws to prevent insurers
level. The Green Party supports a universal,
from overcharging physicians for their malpractice insurance and will
promote new models for addressing errors that improve patient safety, comprehensive, national single-payer health plan that
John McCain Will Promote Proper
Incentives. John McCain will work strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and reduce the need for will provide the following with no increase in cost:
with Congress, the governors, and malpractice suits.
industry to make sure this approach Lowering Costs Through Investment in Electronic Health Information A publicly funded health care insurance program,
is funded adequately and has the Technology Systems: Most medical records are still stored on paper, which administered at the state and local levels.
right incentives to reduce costs such makes it hard to coordinate care, measure quality or reduce medical Lifetime benefits for everyone. No one will lose
as disease management, individual errors and which costs twice as much as electronic claims. Obama will coverage for any reason.
case management, and health and invest $10 billion a year over the next five years to move the U.S. health Freedom to choose the type of health care provider,
wellness programs. care system to broad adoption of standards-based electronic health with a wide range of health care choices.
information systems, including electronic health records, and will phase in
A Specific Plan of Action: Lowering Decision-making in the hands of health providers and
requirements for full implementation of health IT. Obama will ensure that
Health Care Costs their patients.
patients' privacy is protected.
Lowering Costs by Increasing Competition in the Insurance and Drug Comprehensive benefits, as good or better than
John McCain Proposes A Number Of Markets: The insurance business today is dominated by a small group of existing plans, including dental, vision, mental health
Initiatives That Can Lower Health
large companies that has been gobbling up their rivals. There have been care, hospice, long-term care, substance abuse
Care Costs. If we act today, we can treatment and medication coverage.
over 400 health care mergers in the last 10 years, and just two
lower health care costs for families
companies dominate a full third of the national market. These changes Participation of all licensed and/or certified health
through common-sense initiatives.
Within a decade, health spending will were supposed to make the industry more efficient, but instead premiums providers, subject to standards of practice in their
comprise twenty percent of our have skyrocketed by over 87 percent. field.
economy. This is taking an increasing Barack Obama will prevent companies from abusing their monopoly power Portable health plan benefits.
toll on America's families and small through unjustified price increases. His plan will force insurers to pay out Primary and preventive care as priorities, including
businesses. Even Senators Clinton and a reasonable share of their premiums for patient care instead of keeping wellness education about diet, nutrition and exercise.
Obama recognize the pressure exorbitant amounts for profits and administration. His new National Greatly reduced paperwork for both patients and
skyrocketing health costs place on Health Exchange will help increase competition by insurers. providers.
small business when they exempt small
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
businesses from their employer Lower prescription drug costs. The second-fastest growing type of health Fair and full reimbursement to providers for their
mandate plans. expenses is prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies are selling the services.
exact same drugs in Europe and Canada but charging Americans more Preservation of all health care services currently
CHEAPER DRUGS: Lowering Drug Prices. than double the price. Obama will allow Americans to buy their medicines
John McCain will look to bring available.
from other developed countries if the drugs are safe and prices are lower
greater competition to our drug Cost controls via streamlined administration, national
outside the U.S. Obama will also repeal the ban that prevents the
markets through safe re-importation fee schedules, bulk purchases of drugs and medical
government from negotiating with drug companies, which could result in
of drugs and faster introduction of
savings as high as $30 billion. Finally, Obama will work to increase the
equipment, and coordination of capital expenditures.
generic drugs.
use of generic drugs in Medicare, Medicaid, and FEHBP and prohibit big Prices of medications must be publicly supervised.
name drug companies from keeping generics out of markets. Hospitals that can afford safe staffing levels for
CHRONIC DISEASE: Providing Quality, registered nurses.
Cheaper Care For Chronic Disease. Fight for New Initiatives
Chronic conditions account for three- Advance the Biomedical Research Field: As a result of biomedical research Establishment of national, state, and local Health
quarters of the nation's annual the prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases such as cancer Policy Boards consisting of health consumers and
health care bill. By emphasizing and heart disease is better today than any other time in history. Barack providers to oversee and evaluate the performance of
prevention, early intervention, Obama has consistently supported funding for the national institutes of the system, expand access to care, and determine
healthy habits, new treatment models, health and the national science foundation. Obama strongly supports research priorities. All meetings of the boards shall be
new public health infrastructure and investments in biomedical research, as well as medical education and open to the public.
the use of information technology, we training in health-related fields, because it provides the foundation for Establishment of a National Health Trust Fund that
can reduce health care costs. We new therapies and diagnostics. Obama has been a champion of research
should dedicate more federal research
would channel all current Federal payments for health
in cancer, mental health, health disparities, global health, women and
to caring and curing chronic disease. care programs directly into the Fund, in addition to
children's health, and veterans' health. As president, Obama will
employees' health premium payments.
strengthen funding for biomedical research, and better improve the
COORDINATED CARE: Promoting efficiency of that research by improving coordination both within
Coordinated Care. Coordinated care -
government and across government/private/non-profit partnerships. An
with providers collaborating to
Obama administration will ensure that we translate scientific progress into
produce the best health care - offers
better outcomes at lower cost. We improved approaches to disease prevention, early detection and therapy
should pay a single bill for high- that is available for all Americans.
quality disease care which will make Fight AIDS Worldwide. There are 33 million people across the planet
every single provider accountable and infected with HIV/AIDS. As president, Obama will continue to be a global
responsive to the patients' needs. leader in the fight against AIDS. Obama believes in working across party
lines to combat this epidemic and recently joined Senator Sam Brownback
GREATER ACCESS AND CONVENIENCE: (R-KS) at a large California evangelical church to promote greater
Expanding Access To Health Care. investment in the global AIDS battle.
Families place a high value on Support Americans with Disabilities: As a former civil rights lawyer, Barack
quickly getting simple care. Obama knows firsthand the importance of strong protections for minority
Government should promote greater communities in our society. Obama is committed to strengthening and
access through walk-in clinics in better enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so that future
retail outlets. generations of Americans with disabilities have equal rights and
opportunities. Obama believes we must restore the original legislative
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Greater Use
intent of the ADA in the wake of court decisions that have restricted the
Of Information Technology To Reduce
interpretation of this landmark legislation.
Costs. We should promote the rapid
deployment of 21st century
information systems and technology Barack Obama is also committed to ensuring that disabled Americans
that allows doctors to practice receive Medicaid and Medicare benefits in a low-cost, effective and timely
across state lines. manner. Recognizing that many individuals with disabilities rely on
Medicare, Obama worked with Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) to urge the
MEDICAID AND MEDICARE: Reforming The department of health and human services to provide clear and reliable
Payment System To Cut Costs. We must information on the Medicare prescription drug benefit and to ensure that
reform the payment systems in the Medicare recipients were protected from fraudulent claims by
Medicaid and Medicare to compensate
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
providers for diagnosis, prevention marketers and drug plan agents.
and care coordination. Medicaid and Improve Mental Health Care. Mental illness affects approximately one in
Medicare should not pay for five American families. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates
preventable medical errors or that untreated mental illnesses cost the U.S. more than $100 billion per
mismanagement. year. As president, Obama will support mental health parity so that
coverage for serious mental illnesses are provided on the same terms and
SMOKING: Promoting The Availability conditions as other illnesses and diseases.
Of Smoking Cessation Programs. Most
Protect Our Children from Lead Poisoning. More than 430,000 American
smokers would love to quit but find
children have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood. Lead can
it hard to do so. Working with
business and insurance companies to cause irreversible brain damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems,
promote availability, we can improve and, at very high levels, seizures, coma and death. As president, Obama
lives and reduce chronic disease will protect children from lead poisoning by requiring that child care
through smoking cessation programs. facilities be lead-safe within five years.
Reduce Risks of Mercury Pollution. More than five million women of
STATE FLEXIBILITY: Encouraging States childbearing age have high levels of toxic mercury in their blood, and
To Lower Costs. States should have approximately 630,000 newborns are born at risk every year. Barack
the flexibility to experiment with Obama has a plan to significantly reduce the amount of mercury that is
alternative forms of access, deposited in oceans, lakes, and rivers, which in turn would reduce the
coordinated payments per episode amount of mercury in fish.
covered under Medicaid, use of Support Americans with Autism. More than one million Americans have
private insurance in Medicaid, autism, a complex neurobiological condition that has a range of impacts
alternative insurance policies and on thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. As
different licensing schemes for diagnostic criteria broaden and awareness increases, more cases of autism
providers.
have been recognized across the country. Barack Obama believes that we
can do more to help autistic Americans and their families understand and
TORT REFORM: Passing Medical
Liability Reform. We must pass live with autism. He has been a strong supporter of more than $1 billion
medical liability reform that in federal funding for autism research on the root causes and treatments,
eliminates lawsuits directed at and he believes that we should increase funding for the Individuals with
doctors who follow clinical Disabilities Education Act to truly ensure that no child is left behind.
guidelines and adhere to safety
protocols. Every patient should have More than anything, autism remains a profound mystery with a broad
access to legal remedies in cases of spectrum of effects on autistic individuals, their families, loved ones, the
bad medical practice but that should community, and education and health care systems. Obama believes that
not be an invitation to endless, the government and our communities should work together to provide a
frivolous lawsuits. helping hand to autistic individuals and their families.
TRANSPARENCY: Bringing Transparency
To Health Care Costs. We must make
public more information on treatment
options and doctor records, and
require transparency regarding
medical outcomes, quality of care,
costs and prices. We must also
facilitate the development of
national standards for measuring and
recording treatments and outcomes.
Confronting the Long-Term Challenge
John McCain Will Develop A Strategy
For Meeting The Challenge Of A
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
Population Needing Greater Long-Term
Care. There have been a variety of
state-based experiments such as Cash
and Counseling or The Program of All-
Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
that are pioneering approaches for
delivering care to people in a home
setting. Seniors are given a monthly
stipend which they can use to hire
workers and purchase care-related
services and goods. They can get help
managing their care by designating
representatives, such as relatives or
friends, to help make decisions. It
also offers counseling and
bookkeeping services to assist
consumers in handling their
programmatic responsibilities.
Setting the Record Straight: Covering
Those With Pre-Existing Conditions
MYTH: Some Claim That Under John
McCain's Plan, Those With Pre-
Existing Conditions Would Be Denied
Insurance.
FACT: John McCain Supported The
Health Insurance Portability And
Accountability Act In 1996 That Took
The Important Step Of Providing Some
Protection Against Exclusion Of Pre-
Existing Conditions.
FACT: Nothing In John McCain's Plan
Changes The Fact That If You Are
Employed And Insured You Will Build
Protection Against The Cost Of Any
Pre-Existing Condition.
FACT: As President, John McCain Would
Work With Governors To Find The
Solutions Necessary To Ensure Those
With Pre-Existing Conditions Are Able
To Easily Access Care.
Combating Autism in America
John McCain is very concerned about
the rising incidence of autism among
America's children and has
continually supported research into
its causes and treatment.
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Political Party comparisons. Republicans Democrats Greens
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