This is the first of two installments of Platform Wrangling. I have read the 2008 platforms put forth by both the Democrat and Republican parties. Below you will see a comparison of their views on Fiscal Policy, Energy/Environment, Healthcare, and Education.
Early next week, I will bring you their thoughts on Foreign Policy, Military Issues, Gun Control, Civil Liberties, and Reproductive Rights.
Fiscal Policy:
Republicans still believe wealth actually trickles down.
Advocate to make 2001/2003 tax cuts permanent, reduce business and capital gains taxes. They believe in limited regulation and allowing the open market to balance the economy. "We believe in the free market as the best tool to sustained prosperity and opportunity for all." (pg. 28)
In order to save money in Washington, Republicans propose to freeze spending and eliminate wasteful programs, reinstate a presidential line-item veto, and placing more responsibility on the states.
Democrats believe in more distribution of economic wealth and opportunity so all people can feel secure and pursue happiness.
"We must build on the wealth that open markets have created and share its benefits more equitably." (pg. 26) Democrats would allow the tax cuts to expire and wouldn't raise taxes on anyone making under $250,000
In order to save money in Washington, Democrats will end the Iraq war timely and responsibility, place a fee on polluters, evaluate programming and reorganize or eliminate wasteful programs.
Environment and Energy:
Democrats: New technology and they call on us to be grown ups by taking responsibility for what humans (especially in the west) have collectively done to mess up the natural world.
To alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, Democrats want to fast track investment in green technology research, production and deployment of solar, wind, geothermal, clean coal, etc. Also, they "call on businesses, government, and the American people to make America 50% more energy efficient by 2030." (pg. 17)
As for climate change, Democrats recognize it is a "man-made threat to the planet" (pg. 43) and call for a Global Energy Forum to discuss and create global commitment to reducing energy emissions.
Republicans: Drilling, Nuclear Energy and who cares about animals really?
Republicans main priority in energy is drilling and refining oil in the U.S. "We oppose any effort that would permanently block access to the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." (pg. 32) They also advocate for some nuclear energy technology, renewable resources, clean coal and natural gas.
"Republicans caution against the doomsday climate change scenarios," (pg. 36) and believe a robust economy is the best way to deal with climate change. They will not ask anyone to sacrifice for the environment and think that private ownerships of land is the "best guarantee of conscientious stewardship." (pg.36)
Healthcare:
Democrats think everyone should be covered and healthcare needs to be affordable, accessible and flexible. All children should be covered!
Democrat policy would include a person having an option to have health coverage through their work or through other private companies or public programs. These options should be accessible and affordable. "Health insurance should accept all applicants and be prohibited from charging different prices based on pre-existing conditions." (pg. 11)
Democrats support increased funding for biomedical and stem cell research.
In addition, they reinforce their commitment to women's health. "We oppose the current Administration's consistent attempts to undermine a women's ability to make her own life choices and obtain reproductive healthy care including birth control.” (pg. 13)
Republicans think open markets will work for healthcare, because it worked so well for the stock market.
Republicans believe open markets and privatization will regulate costs. "It lets consumers make better decisions about where to spend their health care dollars, thereby fostering competition and lowering costs." (pg. 39) They encourage companies to cover pre-existing conditions, but leave the standards to the patient's state of residency.
Republicans support limited stem cell research. They also support robust intellectual property laws. As far as women's health, they support allowing medical professionals to refuse healthcare service if they feel it is against their conscience.
Education:
Republicans believe that giving vouchers to students to attend private schools will somehow help public schools.
Republicans believe in "school choice" through vouchers and tax credits for religious, charter and home schools. They call for a review of Department of Education and cut programs. To recruit teachers they will develop a teacher corps of business and military professionals to fill-in teacher spots when needed.
Democrats want to make sure teachers and administrators are given every opportunity to help students learn. They also realize learning doesn’t just happen during school hours and other programming to supplement education is necessary to produce a strong, smart and capable next generation.
Democrats believe in increased resources for public schools including professional development for educators, after school programs, early childhood education, and alternative education programs. Incentives (such as college tuition/loan assistance) for teachers that serve at-risk communities, mentor new teachers and excel in the classroom.
Early next week, I will bring you their thoughts on Foreign Policy, Military Issues, Gun Control, Civil Liberties, and Reproductive Rights.
Fiscal Policy:
Republicans still believe wealth actually trickles down.
Advocate to make 2001/2003 tax cuts permanent, reduce business and capital gains taxes. They believe in limited regulation and allowing the open market to balance the economy. "We believe in the free market as the best tool to sustained prosperity and opportunity for all." (pg. 28)
In order to save money in Washington, Republicans propose to freeze spending and eliminate wasteful programs, reinstate a presidential line-item veto, and placing more responsibility on the states.
Democrats believe in more distribution of economic wealth and opportunity so all people can feel secure and pursue happiness.
"We must build on the wealth that open markets have created and share its benefits more equitably." (pg. 26) Democrats would allow the tax cuts to expire and wouldn't raise taxes on anyone making under $250,000
In order to save money in Washington, Democrats will end the Iraq war timely and responsibility, place a fee on polluters, evaluate programming and reorganize or eliminate wasteful programs.
Environment and Energy:
Democrats: New technology and they call on us to be grown ups by taking responsibility for what humans (especially in the west) have collectively done to mess up the natural world.
To alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, Democrats want to fast track investment in green technology research, production and deployment of solar, wind, geothermal, clean coal, etc. Also, they "call on businesses, government, and the American people to make America 50% more energy efficient by 2030." (pg. 17)
As for climate change, Democrats recognize it is a "man-made threat to the planet" (pg. 43) and call for a Global Energy Forum to discuss and create global commitment to reducing energy emissions.
Republicans: Drilling, Nuclear Energy and who cares about animals really?
Republicans main priority in energy is drilling and refining oil in the U.S. "We oppose any effort that would permanently block access to the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." (pg. 32) They also advocate for some nuclear energy technology, renewable resources, clean coal and natural gas.
"Republicans caution against the doomsday climate change scenarios," (pg. 36) and believe a robust economy is the best way to deal with climate change. They will not ask anyone to sacrifice for the environment and think that private ownerships of land is the "best guarantee of conscientious stewardship." (pg.36)
Healthcare:
Democrats think everyone should be covered and healthcare needs to be affordable, accessible and flexible. All children should be covered!
Democrat policy would include a person having an option to have health coverage through their work or through other private companies or public programs. These options should be accessible and affordable. "Health insurance should accept all applicants and be prohibited from charging different prices based on pre-existing conditions." (pg. 11)
Democrats support increased funding for biomedical and stem cell research.
In addition, they reinforce their commitment to women's health. "We oppose the current Administration's consistent attempts to undermine a women's ability to make her own life choices and obtain reproductive healthy care including birth control.” (pg. 13)
Republicans think open markets will work for healthcare, because it worked so well for the stock market.
Republicans believe open markets and privatization will regulate costs. "It lets consumers make better decisions about where to spend their health care dollars, thereby fostering competition and lowering costs." (pg. 39) They encourage companies to cover pre-existing conditions, but leave the standards to the patient's state of residency.
Republicans support limited stem cell research. They also support robust intellectual property laws. As far as women's health, they support allowing medical professionals to refuse healthcare service if they feel it is against their conscience.
Education:
Republicans believe that giving vouchers to students to attend private schools will somehow help public schools.
Republicans believe in "school choice" through vouchers and tax credits for religious, charter and home schools. They call for a review of Department of Education and cut programs. To recruit teachers they will develop a teacher corps of business and military professionals to fill-in teacher spots when needed.
Democrats want to make sure teachers and administrators are given every opportunity to help students learn. They also realize learning doesn’t just happen during school hours and other programming to supplement education is necessary to produce a strong, smart and capable next generation.
Democrats believe in increased resources for public schools including professional development for educators, after school programs, early childhood education, and alternative education programs. Incentives (such as college tuition/loan assistance) for teachers that serve at-risk communities, mentor new teachers and excel in the classroom.
I encourage everyone to look at the platforms on their own.
Don’t forget to vote November 4th!
Don’t forget to vote November 4th!
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