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Election '08: The Issues at a Glance
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Economy | Proposes a middle-class tax credit of $500 per worker or $1,000 per working family to help stimulate the economy, would roll back Bush tax cuts for people earning more than $250,000. Proposes $10 billion in relief to states to help them retain programs hard-hit by the economic downturn. Proposes a $10 billion fund to help families avoid home foreclosure. | Would continue Bush tax cuts, including those for the richest 1 percent. Would cut corporate income tax rate by 10 percent, returning $4 billion a year to oil companies. Proposes that some home mortgage holders in danger of foreclosure, who can prove creditworthiness, can apply for a new FHA-guaranteed home loan. |
Workers' Rights | Voted for the Employee Free Choice Act; has promised to fight for it and sign into law as president. Will push for a ban on permanent striker replacement. | Opposes the Employee Free Choice. Voted to allow permanent striker replacement and for national "right-to-work" law, which failed to pass. |
Health Care | Would not tax workers for their employer-paid health care benefits. Supports reform leading to affordable, universal health care. Health care goals call for guaranteed eligibility; no rejection for age, illness or prior conditions. | Would have workers pay income tax on their employer-paid health benefits. Tax credit of up to $5,000 per family to purchase private health insurance. Insurance companies could continue to reject people for coverage for any reason. |
Jobs/Trade | In trade agreements, would require labor and environmental standards from trading partners. Calling for major investment in clean energy and green manufacturing, as well investment in rebuilding infrastructure to spur job growth. Supports CWA's plan for universal, affordable broadband access (Speed Matters) to create jobs and boost the economy. | Supports unrestricted free trade, including pending Colombia trade deal; does not call for worker or environmental standards. Believes lowering corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent will promote investment and job creation. Supports more training programs for displaced workers by overhauling unemployment insurance system. |
Retirement Security | Opposed Bush plan to partially privatize Social Security. Proposes shoring up the system with Social Security payroll tax increase for people earning more than $250,000 a year. Would eliminate payment of income taxes by seniors making less than $50,000. | Voted for Bush plan for partial privatization of Social Security, continues to advocate privatization. Has voted for, and continues to favor, raising Social Security eligibility age to 68. Would consider cutting Social Security cost of living increases. |