Greetings.
For veterans, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton wishes to honor three fundamental commitments: every member of the armed forces shall receive a fair shot at the American dream when their service is finished, every veteran in America will have healthcare, and every veteran will receive the benefits they have earned and the assistance they need—right from the start. To allow members of the armed forces to receive their shot at the American dream, Clinton promotes enacting a GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century to offer service members, veterans and their families with expanded education, housing and entrepreneurial benefits. She wants this bill to fund undergraduate education for service members, as well as education for specialized trade or technical training, and certification and licensing programs. She also wants to expand the Veterans’ Affairs Home Loan Guaranty program to allow veterans to use low-interest, no-fee loans to purchase, build or improve a home. Clinton also promotes giving veterans access to the VA’s excellent and cost-effective healthcare system to all veterans who seek to enroll and wishes to provide coverage through the American Health Choices Plan to all veterans who choose not to use the VA system. Adding to this, Clinton is committed to getting a fair, accurate, and timely decision for veterans filing a disability claim. She wants to increase the number of qualified VA evaluators to reduce the backlog of claims and provide fast-track training for new claims specialists and expand the Benefits at Discharge Program to smooth the transition from service to discharge for all those who serve.
Much like Clinton, Democratic candidate Barack Obama is committed to creating a 21st century Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He wishes to strength VA care and make it a leader of national healthcare reform so that veterans can get the best care possible. He wants to fully fund the VA so it has all the resources it needs to serve the veterans who need it, when they need it. By creating a world-class VA Planning Division, Obama hopes to avoid future budget shortfalls. Obama also promotes the improvement of mental health care at every stage of military service, by recruiting more health professionals, improving screenings, offering more support to families and making PTSD benefits claims fairer. Along with healthcare, Obama supports establishing a national “zero tolerance” policy for veterans falling into homelessness by expanding proven programs and launching innovative services to prevent this.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain also supports providing for service member and their families while they service and helping them adjust to civilian life. Due to how the role of reservists has changed over the last decade, McCain supports legislation to expand retirement benefits for them such as provisions to expand eligibility for healthcare benefits for them and their families or grant survivor benefit payments to the spouses of reservists who die during or as the result of training. McCain also supports expanding VA’s funding so that it receives all that is necessary to serve veterans. He proposes giving higher pay to VA doctors in order to recruit and retain high quality physicians and dentists. McCain also wishes to ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive the retirement benefits that they have earned, as well as the disability compensation benefits they are entitled to. He wants to have veterans have their disability claims processed in a timely manner, working with the VA to rectify its huge backlog of claims and providing additional resources for that purpose. To allow veterans to receive both disability and retirement, McCain supports repealing the ban on receiving both of them at the same time. McCain also is a strong supporter of educational and job counseling programs to help veterans get civilian employment. He also strongly supports the Troops-To-Teachers Act, a program to train veterans to become teachers. He also supports extending unemployment and vocational training benefits for veterans.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Patrick McCain on the Economy
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about the Economy.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about the Economy.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Platform Seven: Economics
Greetings.
Democratic candidate Barack Obama wants to restore fairness to the tax code and provide relief by creating a new “Making Work Pay” tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1000 per working family to offset the payroll tax they pay. Also concerned with taxes, Obama promotes the dramatic simplification tax filing so that Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than five minutes. Obama wishes to ensure that the IRS uses the information it already gets from banks and employers to give taxpayers the option of pre-filled tax forms to verify, sign and return. Obama also encourages the deployment of the most modern communications infrastructure to reduce the costs of health care, help solve the energy crisis, create new jobs, and fuel economical growth. In doing this, Obama wants to make long-term investments in education, training, and workforce development so that Americans can leverage our strengths—ingenuity and entrepreneurialism—to create new high-wage jobs. Obama also promotes the strengthening the ability of workers to organize by ensuring workers’ freedom to unionize, but also promotes raising the minimum wage to allow full-time workers earn enough to raise their families and pay basic needs.
The Republican candidate John McCain starts by promoting helping American confront higher living costs. He believes the high gasoline price is hurting Americans and hence want to create a summer gas tax holiday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. To help the middle class, McCain wants to permanently repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax—a tax that will be paid nearly exclusively by middle class families. McCain also supports keeping tax rates low by maintaining the current income and investment tax rates and fight any plans for a tax increases. Keeping taxes low on dividends and capital gains also promotes saving, channel investment dollars to innovative, high-value uses and not wasteful financial planning. McCain also proposes to allow corporations to deduct the cost of equipment investment, providing a valuable pro-growth investment incentive. The senator also wishes to lower Medicare premiums and also has proposed comprehensive, pro-market health care and Medicare reforms to reduce health care costs. The health care reform also will reduce the growth in Medicare spending, protect seniors against rising premiums and preserve the advancements in medical science center to providing quality care. He also supports supplementing the current Social Security system with personal accounts.
The other Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, addresses the rising income inequality. She supports a return to shared prosperity and tax fairness, while expanding access to quality education and healthcare for all. To do this, Clinton wants to first level the playing field and reduce special breaks for big corporations. Clinton wishes to eliminate incentives for American companies to ship jobs and profits overseas. She believes the current policy puts companies that create jobs in America at a competitive disadvantage and she wants to pursue tax policies that reward the decision to create jobs in America. Clinton wants to give every young person an opportunity to attend college, increasing support for community colleges and alternative schools. To do this, she wants to make college more affordable so that students of all backgrounds can attend, and hence expanding regional skills alliances and other job training programs to ensure workers have the valuable skills they need. Clinton also promotes helping working people earn enough to support their families and save for the future by simplifying and expanding the EITC, overhauling the unemployment insurance system, and making it easier for workers to join unions. Clinton also wishes to make investments necessary for creating new jobs.
Democratic candidate Barack Obama wants to restore fairness to the tax code and provide relief by creating a new “Making Work Pay” tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1000 per working family to offset the payroll tax they pay. Also concerned with taxes, Obama promotes the dramatic simplification tax filing so that Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than five minutes. Obama wishes to ensure that the IRS uses the information it already gets from banks and employers to give taxpayers the option of pre-filled tax forms to verify, sign and return. Obama also encourages the deployment of the most modern communications infrastructure to reduce the costs of health care, help solve the energy crisis, create new jobs, and fuel economical growth. In doing this, Obama wants to make long-term investments in education, training, and workforce development so that Americans can leverage our strengths—ingenuity and entrepreneurialism—to create new high-wage jobs. Obama also promotes the strengthening the ability of workers to organize by ensuring workers’ freedom to unionize, but also promotes raising the minimum wage to allow full-time workers earn enough to raise their families and pay basic needs.
The Republican candidate John McCain starts by promoting helping American confront higher living costs. He believes the high gasoline price is hurting Americans and hence want to create a summer gas tax holiday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. To help the middle class, McCain wants to permanently repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax—a tax that will be paid nearly exclusively by middle class families. McCain also supports keeping tax rates low by maintaining the current income and investment tax rates and fight any plans for a tax increases. Keeping taxes low on dividends and capital gains also promotes saving, channel investment dollars to innovative, high-value uses and not wasteful financial planning. McCain also proposes to allow corporations to deduct the cost of equipment investment, providing a valuable pro-growth investment incentive. The senator also wishes to lower Medicare premiums and also has proposed comprehensive, pro-market health care and Medicare reforms to reduce health care costs. The health care reform also will reduce the growth in Medicare spending, protect seniors against rising premiums and preserve the advancements in medical science center to providing quality care. He also supports supplementing the current Social Security system with personal accounts.
The other Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, addresses the rising income inequality. She supports a return to shared prosperity and tax fairness, while expanding access to quality education and healthcare for all. To do this, Clinton wants to first level the playing field and reduce special breaks for big corporations. Clinton wishes to eliminate incentives for American companies to ship jobs and profits overseas. She believes the current policy puts companies that create jobs in America at a competitive disadvantage and she wants to pursue tax policies that reward the decision to create jobs in America. Clinton wants to give every young person an opportunity to attend college, increasing support for community colleges and alternative schools. To do this, she wants to make college more affordable so that students of all backgrounds can attend, and hence expanding regional skills alliances and other job training programs to ensure workers have the valuable skills they need. Clinton also promotes helping working people earn enough to support their families and save for the future by simplifying and expanding the EITC, overhauling the unemployment insurance system, and making it easier for workers to join unions. Clinton also wishes to make investments necessary for creating new jobs.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Patrick McCain on the Environment
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about the Environment.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about the Environment.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Platform Six: Environment
Greetings.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 and also cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from 2030 projected levels. To assist in the cutting of foreign oil imports and through knowing that transportation accounts for 70 percent of US oil consumption, Clinton wants to increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of “Green Vehicle Bonds” to help US automakers retool their plants to meet the standards. She also supports a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy. Clinton also promotes an aggressive comprehensive energy efficiency agenda to reduce electicity consumption by changing the ways utilities do business.
The other Democratic candidate, Barack Obama also supports the reduction of carbon emissions by 80 percent of the 1990 levels by 2050. To also help with greenhouse gas emissions, Obama wants to develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners, farmers and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands, or undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Much like Clinton, Obama wishes to double fuel economy standards by retooling tax credits and loan guarantees for domestic auto plants and parts manufacturers. Along with these, Obama wants to invest in a skilled clean technologies workforce and help workers and industries adapt to clean technology development and production. Obama wants to establish a federal investment program to help manufacturing centers modernize and Americans learn the new skills they need to produce green products.
On the other side of the presidential race, Republican candidate John McCain feels committed to clean air and water, and to conserving open space. He feels that America has a duty to the resources upon which the quality of American life depends. McCain pushes the ensuring clean air, safe and healthy water, sustainable land use, and ample greenspace is a responsibility of Americans. He believes that ignoring the problems poses a serious and unacceptable threat to the environment, economy and national security. McCain wants to limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster, reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 and also cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from 2030 projected levels. To assist in the cutting of foreign oil imports and through knowing that transportation accounts for 70 percent of US oil consumption, Clinton wants to increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and $20 billion of “Green Vehicle Bonds” to help US automakers retool their plants to meet the standards. She also supports a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy. Clinton also promotes an aggressive comprehensive energy efficiency agenda to reduce electicity consumption by changing the ways utilities do business.
The other Democratic candidate, Barack Obama also supports the reduction of carbon emissions by 80 percent of the 1990 levels by 2050. To also help with greenhouse gas emissions, Obama wants to develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners, farmers and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands, or undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Much like Clinton, Obama wishes to double fuel economy standards by retooling tax credits and loan guarantees for domestic auto plants and parts manufacturers. Along with these, Obama wants to invest in a skilled clean technologies workforce and help workers and industries adapt to clean technology development and production. Obama wants to establish a federal investment program to help manufacturing centers modernize and Americans learn the new skills they need to produce green products.
On the other side of the presidential race, Republican candidate John McCain feels committed to clean air and water, and to conserving open space. He feels that America has a duty to the resources upon which the quality of American life depends. McCain pushes the ensuring clean air, safe and healthy water, sustainable land use, and ample greenspace is a responsibility of Americans. He believes that ignoring the problems poses a serious and unacceptable threat to the environment, economy and national security. McCain wants to limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster, reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Patrick McCain on Foreign Policy
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about Foreign Policy.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about Foreign Policy.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Platform Five: National Security and Foreign Policy
Greetings
The problem that appears in looking at the foreign policy of the presidential candidates is not necessarily their stances on the platform, but more over the platform itself. I put this for the reason of attempting to not make John McCain look like a war-monger, as the information I have of his stance is on national defense and not simply foreign policy.
Speaking of John McCain, the Republican candidate’s national defense platform supports having a strong military in this dangerous world. He believes that the threat of terrorism, rogue states and potential strategic competitors require a larger and more capable military to protect America’s interests and deter threats to security. McCain also advocates the modernization of our forces to ensure that American maintains and expands its technological edge against potential adversaries. This advancement is not only in case of war, but also in fighting the war on terrorism, where McCain intends to ensure that America has the quality intelligence necessary to uncover plots before they take root. With the strengthen military, John McCain believes that the answer to these challenges is not to roll back our overseas commitments to support defense, but to expand the size of the military to defend against threats. He does not support the decision to use force lightly, only when the cause is just, and our nation’s values and interest absolutely demand it. Along with a strong military, John McCain supports the development of missile defense which he believes are critical to protect America from rogue regimes that possess the capability to target America with intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Following John McCain, Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy platform pushes that we much create global coalitions to tackle global problems such as climate change, poverty, AIDS, and terrorism. She also believes we must engage our enemies, though not necessarily approve or agree with them, but understand them, which is crucial to confronting the threats they pose. Clinton takes seriously the threats of terrorism and believes we must not be distracted by Iraq on waging the war on terror effectively, promising to be tough and smart in combating terrorism. She also supports Israel’s right to exist peacefully and defend its people against terrorism. Clinton has spoken out against Hamas’s rise to power in Palestine, the problem of anti-Semitism in Palestinian textbooks and Iran’s conference on the Holocaust. She also pushes to advance peace in Northern Ireland by maintaining close ties with Irish leaders and promoting business partnerships between Northern Ireland and the United States.
On the other side of the Democratic party, Barack Obama pushes for diplomacy for many world events. He supports direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions, asking them to abandon its nuclear program and remove its support for terrorism. Incentives for this would be membership in the World Trade Organization and a move toward normal diplomatic relations, while continuing in these behaviors Obama would increase our economic pressure and political isolation. Included in speaking with Iran, Obama supports starting talks with international leaders that may be foes, feeling we must rally international support for our leadership and draw on this support for the ranging challenges from terrorism to climate change. In the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Obama wishes to progress and work with the Israelis and Palestinians to achieve the goal of the two states, both an Israel and Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. Also, Obama supports strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and cracking down on countries that break the rules with strong international sanctions. Along with diplomacy, Obama also wishes to reduce the strain on our active force by increase the size of ground forces. He wishes to restore the readiness of the National Guard and Reserves, permitting them adequate time to train and rest between deployments, also planning to give the Guard a seat at the table by making the Chief of the National Guard a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The problem that appears in looking at the foreign policy of the presidential candidates is not necessarily their stances on the platform, but more over the platform itself. I put this for the reason of attempting to not make John McCain look like a war-monger, as the information I have of his stance is on national defense and not simply foreign policy.
Speaking of John McCain, the Republican candidate’s national defense platform supports having a strong military in this dangerous world. He believes that the threat of terrorism, rogue states and potential strategic competitors require a larger and more capable military to protect America’s interests and deter threats to security. McCain also advocates the modernization of our forces to ensure that American maintains and expands its technological edge against potential adversaries. This advancement is not only in case of war, but also in fighting the war on terrorism, where McCain intends to ensure that America has the quality intelligence necessary to uncover plots before they take root. With the strengthen military, John McCain believes that the answer to these challenges is not to roll back our overseas commitments to support defense, but to expand the size of the military to defend against threats. He does not support the decision to use force lightly, only when the cause is just, and our nation’s values and interest absolutely demand it. Along with a strong military, John McCain supports the development of missile defense which he believes are critical to protect America from rogue regimes that possess the capability to target America with intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Following John McCain, Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy platform pushes that we much create global coalitions to tackle global problems such as climate change, poverty, AIDS, and terrorism. She also believes we must engage our enemies, though not necessarily approve or agree with them, but understand them, which is crucial to confronting the threats they pose. Clinton takes seriously the threats of terrorism and believes we must not be distracted by Iraq on waging the war on terror effectively, promising to be tough and smart in combating terrorism. She also supports Israel’s right to exist peacefully and defend its people against terrorism. Clinton has spoken out against Hamas’s rise to power in Palestine, the problem of anti-Semitism in Palestinian textbooks and Iran’s conference on the Holocaust. She also pushes to advance peace in Northern Ireland by maintaining close ties with Irish leaders and promoting business partnerships between Northern Ireland and the United States.
On the other side of the Democratic party, Barack Obama pushes for diplomacy for many world events. He supports direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions, asking them to abandon its nuclear program and remove its support for terrorism. Incentives for this would be membership in the World Trade Organization and a move toward normal diplomatic relations, while continuing in these behaviors Obama would increase our economic pressure and political isolation. Included in speaking with Iran, Obama supports starting talks with international leaders that may be foes, feeling we must rally international support for our leadership and draw on this support for the ranging challenges from terrorism to climate change. In the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Obama wishes to progress and work with the Israelis and Palestinians to achieve the goal of the two states, both an Israel and Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. Also, Obama supports strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and cracking down on countries that break the rules with strong international sanctions. Along with diplomacy, Obama also wishes to reduce the strain on our active force by increase the size of ground forces. He wishes to restore the readiness of the National Guard and Reserves, permitting them adequate time to train and rest between deployments, also planning to give the Guard a seat at the table by making the Chief of the National Guard a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Patrick McCain on Healthcare
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about Healthcare.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about Healthcare.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Phillip Mullinnix on Healthcare
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Phillip Mullinnix was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about Healthcare.
Wofford Senior Phillip Mullinnix was kind enough to give short interviews on his thoughts about Healthcare.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Platform Four: Health Care
Greetings.
Republican candidate John McCain first promotes bringing costs under control as a way to assist health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private health benefits for retirees, and allow companies to effectively compete around the world. He also promotes competition throughout the health care system—between providers and among alternative treatments. McCain then wants to allow patients greater roles in prevention and care, putting more decisions and responsibility in their hands. While doing this, McCain wants to make public more information on treatment options and require transparency by providers regarding medical outcomes, quality of care, costs, and prices. To assist with Medicare, McCain wants to reform the payment system to compensate providers for diagnosis, prevention, care coordination and to make Medicare not have to pay for preventable medical errors or mismanagement. McCain also promotes the passing of tort reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits and excessive damage awards. Provide a safe harbor for doctors that follow clinical guidelines and adhere to patient safety protocols. John McCain believes that insurance reforms should raise the variety and affordability of insurance coverage, and though reforming the tax code, wants to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health insurance.
Democratic front-runner Barack Obama promotes to cover uninsured Americans by guaranteeing eligibility, so that no American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions. Following this, Obama promotes a comprehensive benefits package that will be similar to that offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the plan which members of Congress have, with affordable premiums, co-pays, deductibles and subsidies for individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance. Continuing this, Obama wishes to ensure providers deliver quality care by aligning incentives for excellence. To assist doctors, Obama will strengthen antitrust laws to prevent insurers from overcharging physicians for their malpractice insurance and will promote new models for addressing errors that improve patient safety. Across the globe, Obama also wishes to continue the fight against AIDS and promotes a greater investment in it.
Hillary Clinton promotes giving tax credits to small businesses that provide health care to their workers to make them more competitive and help create good jobs with health benefits that will stay in the US. Much like Obama, Hillary also promotes insurance companies not denying coverage, allowing families to keep their coverage even if they fall ill or lose their jobs. She also promotes allowing Americans to receive the same insurance options as the members of Congress as part of the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program, much like Obama. Clinton also promotes removing hidden taxes, stressing prevention and a focus on efficiency and modernization to improve quality and lower costs. Finally, Hillary wishes to end unfair health insurance discrimination by creating a level-playing field of insurance rules across states and markets, to ensure that no American is denied coverage, refused renewal, unfairly priced or forced to pay excessive premiums.
Republican candidate John McCain first promotes bringing costs under control as a way to assist health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private health benefits for retirees, and allow companies to effectively compete around the world. He also promotes competition throughout the health care system—between providers and among alternative treatments. McCain then wants to allow patients greater roles in prevention and care, putting more decisions and responsibility in their hands. While doing this, McCain wants to make public more information on treatment options and require transparency by providers regarding medical outcomes, quality of care, costs, and prices. To assist with Medicare, McCain wants to reform the payment system to compensate providers for diagnosis, prevention, care coordination and to make Medicare not have to pay for preventable medical errors or mismanagement. McCain also promotes the passing of tort reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits and excessive damage awards. Provide a safe harbor for doctors that follow clinical guidelines and adhere to patient safety protocols. John McCain believes that insurance reforms should raise the variety and affordability of insurance coverage, and though reforming the tax code, wants to eliminate the bias toward employer-sponsored health insurance.
Democratic front-runner Barack Obama promotes to cover uninsured Americans by guaranteeing eligibility, so that no American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions. Following this, Obama promotes a comprehensive benefits package that will be similar to that offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the plan which members of Congress have, with affordable premiums, co-pays, deductibles and subsidies for individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance. Continuing this, Obama wishes to ensure providers deliver quality care by aligning incentives for excellence. To assist doctors, Obama will strengthen antitrust laws to prevent insurers from overcharging physicians for their malpractice insurance and will promote new models for addressing errors that improve patient safety. Across the globe, Obama also wishes to continue the fight against AIDS and promotes a greater investment in it.
Hillary Clinton promotes giving tax credits to small businesses that provide health care to their workers to make them more competitive and help create good jobs with health benefits that will stay in the US. Much like Obama, Hillary also promotes insurance companies not denying coverage, allowing families to keep their coverage even if they fall ill or lose their jobs. She also promotes allowing Americans to receive the same insurance options as the members of Congress as part of the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program, much like Obama. Clinton also promotes removing hidden taxes, stressing prevention and a focus on efficiency and modernization to improve quality and lower costs. Finally, Hillary wishes to end unfair health insurance discrimination by creating a level-playing field of insurance rules across states and markets, to ensure that no American is denied coverage, refused renewal, unfairly priced or forced to pay excessive premiums.
Patrick McCain and Craig Sudduth on Education
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain and Junior Craig Sudduth were kind enough to give short interviews on their thoughts about Education.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain and Junior Craig Sudduth were kind enough to give short interviews on their thoughts about Education.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Platform Three: Education
Greetings.
With only three candidates left, the field becomes much smaller. For John McCain, the race for the candidancy is over; now—as the Republican candidate—he aims for the Presidency. For Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton though, they must still win the Democratic Candidancy, and though Obama is in the lead, Clinton is not too far behind. But for the platform at this moment, I will look education.
The Republican Candidate, John McCain, first pushes that public schools should be charged with the responsibility of educating children, and must report to parents and the public. McCain believes that student should be allowed access access to all schools, including home schooling. He feels that the No Child Left Behind program has focused on how student performs against a common standard, but McCain believes we can’t accept low standards for some students and high standards for others, and thus we must finally see what is happening to students who were previously invisible. Also, McCain believes that the schools must compete to be innovative, flexible and student-centered institutions and also must compete for the most effective, character-building teachers, hire them and reward them. McCain feels that if the schools won’t change, the students should be able to change schools and wants to pursue to reform the system to seek genuine accountability and responsibility for producing well-educated children. Finally, McCain will place children and parents at the center of the education process and put federal financial support to help parents move their children from failing schools.
Currently in the lead of the Democratic race, Barack Obama first plans for a comprehensive “Zero to Five” plan to provide early childhood support, which places key emphasis at early care and education for infants and increase affordable and high-quality child care. No Child Left Behind reform, first by funding the law. Obama doesn’t think teachers should be forced to teach in preparation for standardized testing, so he will improve assessments to measure readiness for college and the workplace. He shall address the dropout crisis by passing legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies (such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction and extended learning time) in middle school. Obama supports transitional bilingual education and will help Limited English Proficient students get ahead by holding schools accountable for making sure these students complete school and will create new Teacher Service Scholarships to cover teacher education in exchange for teaching at least four years in a high-need field or location, but also will support the teachers by expanding mentoring programs with experienced teacher and promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay.
To help catch up, Hillary Clinton has many plans for education reform, such as ending unfunded mandate known as No Child Left Behind and meeting the funding promises of IDEA to ensure that children with special needs get the attention and support they deserve. Clinton also supports the recruitment and retaining of thousands more outstanding teachers and creating “green schools” to reduce energy costs and eliminate environmental hazards. She wants to identify at-risk youth early and provide one billon dollars for intense intervention and also invest $100 million in new summer a internship program. For higher education, Clinton will also strengthen community colleges with $500 million investment, increase to $10,000 the college scholarship for those who participate in AmeriCorps full-time for one year, get rid of the red tape in financial aid, hold college cost down and challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities.
With only three candidates left, the field becomes much smaller. For John McCain, the race for the candidancy is over; now—as the Republican candidate—he aims for the Presidency. For Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton though, they must still win the Democratic Candidancy, and though Obama is in the lead, Clinton is not too far behind. But for the platform at this moment, I will look education.
The Republican Candidate, John McCain, first pushes that public schools should be charged with the responsibility of educating children, and must report to parents and the public. McCain believes that student should be allowed access access to all schools, including home schooling. He feels that the No Child Left Behind program has focused on how student performs against a common standard, but McCain believes we can’t accept low standards for some students and high standards for others, and thus we must finally see what is happening to students who were previously invisible. Also, McCain believes that the schools must compete to be innovative, flexible and student-centered institutions and also must compete for the most effective, character-building teachers, hire them and reward them. McCain feels that if the schools won’t change, the students should be able to change schools and wants to pursue to reform the system to seek genuine accountability and responsibility for producing well-educated children. Finally, McCain will place children and parents at the center of the education process and put federal financial support to help parents move their children from failing schools.
Currently in the lead of the Democratic race, Barack Obama first plans for a comprehensive “Zero to Five” plan to provide early childhood support, which places key emphasis at early care and education for infants and increase affordable and high-quality child care. No Child Left Behind reform, first by funding the law. Obama doesn’t think teachers should be forced to teach in preparation for standardized testing, so he will improve assessments to measure readiness for college and the workplace. He shall address the dropout crisis by passing legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies (such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction and extended learning time) in middle school. Obama supports transitional bilingual education and will help Limited English Proficient students get ahead by holding schools accountable for making sure these students complete school and will create new Teacher Service Scholarships to cover teacher education in exchange for teaching at least four years in a high-need field or location, but also will support the teachers by expanding mentoring programs with experienced teacher and promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay.
To help catch up, Hillary Clinton has many plans for education reform, such as ending unfunded mandate known as No Child Left Behind and meeting the funding promises of IDEA to ensure that children with special needs get the attention and support they deserve. Clinton also supports the recruitment and retaining of thousands more outstanding teachers and creating “green schools” to reduce energy costs and eliminate environmental hazards. She wants to identify at-risk youth early and provide one billon dollars for intense intervention and also invest $100 million in new summer a internship program. For higher education, Clinton will also strengthen community colleges with $500 million investment, increase to $10,000 the college scholarship for those who participate in AmeriCorps full-time for one year, get rid of the red tape in financial aid, hold college cost down and challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Republican Candidacy Ends, Democratic Candidacy Revives
Greetings.
Upon entering John McCain’s website, a grand image of hills and a sunset is shown with the words “John McCain Wins Republican Nomination.” With his sweep of Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island, McCain gained the required number of delegates to gain the GOP nomination. Upon this sweep, former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee declared that while “it’s been a heckuva run,” he was dropping out of the race for the Republican candidacy. Though it was suggested to the former Governor, much earlier, to drop out of the race, Huckabee decided that he wanted to stay and “finish the game.” Yet with McCain gaining the 1,191 delegates to claim the nomination, Huckabee bowed out of the race, urging his supporters to back McCain in November.
Within the Democratic side of the race, there is a much different story though. Before Tuesday (according to CNN.com) Hilary Clinton stood at 1,275 pledged delegates and Obama at 1,511 pledged delegates towards the needed 2,024 delegates needed to win. With Obama on an eleven state winning streak, it was not unexpected for him to win Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island. Gaining all four would have given Obama 158 more delegates, putting him up 1,669 to Hilary’s 1,275 delegates, making it incredibly difficult to catch up and more then likely some of the superdelegates would put pressure for Clinton to drop out of the race. With Clinton’s winning of Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island, the Democratic candidacy became a race once more.
Upon entering John McCain’s website, a grand image of hills and a sunset is shown with the words “John McCain Wins Republican Nomination.” With his sweep of Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island, McCain gained the required number of delegates to gain the GOP nomination. Upon this sweep, former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee declared that while “it’s been a heckuva run,” he was dropping out of the race for the Republican candidacy. Though it was suggested to the former Governor, much earlier, to drop out of the race, Huckabee decided that he wanted to stay and “finish the game.” Yet with McCain gaining the 1,191 delegates to claim the nomination, Huckabee bowed out of the race, urging his supporters to back McCain in November.
Within the Democratic side of the race, there is a much different story though. Before Tuesday (according to CNN.com) Hilary Clinton stood at 1,275 pledged delegates and Obama at 1,511 pledged delegates towards the needed 2,024 delegates needed to win. With Obama on an eleven state winning streak, it was not unexpected for him to win Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island. Gaining all four would have given Obama 158 more delegates, putting him up 1,669 to Hilary’s 1,275 delegates, making it incredibly difficult to catch up and more then likely some of the superdelegates would put pressure for Clinton to drop out of the race. With Clinton’s winning of Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island, the Democratic candidacy became a race once more.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Patrick McCain on Immigration
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give a short interview on his thoughts about Immigration.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give a short interview on his thoughts about Immigration.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Platform Two: Immigration
Greetings.
Immigration is another platform that each of the candidates address. None of the candidates argue that there is a problem with the current affairs of immigration, but each of the candidates have a different way to deal with it.
Republican front runner John McCain believes that a secure border is an essential element of national security, and not only entry and exit of people, but also effective screening of cargo at ports and points of entry into the country. By using pro-growth policies such as keeping spending in check, holding down taxes and cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens, McCain believes that businesses can hire and pay the best, which would give reasons against hiring illegal immigrants. To also do this, McCain wants an attempt to keep employers in business and the economy on top so that skilled Americans and immigrants can have opportunities. Expanding upon this is an education system that gives younger workers skills and also allows displaced workers to modernize so they can pursue other opportunities. And finally, McCain promotes an assimilation of the immigrant population, including learning of English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society.
With much different opinions, Ron Paul first believes that we must first physically secure borders and coastlines. Paul believes we should do whatever it takes to control entry into the country before undertaking complicated immigration reform proposals. Following this, Ron Paul wants to more strongly enforce the visa rules. He then proposes that officials track down visa holders and deport immigrants who have overstayed their visa or violated US laws. Ron Paul is against amnesty or welfare for illegals, feeling that taxpayers should not pay for illegals who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads or social services. Ron Paul is also the only candidate to openly support an end to birthright citizenship, which is an incentive to enter the US illegally. Finally, after doing all of this, Ron Paul believes they must pass true immigration reform.
On the Democratic side of the race, Hilary Clinton calls for a comprehensive immigration reform that respects immigrants’ heritage and honors the rule of law. She believes the reform must strengthen the borders, greater cross-cooperation with neighbors, strick but fair enforcement of the laws, federal assistance to state and local governments, strict penalties for those who hire undocumented workers, and a path to earned legal status for those who are here, working hard, and paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar. Clinton believes that we need to know more about who is in the country by securing the borders and making employers comply with the law against hiring undocumented workers. Though Clinton opposes a guest worker program, she supports the DREAM Act, which provides a path to citizenship through military service or higher education for children who were brought to the US by their parents.
Much like Ron Paul, Republican Mike Huckabee believes that securing borders must be top priority and has reached the level of national emergency. Huckabee supports money being given to train and deploy more agents, add drone planes, build more fences and vehicle barriers, and put up radar and camera towers. He also supports turning the current “catch and release” to “catch and detain” for those entering illegally or overstaying their visas. Unlike Hilary Clinton, Mike Huckabee opposes amnesty and the DREAM Act, believing it would lead to amnesty. He also will not tolerate sanctuaries for illegals and wants the government to crack down on rogue cities or employers who hire illegals, and will punish with fines and penalties so large that it is not worth the risk. Huckabee also opposes giving driver’s licenses to illegals and supports legislation to prevent states from doing so. Mike Huckabee also will not allow open borders, amnesty, sanctuary, false Social Security numbers or driver’s licenses for illegals.
Finally is Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, who believes the problems are the increase of undocumented immigrants, the immigration bureaucracy is broken, overwhelmed, and forcing legal immigrants to wait years for applications, and immigration raids are ineffective and placed the burdens on immigrant families. To rectify these problems, Obama has plans. Obama wants to preserve the integrity of the borders with additional personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and in ports of entry. He believes we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill, that we need to remove incentives to enter illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. Finally, Obama believes that we also need to promote development in Mexico to decrease illegal immigration.
Immigration is another platform that each of the candidates address. None of the candidates argue that there is a problem with the current affairs of immigration, but each of the candidates have a different way to deal with it.
Republican front runner John McCain believes that a secure border is an essential element of national security, and not only entry and exit of people, but also effective screening of cargo at ports and points of entry into the country. By using pro-growth policies such as keeping spending in check, holding down taxes and cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens, McCain believes that businesses can hire and pay the best, which would give reasons against hiring illegal immigrants. To also do this, McCain wants an attempt to keep employers in business and the economy on top so that skilled Americans and immigrants can have opportunities. Expanding upon this is an education system that gives younger workers skills and also allows displaced workers to modernize so they can pursue other opportunities. And finally, McCain promotes an assimilation of the immigrant population, including learning of English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society.
With much different opinions, Ron Paul first believes that we must first physically secure borders and coastlines. Paul believes we should do whatever it takes to control entry into the country before undertaking complicated immigration reform proposals. Following this, Ron Paul wants to more strongly enforce the visa rules. He then proposes that officials track down visa holders and deport immigrants who have overstayed their visa or violated US laws. Ron Paul is against amnesty or welfare for illegals, feeling that taxpayers should not pay for illegals who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads or social services. Ron Paul is also the only candidate to openly support an end to birthright citizenship, which is an incentive to enter the US illegally. Finally, after doing all of this, Ron Paul believes they must pass true immigration reform.
On the Democratic side of the race, Hilary Clinton calls for a comprehensive immigration reform that respects immigrants’ heritage and honors the rule of law. She believes the reform must strengthen the borders, greater cross-cooperation with neighbors, strick but fair enforcement of the laws, federal assistance to state and local governments, strict penalties for those who hire undocumented workers, and a path to earned legal status for those who are here, working hard, and paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar. Clinton believes that we need to know more about who is in the country by securing the borders and making employers comply with the law against hiring undocumented workers. Though Clinton opposes a guest worker program, she supports the DREAM Act, which provides a path to citizenship through military service or higher education for children who were brought to the US by their parents.
Much like Ron Paul, Republican Mike Huckabee believes that securing borders must be top priority and has reached the level of national emergency. Huckabee supports money being given to train and deploy more agents, add drone planes, build more fences and vehicle barriers, and put up radar and camera towers. He also supports turning the current “catch and release” to “catch and detain” for those entering illegally or overstaying their visas. Unlike Hilary Clinton, Mike Huckabee opposes amnesty and the DREAM Act, believing it would lead to amnesty. He also will not tolerate sanctuaries for illegals and wants the government to crack down on rogue cities or employers who hire illegals, and will punish with fines and penalties so large that it is not worth the risk. Huckabee also opposes giving driver’s licenses to illegals and supports legislation to prevent states from doing so. Mike Huckabee also will not allow open borders, amnesty, sanctuary, false Social Security numbers or driver’s licenses for illegals.
Finally is Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, who believes the problems are the increase of undocumented immigrants, the immigration bureaucracy is broken, overwhelmed, and forcing legal immigrants to wait years for applications, and immigration raids are ineffective and placed the burdens on immigrant families. To rectify these problems, Obama has plans. Obama wants to preserve the integrity of the borders with additional personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and in ports of entry. He believes we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill, that we need to remove incentives to enter illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. Finally, Obama believes that we also need to promote development in Mexico to decrease illegal immigration.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Patrick McCain on Iraq
Greetings.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give a short interview on his thoughts about Iraq and the Presidential Candidates.
Wofford Senior Patrick McCain was kind enough to give a short interview on his thoughts about Iraq and the Presidential Candidates.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Platform One: Iraq
Greetings.
Many of the candidates were in either the House or Senate in 2002 when Bush asked for the authority to use military force to invade
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Candidates
Greetings.
Since the
Pledged Delegates
Democrats
- McCain – 903
- Romney – 253
- Huckabee – 245
- Paul – 14
Democrats
- Obama – 1280
- Edwards – 26
- Gravel – 0
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