From barackobama.com
May 03, 2008 09:05 pm
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Name: Barack Obama
Age: 46
Occupation: U.S. Senator representing Illinois
Office sought: President of the United States
Party affiliation: Democratic
Family: Wife, Michelle; two daughters, Malia and Sasha
Elected offices and years held: U.S. Senator, 2005-present; Illinois state senate, 1996-2004
Other qualifications: Graduated Columbia University (1983), with major in political science; law degree from Harvard (1991), with J.D. major (magna cum laude); attended Occidental College.
Government committees: Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee, 2005 and 2006; served on the Environment and Public Works Committee
Candidate’s Web site: barackobama.com
Economy: Barack Obama has pledged to create a tax cut for working families. The Making Work Pay tax would give 150 million workers with a credit of up to $500 per person or $1,000 per working family. It would eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans.
He plans to amend the North American Free Trade Agreement to better serve Americans. He introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 to provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time American workers relative to those outside the U.S., according to his campaign.
Obama also promises to raise the minimum wage, protect union workers and those on strike, improve transition assistance programs and invest in U.S. manufacturing.
Iraq:Obama on the issues
By BRANDI WATTERS
brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
Economy
Barack Obama has pledged to create a tax cut for working families. The Making Work Pay tax would give 150 million workers with a credit of up to $500 per person or $1,000 per working family. It would eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans.
He plans to amend the North American Free Trade Agreement to better serve Americans. He introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 to provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time American workers relative to those outside the U.S., according to his campaign.
Obama also promises to raise the minimum wage, protect union workers and those on strike, improve transition assistance programs and invest in U.S. manufacturing.
He also plans to create a universal mortgage credit. The 10 percent credit will provide an average of $500 for 10 million homeowners who do not itemize tax relief. The credit is aimed at those who earn less than $50,000 annually, according to his campaign. Obama’s economic plan includes the expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Iraq:
Obama plans an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. One to two combat brigades would be removed each month, leading up to complete withdrawal within 16 months of his taking office.
Some troops would remain in Iraq to protect U.S. interests including the embassy and diplomats in the country.
He will launch what the campaign considers to be the most aggressive diplomatic effort in recent American history to reach stability in the Middle East. Obama would seek the help of the United Nations in directing the Iraqi government to address the governing of the country.
Veterans
Obama has pledged to address veterans’ medical and psychiatric needs by investing in the VA and allowing all veterans to access VA care. Among his first acts will be the reversal of the 2003 ban on enrolling modest-income veterans. Also in his plans: A zero tolerance policy will be instituted for veterans falling into homelessness; a seamless transition into the civilian world complete with medical and psychiatric care to ensure treatment of war-related injuries, including PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
Health care:
Obama has devised a plan to serve all uninsured Americans. The difference, he says, is choice. Obama says Clinton’s similar program mandates that all Americans enroll in the program or face penalties. His does not. In fact, Obama has said he will not interfere with state-based programs successfully serving Americans. This would mean the Healthy Indiana Plan would continue unless it fails to serve Hoosiers. He does mandate that every American child have health coverage.
Obama’s health care plan, which he pledges to make available to all Americans, is modeled after coverage given to members of Congress.
Gas prices:
During his visit to Anderson, Obama pledged to “go after” the windfall profits of big oil companies. He admits that he cannot lower gas prices over night but believes the solution to the oil crisis is energy independence.
Obama plans to invest in the creation of renewable energy which he believes, will create American jobs and solve the country’s dependence on foreign oil.
Education
Obama would reform No Child Left Behind legislation by funding the law. According to his campaign, Obama would improve NCLB’s accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them. Obama also plans to invest in intervention strategies in middle school emphasizing parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction and personal academic plans. He plans to create new Teacher Service scholarships that cover four years of undergraduate or two years of graduate education in exchange for teaching at least four years in high-need schools.
To help college students, Obama plans to create an American Opportunity Tax Credit which would ensure that the first $4,000 of college education is completely free for most Americans.
Immigration:
Obama supports measures to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and believes the U.S. must tighten border security. He would also improve the immigration system to increase the number of legal immigrants and allow undocumented immigrants in good standing to pay a fine, learn English and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. He also believes the U.S. must work with Mexico to decrease illegal immigration by promoting economic development in the country.
Energy:
Obama supports a push to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and would invest $150 billion over the next 10 years in clean energy which includes biofuels and fuel infrastructure. He supports ethanol production but believes it is a transitional technology and inevitably drives up feed prices. He plans to reduce U.S. oil consumption by at least 35 percent or 10 million barrels per day, by 2030.
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