I firmly believe that the most important thing in an election is not that citizens vote, but that they get informed, then vote.
A citizen who merely pulls the lever for whoever has an "R" in front of
their name does a disservice to their country. If he cannot be troubled
to spend twenty minutes becoming acquainted with the issues then he would be better off simply staying home.
Towards that end I'm posting an issue-by-issue comparison of the Republican and Democratic tickets (AKA, the only candidates that matter). I will attempt to make this as strictly non-partisan and unbiased as possible. My hope is that, whoever you choose to vote for, you'll be choosing them not because of party, but because of actual relevant information.
My primary sources for this will be Project Votesmart & Ontheissues.
1. Abortion
Romney: Firmly pro-life. Claims to have had an epiphany when touring a cloning facility which led him to change his previously pro-choice stance. He has stated that "scientifically", life begins at conception (again, as a result of the same visit). Following in the same vein, he has said that it would be a "good day" were Roe v. Wade to be repealed. Stated he personally advocates abstinence, but has no desire to outlaw contraception.
Ryan: Also pro-life. Has a 0% rating by NARAL, believes life begins at conception, and has voted against federal funding for both abortions and stem cell research.
Obama: Pro-Choice. He has stated that he is "undecided" on whether life begins at conception or not. Regardless, he believes that women have a legal right to safe abortions (though in 2008 he stated it was ok for States to block late-term abortions) and expanding embryonic stem cell research. 100% rating by NARAL.
Biden: Also pro-Choice. He has said he personally accepts the Catholic Church's decision that abortion is wrong, but does not translate that to his public life. However, in 2007 he stated that there should be no Federal Funding for abortions.
2. Budget, taxes, & economy
Romney: Statements from Romney generally are along the lines of "Cutting spending is the solution" to the budget. He has repeatedly insisted that he will not raise taxes on either the wealthy or the middle class, claiming he will make up gaps by cutting spending and eliminating loopholes. He was one of the few Republican candidates to propose switching America to a territorial, vs worldwide, tax code.
On the bailouts he was originally tepid on Obama's bailing out of large auto companies, but by 2011 had come out against them, and in 2012 said that bankruptcy would have led to a stronger Detroit in the long run. He has maintained throughout, however, that the TARP package was necessary to avoid economic meltdown.
From his book "No Apologies": "There's a good deal of rhetoric today from liberal politicians who say that we need to tax those corporations that "send jobs overseas." I'm afraid they don't understand that companies with subsidiaries in other countries pay taxes there. Requiring them to pay still-higher US taxes would make them less competitive in those markets, making it bad for their business overseas, and also for jobs here. Sales made by subsidiaries of US companies are often supported by high-paying jobs in finance, research & management at home. And if a company's tax burden under such legislation grew too high, it could simply move overseas to avoid it--resulting in a loss of tax revenue for the US, not a net gain."
Ryan: Known as a rabid deficit hawk, most of Ryan's statements and votes are geared towards cutting back Federal spending at the expense of programs deemed "non-essential" in order to balance the budget. However, he did vote in favor of the bailout for GM & Chrysler, and also for the $192B stimulus spending bill. He has intensely rejected the notion that the rich should pay more to make up for the deficit. In the VP debate, he said (paraphrased) "Even if the rich paid 100% of their income, it wouldn't be enough. There aren't enough rich people to do that."
Both Romney & Ryan have at various times said they would favor a plan to cap federal spending as a percentage of GDP.
Obama: Endorses a policy he himself branded "economic patriotism". Believes the rich should pay "a little more" in order to pay for the operation of the Federal government in tough times. Under his administration, responses to failing businesses in Detroit led to a Federal subsidy to keep GM & Chrysler in business. This bailout package resulted in the government briefly becoming the majority stockholder in GM.
In general, the President focuses on reducing the tax burden on the middle class. For corporations, he has a target tax rate of 25% and believes that ship jobs overseas should be taxed for doing so. He favors continuing or deepening the progressive tax system the Federal government currently employs in which the richest pay a much higher tax burden as a percentage of their overall earnings, while the poorer citizens pay progressively less.
Biden: Similar positions to Obama in terms of a progressive tax plan. He said that TARP "stuck in his throat", but it worked, and believes the bailouts of Detroit were the right thing to do. Has repeated the ticket slogan of the rich paying a little more, but if we reach into the Way-Back machine for a moment, in 1997 he voted "yes" to support a Constitutional amendment mandating a balanced budget.
3: Civil Rights (Namely, gay marriage & affirmative action)
Romney: Opposes gay "marriage", but on 9/19/2012 said that a gay couple should be able to enjoy all the same rights (such as hospital visits) as a straight couple, with the actual term "marriage" being reserved for traditional marriage.
Ryan: Also opposes gay marriage and opposed the repeal of DADT. He did however vote in favor of a bill that would outlaw discrimination in the workplace due to sexual orientation.
Rated by the NAACP at 36%, indicating a mixed stance on affirmative action, but I couldn't find anything specific in terms of statements or votes in this regard.
Obama: Has long said that homosexuality is not a choice, and in 2012 he reversed his 2007 position and came out in favor of gay marriage. He has still maintained that the decision to enact the legalization of gay marriage should be left to the States, but that no Federal law should invalidate said marriages.
From his campaign's website:
"Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer: I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.
But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.
What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens"
Voting record and interest group ratings all indicate a very pro-affirmative action stance.
Biden: He was the first on the ticket to come out officially in support of gay marriage. Essentially the same stances as Obama on these two issues.
4. Energy & Environment
Romney: On global warming, in his book "No Apologies", 2010:
"I am uncertain how much of the warming, however, is attributable to man and how much is attributable to factors out of our control. I do not support radical feel-good policies like a unilateral US cap-and-trade mandate. Such policies would have little effect on the climate but could cripple economic growth.
Oil is purported to be one of the primary contributors to rising global temperatures. If in fact global warming is importantly caused by our energy appetite, it's yet one more reason for going on an energy diet.
Scientists are nearly unanimous in laying the blame for rising temperatures on greenhouse gas emissions. Of course there are also reasons for skepticism. The earth may be getting warmer, but there have been numerous times in the earth's history when temperatures have been warmer than they are now...
As nations like China and India make available to their citizens the automobiles and appliances that we take for granted in the West, their energy demands--and their emissions--will rise dramatically. If developing nations won't curb emissions, even extreme mitigation measures taken by the US and other developed nations will have no appreciable effect on slowing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions.
These considerations lead me to this: We would pursue a no-regrets policy at home, and we should continue to engage in global efforts--not just US & European efforts--to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. By no regrets, I mean that we ought to take unilateral action on emissions when doing so is also consistent with our objective for reducing our dependence on foreign oil."
During an interview on Sep. 4, 2012 he proposed having the States approve resource management within their own borders, which he claims would cut down significantly the time required to approve permits without sacrificing environmental concerns because the States are better at it. In 2008 he endorsed giving the States the right to have their own emissions standards.
On energy, he has frequently endorsed the use of nuclear energy, believes that subsidies for green companies should be ended, and envisions an America that uses all of the resources within its borders (including oil, coal, etc). That includes drilling in ANWR if it is economical to do so.
Ryan: Voted yes to open up the continental shelf for drilling for oil & natural gas (2011), and to stop the EPA from regulating CO2 as an air pollutant. Like Romney, does not believe in the cap & trade system. Generally votes in favor of any bill that opens up areas for drilling and/or mining for resources.
Obama: Has endorsed the use of a cap & trade system to fight global warming. For example, this quote from his 2004 campaign website for Illinois senate:
"Obama will support legislation requiring that by 2020, 20% of the nation’s power supply portfolio comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy. Promoting renewable energy will create new investments and new jobs without increasing prices. Obama has proposed a flexible market-based approach that allows electricity providers to either generate the renewable energy themselves, obtain it from other companies, or purchase credits from providers who exceed the standard."
His administration has invested billions in the green energy sector in an effort to have wind, solar, and nuclear energy solutions to take on a greater share of the current American infrastructure. A centerpiece of his "all-of-the-above" answer to our energy problems is clean coal, which makes sense since coal currently provides approximately 44% of the power in America, though the first clean coal power plant has not yet come online according to FactCheck.org.
Voting record includes ending subsidies for oil explorations (2007), disallowing drilling in ANWR (2007), and sponsoring a bill to increase CAFE standards (AKA emissions standards) by 4% each year until 2018 (2006). In 2007 he voted yes to a bill that would make global warming a consideration for federal project planning.
Biden: Generally in step with Obama throughout his long history in government. He also sponsored the same 2006 CAFE standards bill, voted yes to address CO2 standards in America without considering emissions in India & China, supports cap & trade, etc.
5. Military & Foreign Policy
Romney: It's very difficult to assess any sort of "voting record" on foreign policy for Romney, since Governors do not directly play a hand in foreign policy by definition. His speeches have centered around ensuring America's power does not decline abroad. At the Republican National Convention, he stated he wanted a military "so strong, no nation would dare test it." Towards that end, he has proposed maintaining or increasing defense spending. He opposes a timetable to leave Afghanistan, saying that this is essentially giving our enemies a "wait until" date for our defeat, believing instead that decision ought to be up to our generals.
Ryan: Voted in favor of military intervention in Iraq, opposes timetables for withdrawal from Afghanistan, and has voted in favor of increasing defense spending on multiple occasions.
Obama: Oversaw the withdrawal of troops from Iraq that was began under the Bush administration, having opposed that war since 2004. He has also set a 2014 deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, then located in Pakistan, was killed under his Administration and with his approval.
From his campaign's 2008 website:
"Barack Obama believes that strengthening weak states at risk of collapse, economic meltdown or public health crises strengthens America’s security. Obama will double U.S. spending on foreign aid to $50 billion a year by 2012."
A good quote that seems to sum up his approach to the rest of the world (2008 Black Caucus):
"As commander-in-chief, all of us would have a responsibility to keep the American people safe. That’s our first responsibility. I would not hesitate to strike against anybody who would do Americans or American interests’ harm. What I do believe is that we have to describe a new foreign policy that says, for example, I will meet not just with our friends, but with our enemies, because I remember what Kennedy said, that we should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate. Having that kind of posture is the way we effectively debate the Republicans on this issue. Because if we just play into the same fear-mongering that they have been engaged in since 9/11, then we are playing on their battlefield, but, more importantly, we are not doing what’s right in order to rebuild our alliances, repair our relationships around the world, and actually make us more safe in the long term."
Biden: Voted yes to enlarging NATO to include other Eastern European countries in 2002. He voted in favor of the war in Iraq, but has since said he regrets that vote due to his perception of Bush's abuse of the powers it gave him.
A quote on the role of America abroad:
"[I would] make two fundamental changes in this [Bush's] administration’s policy. We have to jettison this notion of preemption as a doctrine, and we have to jettison the notion of regime change. Replace it with prevention; open our ears and talk, before things become crises.
And, two, we have to move in the direction of making sure that we deal with the one thing that no one’s talking about, and that is conduct change, not regime change. Think of the folly of what this administration has acted on. It has said, “By the way, give up your weapons, the very thing that’s [stopping] us from attacking you. And once you give them up, then we’re going to take you out.” That’s the logic of this administration. That’s why we’ve lost respect all over the world. My goal would be to reestablish America’s place in the world."
6. Gun Control
Romney: Supports the assault weapon ban & a law that made it more difficult to purchase a handgun by instituting a 5 day wait period, and proudly claimed that these positions "would not make him a hero with the NRA". He has since said in 2007 & again recently in the 2012 debates that he would not support any additional gun control legislation, believing that what we have on the books is sufficient if it were to be enforced.
Ryan: Voted in favor of a bill to protect gun manufacturers from lawsuits over the use of the weapons they produced. He also voted in favor of a bill that (in DC, where the Federal government is the only government) that repealed registration requirements for guns in DC, as well as repealing a restriction on semi-automatic weapons.
Obama: Like Romney, supports bans on assault weapons. He has maintained support for the 2nd amendment, but believes that localities have the right to ban guns if they wish (Politico interview, 2008, on his position in favor of the DC handgun ban).
Biden: Voted no on protecting gun manufacturers from lawsuits, yes on background checks at gun shows, and also supports an assault weapon ban.
7. Healthcare
I think it is fairly self evident that Obama is pro-Obamacare, and Romney would be naturally against it. I won't go into the details of Obamacare in this format, but here's some highlights:
Romney has vowed to repeal Obamacare, though that is obviously outside his power to do so were he to be elected. The repeal of a law requires a 2/3 vote of both the House & Senate, which is unlikely. That being said, bills to defund Obamacare are possible. Those bills would naturally be veto'd were Obama to be elected. Thus, while Romney may not be able to repeal Obamacare, it is much more likely that less of Obamacare will be implemented if he is elected vs Obama. Bottom line: If you're anti-Obamacare, you're pro-Romney, and vice versa.
These are far from the only issues, and far from all the information available. I encourage you to do your own fact checking and investigating, because the only way we will improve our government is through informed voting.
Towards that end I'm posting an issue-by-issue comparison of the Republican and Democratic tickets (AKA, the only candidates that matter). I will attempt to make this as strictly non-partisan and unbiased as possible. My hope is that, whoever you choose to vote for, you'll be choosing them not because of party, but because of actual relevant information.
My primary sources for this will be Project Votesmart & Ontheissues.
1. Abortion
Romney: Firmly pro-life. Claims to have had an epiphany when touring a cloning facility which led him to change his previously pro-choice stance. He has stated that "scientifically", life begins at conception (again, as a result of the same visit). Following in the same vein, he has said that it would be a "good day" were Roe v. Wade to be repealed. Stated he personally advocates abstinence, but has no desire to outlaw contraception.
Ryan: Also pro-life. Has a 0% rating by NARAL, believes life begins at conception, and has voted against federal funding for both abortions and stem cell research.
Obama: Pro-Choice. He has stated that he is "undecided" on whether life begins at conception or not. Regardless, he believes that women have a legal right to safe abortions (though in 2008 he stated it was ok for States to block late-term abortions) and expanding embryonic stem cell research. 100% rating by NARAL.
Biden: Also pro-Choice. He has said he personally accepts the Catholic Church's decision that abortion is wrong, but does not translate that to his public life. However, in 2007 he stated that there should be no Federal Funding for abortions.
2. Budget, taxes, & economy
Romney: Statements from Romney generally are along the lines of "Cutting spending is the solution" to the budget. He has repeatedly insisted that he will not raise taxes on either the wealthy or the middle class, claiming he will make up gaps by cutting spending and eliminating loopholes. He was one of the few Republican candidates to propose switching America to a territorial, vs worldwide, tax code.
On the bailouts he was originally tepid on Obama's bailing out of large auto companies, but by 2011 had come out against them, and in 2012 said that bankruptcy would have led to a stronger Detroit in the long run. He has maintained throughout, however, that the TARP package was necessary to avoid economic meltdown.
From his book "No Apologies": "There's a good deal of rhetoric today from liberal politicians who say that we need to tax those corporations that "send jobs overseas." I'm afraid they don't understand that companies with subsidiaries in other countries pay taxes there. Requiring them to pay still-higher US taxes would make them less competitive in those markets, making it bad for their business overseas, and also for jobs here. Sales made by subsidiaries of US companies are often supported by high-paying jobs in finance, research & management at home. And if a company's tax burden under such legislation grew too high, it could simply move overseas to avoid it--resulting in a loss of tax revenue for the US, not a net gain."
Ryan: Known as a rabid deficit hawk, most of Ryan's statements and votes are geared towards cutting back Federal spending at the expense of programs deemed "non-essential" in order to balance the budget. However, he did vote in favor of the bailout for GM & Chrysler, and also for the $192B stimulus spending bill. He has intensely rejected the notion that the rich should pay more to make up for the deficit. In the VP debate, he said (paraphrased) "Even if the rich paid 100% of their income, it wouldn't be enough. There aren't enough rich people to do that."
Both Romney & Ryan have at various times said they would favor a plan to cap federal spending as a percentage of GDP.
Obama: Endorses a policy he himself branded "economic patriotism". Believes the rich should pay "a little more" in order to pay for the operation of the Federal government in tough times. Under his administration, responses to failing businesses in Detroit led to a Federal subsidy to keep GM & Chrysler in business. This bailout package resulted in the government briefly becoming the majority stockholder in GM.
In general, the President focuses on reducing the tax burden on the middle class. For corporations, he has a target tax rate of 25% and believes that ship jobs overseas should be taxed for doing so. He favors continuing or deepening the progressive tax system the Federal government currently employs in which the richest pay a much higher tax burden as a percentage of their overall earnings, while the poorer citizens pay progressively less.
Biden: Similar positions to Obama in terms of a progressive tax plan. He said that TARP "stuck in his throat", but it worked, and believes the bailouts of Detroit were the right thing to do. Has repeated the ticket slogan of the rich paying a little more, but if we reach into the Way-Back machine for a moment, in 1997 he voted "yes" to support a Constitutional amendment mandating a balanced budget.
3: Civil Rights (Namely, gay marriage & affirmative action)
Romney: Opposes gay "marriage", but on 9/19/2012 said that a gay couple should be able to enjoy all the same rights (such as hospital visits) as a straight couple, with the actual term "marriage" being reserved for traditional marriage.
Ryan: Also opposes gay marriage and opposed the repeal of DADT. He did however vote in favor of a bill that would outlaw discrimination in the workplace due to sexual orientation.
Rated by the NAACP at 36%, indicating a mixed stance on affirmative action, but I couldn't find anything specific in terms of statements or votes in this regard.
Obama: Has long said that homosexuality is not a choice, and in 2012 he reversed his 2007 position and came out in favor of gay marriage. He has still maintained that the decision to enact the legalization of gay marriage should be left to the States, but that no Federal law should invalidate said marriages.
From his campaign's website:
"Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer: I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.
But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.
What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens"
Voting record and interest group ratings all indicate a very pro-affirmative action stance.
Biden: He was the first on the ticket to come out officially in support of gay marriage. Essentially the same stances as Obama on these two issues.
4. Energy & Environment
Romney: On global warming, in his book "No Apologies", 2010:
"I am uncertain how much of the warming, however, is attributable to man and how much is attributable to factors out of our control. I do not support radical feel-good policies like a unilateral US cap-and-trade mandate. Such policies would have little effect on the climate but could cripple economic growth.
Oil is purported to be one of the primary contributors to rising global temperatures. If in fact global warming is importantly caused by our energy appetite, it's yet one more reason for going on an energy diet.
Scientists are nearly unanimous in laying the blame for rising temperatures on greenhouse gas emissions. Of course there are also reasons for skepticism. The earth may be getting warmer, but there have been numerous times in the earth's history when temperatures have been warmer than they are now...
As nations like China and India make available to their citizens the automobiles and appliances that we take for granted in the West, their energy demands--and their emissions--will rise dramatically. If developing nations won't curb emissions, even extreme mitigation measures taken by the US and other developed nations will have no appreciable effect on slowing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions.
These considerations lead me to this: We would pursue a no-regrets policy at home, and we should continue to engage in global efforts--not just US & European efforts--to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. By no regrets, I mean that we ought to take unilateral action on emissions when doing so is also consistent with our objective for reducing our dependence on foreign oil."
During an interview on Sep. 4, 2012 he proposed having the States approve resource management within their own borders, which he claims would cut down significantly the time required to approve permits without sacrificing environmental concerns because the States are better at it. In 2008 he endorsed giving the States the right to have their own emissions standards.
On energy, he has frequently endorsed the use of nuclear energy, believes that subsidies for green companies should be ended, and envisions an America that uses all of the resources within its borders (including oil, coal, etc). That includes drilling in ANWR if it is economical to do so.
Ryan: Voted yes to open up the continental shelf for drilling for oil & natural gas (2011), and to stop the EPA from regulating CO2 as an air pollutant. Like Romney, does not believe in the cap & trade system. Generally votes in favor of any bill that opens up areas for drilling and/or mining for resources.
Obama: Has endorsed the use of a cap & trade system to fight global warming. For example, this quote from his 2004 campaign website for Illinois senate:
"Obama will support legislation requiring that by 2020, 20% of the nation’s power supply portfolio comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy. Promoting renewable energy will create new investments and new jobs without increasing prices. Obama has proposed a flexible market-based approach that allows electricity providers to either generate the renewable energy themselves, obtain it from other companies, or purchase credits from providers who exceed the standard."
His administration has invested billions in the green energy sector in an effort to have wind, solar, and nuclear energy solutions to take on a greater share of the current American infrastructure. A centerpiece of his "all-of-the-above" answer to our energy problems is clean coal, which makes sense since coal currently provides approximately 44% of the power in America, though the first clean coal power plant has not yet come online according to FactCheck.org.
Voting record includes ending subsidies for oil explorations (2007), disallowing drilling in ANWR (2007), and sponsoring a bill to increase CAFE standards (AKA emissions standards) by 4% each year until 2018 (2006). In 2007 he voted yes to a bill that would make global warming a consideration for federal project planning.
Biden: Generally in step with Obama throughout his long history in government. He also sponsored the same 2006 CAFE standards bill, voted yes to address CO2 standards in America without considering emissions in India & China, supports cap & trade, etc.
5. Military & Foreign Policy
Romney: It's very difficult to assess any sort of "voting record" on foreign policy for Romney, since Governors do not directly play a hand in foreign policy by definition. His speeches have centered around ensuring America's power does not decline abroad. At the Republican National Convention, he stated he wanted a military "so strong, no nation would dare test it." Towards that end, he has proposed maintaining or increasing defense spending. He opposes a timetable to leave Afghanistan, saying that this is essentially giving our enemies a "wait until" date for our defeat, believing instead that decision ought to be up to our generals.
Ryan: Voted in favor of military intervention in Iraq, opposes timetables for withdrawal from Afghanistan, and has voted in favor of increasing defense spending on multiple occasions.
Obama: Oversaw the withdrawal of troops from Iraq that was began under the Bush administration, having opposed that war since 2004. He has also set a 2014 deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, then located in Pakistan, was killed under his Administration and with his approval.
From his campaign's 2008 website:
"Barack Obama believes that strengthening weak states at risk of collapse, economic meltdown or public health crises strengthens America’s security. Obama will double U.S. spending on foreign aid to $50 billion a year by 2012."
A good quote that seems to sum up his approach to the rest of the world (2008 Black Caucus):
"As commander-in-chief, all of us would have a responsibility to keep the American people safe. That’s our first responsibility. I would not hesitate to strike against anybody who would do Americans or American interests’ harm. What I do believe is that we have to describe a new foreign policy that says, for example, I will meet not just with our friends, but with our enemies, because I remember what Kennedy said, that we should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate. Having that kind of posture is the way we effectively debate the Republicans on this issue. Because if we just play into the same fear-mongering that they have been engaged in since 9/11, then we are playing on their battlefield, but, more importantly, we are not doing what’s right in order to rebuild our alliances, repair our relationships around the world, and actually make us more safe in the long term."
Biden: Voted yes to enlarging NATO to include other Eastern European countries in 2002. He voted in favor of the war in Iraq, but has since said he regrets that vote due to his perception of Bush's abuse of the powers it gave him.
A quote on the role of America abroad:
"[I would] make two fundamental changes in this [Bush's] administration’s policy. We have to jettison this notion of preemption as a doctrine, and we have to jettison the notion of regime change. Replace it with prevention; open our ears and talk, before things become crises.
And, two, we have to move in the direction of making sure that we deal with the one thing that no one’s talking about, and that is conduct change, not regime change. Think of the folly of what this administration has acted on. It has said, “By the way, give up your weapons, the very thing that’s [stopping] us from attacking you. And once you give them up, then we’re going to take you out.” That’s the logic of this administration. That’s why we’ve lost respect all over the world. My goal would be to reestablish America’s place in the world."
6. Gun Control
Romney: Supports the assault weapon ban & a law that made it more difficult to purchase a handgun by instituting a 5 day wait period, and proudly claimed that these positions "would not make him a hero with the NRA". He has since said in 2007 & again recently in the 2012 debates that he would not support any additional gun control legislation, believing that what we have on the books is sufficient if it were to be enforced.
Ryan: Voted in favor of a bill to protect gun manufacturers from lawsuits over the use of the weapons they produced. He also voted in favor of a bill that (in DC, where the Federal government is the only government) that repealed registration requirements for guns in DC, as well as repealing a restriction on semi-automatic weapons.
Obama: Like Romney, supports bans on assault weapons. He has maintained support for the 2nd amendment, but believes that localities have the right to ban guns if they wish (Politico interview, 2008, on his position in favor of the DC handgun ban).
Biden: Voted no on protecting gun manufacturers from lawsuits, yes on background checks at gun shows, and also supports an assault weapon ban.
7. Healthcare
I think it is fairly self evident that Obama is pro-Obamacare, and Romney would be naturally against it. I won't go into the details of Obamacare in this format, but here's some highlights:
- No rejection based on preexisting conditions. This will likely result in higher costs for most, due to the fact that those preexisting conditions mean certainly high medical costs. That burden would be shifted onto the rest of the population.
- Individual mandate to purchase insurance. Anyone who does not purchase insurance is penalized with a tax. Note the Supreme Court held up this clause, not because of regulating commerce, but as a tax. This sets the precedent that Congress could conceivably "tax" consumers into buying products they determine to be in the public good.
- State run exchanges to facilitate the purchase of insurance.
- Plus about 1000 pages of other stuff.
Romney has vowed to repeal Obamacare, though that is obviously outside his power to do so were he to be elected. The repeal of a law requires a 2/3 vote of both the House & Senate, which is unlikely. That being said, bills to defund Obamacare are possible. Those bills would naturally be veto'd were Obama to be elected. Thus, while Romney may not be able to repeal Obamacare, it is much more likely that less of Obamacare will be implemented if he is elected vs Obama. Bottom line: If you're anti-Obamacare, you're pro-Romney, and vice versa.
These are far from the only issues, and far from all the information available. I encourage you to do your own fact checking and investigating, because the only way we will improve our government is through informed voting.
