edit- Troy, I hope he doesn't keep his promises on energy. The US has a HUGE coal reserve. He wants to drive it into the ground. With the War, I hope its not a quick pull out because that will cause WWIII with Iran invading Iraq. They have a plan developed to get us out by 2011, and we need to help push that plan forward, and move dates up. I don't like his health care because I personally think it will make the system a monopoly, I think that he needs to be less lenient with Illegal immigrants, times have changed, and if he is allowed to change his views from what they would have been in the 1930's then we can change our views on immigrants without being called hypocrites. He does need to do something about this money deficit, without making taxes unfair. If he is really for the middle class he would abolish the IRS and make the tax system 100x easier- a bracket at 50K and then at each interval of 100K after that. A deductible for all your dependents, and with a $xxxx charitable donation you don't have to pay taxes. I think that a HUGE chunk needs to be taken out of the budget for military, and be put towards education, but then again we can lead a horse to water, but we can't make it drink. I've seen some intercity schools where a kid that liked to be 16 was going to elementary school. And you need to earn the wealth- not share it.
As far as energy goes, I'll support anything that doesn't involve us sending money to other countries. Whether that be coal, oil, nuclear, wind, solar, or anything else, I say "all of the above". It's better than the poor excuse for energy policy we've had for the past few decades.
The war needs to be ended by 2011 at the latest, but we can't withdraw too soon. We've got to make sure everyone is on the same page when we withdraw. If we get out too soon, we'll probably be back again which would be very bad.
I don't want nationalized health care, but it should be made more available and affordable to everyone. I don't' think a monopoly is the answer to our healthcare problems. Part of the reason I don't think a nationalized system would work is because the insurance companies and drug companies have such strong lobbies, and besides what would happen to the people who have health insurance now? would they be forced to go with a govt. plan? I say leave the people's healthcare how it is, but for those who can't afford it or aren't able to get it, I support doing something for them.
The deficit is probably the biggest issue he'll have to deal with. I don't think huge tax hikes are the answer, but I also don't think huge tax cuts are the answer either. Raising taxes in a recession would be a disaster, and cutting them would potentially lead to reduced revenue. I've always supported a simpler tax code. Taxes are too complicated and should be simpler. Getting rid of the IRS is a good idea, but I just can't see a democratic congress going through with it. I think the best way to start reducing the deficit, is to cut spending.
Education really needs a change in this country. We've got to do something to fix the system and create a country of students that will be competitive in the workplace in the future.
And as for redistributing wealth, wealth is earned not given. People work hard for their money, and should not be punished for falling in a higher income bracket.
