Discussions

Now that all of the big speeches or over, I hope that our American neighbors start looking at the issues that define the two main parties in the USA. I am especially interested in what is going on south of the border because of the history making nature of this years vote. There's an african american running for president along with an experienced long-time senator on the Democrats side, and a War Hero maverick running for president along with a hard line female governor running on the Republican side.  
Unfortunately, there wasn't much substance talked about in any of the speeches (especially the Republican speeches in my opinion). Right now most people seem concerned with style and the candidates personal family values rather than issues. These are a few of the main differences I could find about the two parties:  
 
IRAQ  
MCCAIN:Voted in 2002 for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008  
OBAMA: Opposed use of military force in Iraq. Has proposed schedule would remove troops from Iraq within 16 months and be complete by summer 2010.  
 
FREE TRADE  
MCCAIN: has called himself "the biggest free marketer and free trader that you will ever see."  
OBAMA:Would immediately call the leaders of Mexico and Canada to try to amend NAFTA. Would eliminate tax breaks for companies that are moving overseas.  
 
GUNS  
MCCAIN: Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and voted against such a ban.  
OBAMA: Calls for permanently reinstating assault weapons ban  
 
GAY MARRIAGE  
MCCAIN: Believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman.  
OBAMA: Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Wants to give give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as married couples  
 
US HOMELAND SECURITY  
MCCAIN: Would set up a new civil-military agency patterned after the Office of Strategic Services in World War II.  
OBAMA: Will implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations.  
 
ABORTION  
MCCAIN: Voted "yes" for Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions amendment in 2007. Believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision and should be overturned  
OBAMA: Opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v Wade  
 
HEALTH CARE  
MCCAIN: Opposes federally mandated universal coverage. Believes competition will improve the quality of health insurance.  
OBAMA : Would create a national health insurance program for individuals who do not have employer-provided health care and who do not qualify for other existing federal programs. Does not mandate individual coverage for all Americans, but requires coverage for all children.  
 
ECONOMIC STIMULUS  
MCCAIN: Would lower the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent.  
OBAMA: Would pump $75 billion into the economy via tax cuts and direct spending targeted to working families, seniors, homeowners and the unemployed  
 
With the Canadian election set to be officially started this Sunday, I am hoping that the parties here will not follow the lead of the US election, but instead talk issues rather than try to promote which leader is a better person. No matter how wonderful or terrible a persons family life is, to me what matters is their core beliefs and what they want to do for the country. There has already been advertisments on television trying to paint Harper as a down to earth family man. That's all fine and dandy, but in Canada we are supposed to be voting for which candidate we support at the local level, we do not directly elect our prime minister. My fingers are crossed for a "meat and potatoes" style campaign in this country this year!