Half of the excitement of an election is the journey, so use the next 8 months to really engage with current events. Strike up a conversation in the cafeteria and the classroom when appropriate; impress your professors by relating course materials to the election at hand. Whether you are arguing for or against Ron Paul’s tax plan or Barack Obama’s healthcare legislation, knowledge is power.
To help you keep track of the issues that most concern Collegiettes, we’ve put together this “On The Issues” series, examining the top Republican candidates one at a time. This is a great starting point for the facts, but don’t just take our word for it. Interact with multiple media outlets, watch the debates, read Tweets…. And last but certainly not least, don’t forget to vote!
The Candidates On The Issue:
Newt Gingrich
Jon Huntsman
Mitt Romney
Rick Santorum
Ron Paul
Rick Perry
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In a field of rising stars, Gingrich’s extensive history in politics can’t help but come to bear on his candidacy.
Newt Gingrich loves to compare himself to Ronald Reagan, and aligns himself with the former president’s economic policies. One such policy is an optional flat tax of 15%. By opting for the flat tax, Americans could file their taxes on a postcard.
Meanwhile, Gingrich would lower the corporate income tax to 12.5%. He would spur American business by lowering the capital gains tax and allowing companies to make new equipment purchases tax-deductible.
Economy/National Debt
Like other Republican candidates, Gingrich believes that the Federal Reserve needs to be reformed; specifically, that its practices should be less secretive. In September, he said that the government should focus on creating more opportunities for employment rather than raising taxes as a solution to lack of funding.
Foreign Affairs
Newt Gingrich would be tougher on North Korea and Iran than previous administrations. Both countries have secret nuclear weapon programs that could potentially threaten our national security, although with the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il, the world is waiting to see whether North Korea will change course politically.
Gingrich has been heavily criticized for his arguments against women serving in the military. “Females have biological problems staying in a ditch for 30 days because they get infections, and they don’t have upper body strength.”
Health
If elected, Newt Gingrich will replace Obama’s healthcare legislation by allowing Americans to make their health insurance tax-deductible up to a certain amount. He would also increase competition in the health insurance industry by allowing people to purchase health insurance from another state, which will lower the cost of health insurance.
States would receive block grants to help low-income patients cover the cost of their healthcare. However, Gingrich would cease funding Title X, a program which provides low-income women with family planning services and contraception. He recognizes an embryo as a legal “person” and supported a Federal Abortion Ban.
Education
Like other Republican candidates Newt Gingrich is in favor of school choice He believes that parents should be able to choose the best possible school for their kids, whether public, private, or charter, and agreed with the inclusion of charter schools in Obama’s Race to the Top education plan.
He has said the government should offer incentives for students to study math and science, but he would also “dramatically shrink the federal Department of Education, get rid of virtually all of its regulations.”
Environmental Issues
Gingrich believes that the EPA should be overhauled such that the government works more closely with states and local governments to arrive at solutions to environmental problems. He supports offshore and inland drilling, but would also finance clean energy research.
Gingrich, no stranger to the national spotlight, has proven himself as a leader. However, whether he is the right leader for the presidency remains to be determined.
Sources:
http://www.issues2000.org/2012/Newt_Gingrich_Education.htm
http://www.newt.org/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20047821-503544.html
Photo Credits:
Huffington Post: http://i.huffpost.com/gen/252621/thumbs/r-NEWT-GINGRICH-2012-ANNOUNCEMENT-large570.jpg
ABC News: http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/ap_newt_gingrich_jef_110614_wg.jpg
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In the words of the Globe, “With a strong record as governor of Utah and US ambassador to China, arguably the most important overseas diplomatic post, Huntsman’s credentials match those of anyone in the field,” the Globe’s editorial said. “He would be the best candidate to seize this moment in GOP history, and the best-prepared to be president.”
Although Jon Huntsman is one of two Mormon candidates for president, don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s just a less popular version of Mitt Romney. Here’s a look at where Huntsman stands on key issues.
Taxes
Like most Republicans, Huntsman views tax cuts as a way to make businesses flourish. As governor of Utah, Huntsman is remembered as having a pro-business agenda. In 2007 he cut the sales tax on food in half, and brought Utah’s taxes to below the national average. A benefit of this ideology is that the success of small business owners—and even large corporations—can improve the quality of life for the middle class.
However, as we have seen in the recession, not all laws that favor business necessarily help the middle class — sometimes they flat out hurt it.
Economy/National Debt
Many Republicans opposed the debt ceiling increase this August, and the threat of government default was used to urge Obama’s administration of cut spending. However, like Santorum, Huntsman was in a minority of Republicans that supported the debt ceiling increase. Huntsman viewed the threat of default as a self-destructive tactic, preferring other methods of getting the budget cuts Republicans want.
To Huntsman, foreign policy and the economy are closely related. He calls a strong economy our “core” which allows America to “project the goodness of this country in terms of liberty, democracy, open markets, and human rights.”
Huntsman is fluent in Mandarin, and he has criticized policies that say the US should let fear of China’s rising power influence our trade decisions. Huntsman recognizes that many young adults are pressuring China to be more democratic via the internet, saying, “We should be reaching out to our allies and constituencies within China. They’re called the young people. They’re called the internet generation.”
This would imply that Huntsman respects the power of young tech-savvy Americans as well!
Health
Huntsman’s health and social views are considerably less conservative than those of his running mates, but they are certainly not liberal. In 2007, Huntsman was a supporter of a mandate for individual healthcare, but he now opposes President Obama’s legislation, which sought to do just that. Although as governor he showed some support for family planning, sex education, and emergency contraceptives, he is still considered pro-life.
Huntsman says he believes in “traditional” marriage, but a leader of the Log Cabin Republicans — Republicans that advocate for equal rights — wrote a letter to the Republican LGBTQ community in support of Huntsman. The letter points out that Huntsman’s support for civil unions makes him the most LGTBQ-friendly candidate in the field.
Education
A critic of Bush’s “No Child Left Behind,” Jon Huntsman joins other candidates in support of school vouchers. He believes that the competition of school choice creates a healthy education system, and spurs achievement.
Based on your memories of high school, this could seem like an incentive for schools to hire great teachers—or a recipe for disaster that puts too much pressure on educators.
Environmental Issues
Like other Republican candidates, Huntsman has criticized the power of the Environmental Protection Agency, calling it a “regulatory reign of terror” that “prevents building in USA.” That said, he is a supporter of exploring alternative energy and decreasing greenhouse gas pollution.
Personal Life
Huntsman has a large family of seven children, two of whom are adopted. His older daughters have earned the affection of the media for their spoof videos and entertaining Twitter feed
@Jon2012girls. Libby, Abby, and Mary Anne have over 20,000 followers… They think that their dad is a pretty great guy, do you?
Sources:
https://twitter.com/#!/Jon2012girls
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-rt-us-usa-campaign-hunts…
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57403.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/06/jon-huntsman-criticises-adop…
http://www.issues2000.org/2012/Jon_Huntsman_Foreign_Policy.htm
http://www.issues2000.org/Jon_Huntsman.htm
http://jon2012.com/
Photo Credits:
ABC News: http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/ap_jon_huntsman_ll_110819_wg.jpg
Business Insider: http://static7.businessinsider.com/image/4ee0f709ecad04b54800001e-400-/jon-huntsman-face.jpg
The Daily Beast
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Romney’s Mormonism seems to be the individual characteristic that the media has zeroed in on, and some have questioned whether the public’s misconceptions of his faith will hurt his bid for the Republican nomination. However, Romney’s superficial qualities and personal faith do not speak as much to his ability to lead as do his stances on real issues.
Taxes
Mitt Romney has suggested that the federal government release a balance sheet of the budget so that the public can monitor whether their politicians are truly committed to reducing deficit spending. Many Republican candidates cite Reagan as the inspiration for their economic policies, and as far back as 2008, Romney was calling for politicians to apply Reagan’s tactics (cutting taxes, prompting growth) to the recession. Earlier this year, he claimed that bailouts of large corporations were a waste of money and the federal government should have let the companies go bankrupt.
Economy/ National Debt
Romney frequently cites his credentials as a strong leader on economic issues. While governor of Massachusetts, he claims to have eliminated a $3 billion deficit. According to FactCheck.org, it was a $1.2 billion dollar deficit. Regardless, the state was left with a significant amount of “rainy day” funding when he left office.
Romney is also credited with salvaging the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 1999. Romney was able to use the financial skills he acquired while founder and CEO of investment firm Bain Capital to restore public faith in the franchise.
Foreign Affairs
General consensus among the political circle is that Mitt Romney has become increasingly right wing. He won the governorship of Massachusetts, a traditionally liberal state, by appealing to moderates; however, has since appealed to a more conservative constituency. A shift in ideology combined with the unfolding world events have yielded a less-compromising Romney, at least as far as foreign affairs are concerned. In 2007, he spoke of making friends in the Muslim world and spreading democracy without sending troops.
However, with the Palestinian lobby of the UN for a separate state, Romney has criticized Obama for being too weak in the Middle East saying, “there can be no differences between the United States and its ally Israel in its posture in the Middle East.”
Health
Romney plans to repeal Obama’s healthcare plan and instead provide states with block grants for low-income and uninsured residents. Romney would also increase tax deduction for those who purchase their own insurance. Although employers would not be required to purchase health insurance, employed individuals who aren’t covered would have low-cost options. Romney has also said that the ability to purchase insurance across state lines would create competition, driving down prices. Romney’s plan also includes opening up Health Savings Accounts to more people and allowing individuals and small businesses to pool together to purchase health insurance.
It’s important to note, however, that Romney implemented universal healthcare in MA while he was governor, and his competitors have gone so far as to say “Obamacare” was patterned after “Romneycare.” Romney’s defense is that what worked for MA at a certain point in time does not necessarily work for the entire country in this period.
Romney has said he would support the reversal of Roe v. Wadeas president, as he believes abortion should only be legal in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the mother’s life. Romney was pro-choice at the beginning of his governorship in 2003, and his switch to pro-life is a mark of his ongoing ideological shift to the right.
Education
Having once referred to teachers’ union leaders as “fat-cat CEOs,” Romney supports school choice, meaning that parents can choose from a mix of public, charter, and private schools for their children. At the end of his term he was quoted as saying “Bush was right on No Child Left Behind.”
Environmental Issues
Romney is not a skeptic of global warming. He supports research into alternative energy in addition to drilling. However, he still stands right of those who favor a gas tax and strict emission standards, believing that states – not the Federal government – should set their own emission levels.
Bottom Line
Mitt Romney was an early frontrunner in the presidential race. However, he has had to straddle the line between his moderate past and the strong conservative voices that currently dominate the Republican party. His success in the race will depend upon his ability to appeal to so-called Tea Partiers without alienating America’s Independent voters.
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/romney-us-foreign-policy-must-align-with-ally-israel-without-exception/2011/09/22/gIQA4qWCpK_story.html
www.mittromney.com
http://www.issues2000.org/Mitt_Romney.htm
Photo Credits:
http://www.salon.com
www.mittromney.com
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Santorum is a candidate who appeals to the socially conservative collegiette™, which is perhaps no more apparent than in his stance toward same-sex marriage.
The former Pennsylvania senator was criticized for his response to a question asked during debate. A homosexual soldier named Stephen Hill called in to the debate via video, asking Santorum whether he would reinstate Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The soldier, who was calling from Iraq, was promptly booed by members of the audience. Many hoped that Santorum would admonish those members of the audience before answering his question, but he failed to acknowledge the negative reaction—later claiming he had not heard the booing. In 2004, Santorum led the debate in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment.
It has yet to be seen whether Santorum’s recent surge in the polls, correlating with his hairbreadth’s second place finish behind Romney in the Iowa caucus, is going to last.
Rick Santorum favors the controversial tax cuts made under President Bush. He believes that the economy benefits when businesses (and individuals) pay less in taxes.
Still, Santorum did not agree with either President Bush’s or President Obama’s stimulus programs. His ongoing support for the Balanced Budget Amendment is a sign that he does not favor what he refers to as “unnecessary” government spending, as in the Wall Street bailouts or ongoing entitlement programs. In 1996, while in the Senate, Santorum helped author the Welfare Reform Law, which is credited with successfully transitioning many Americans off of welfare.
If you favor lower taxes and less government spending, your views may coincide with Santorum’s.
Economy/National Debt
Like other GOP candidates Rick Santorum is in favor of auditing the Federal Reserve. Unlike other candidates, however, Santorum did not oppose the debt ceiling increase in August. If you were frustrated by this summer’s political gridlock (or laughing at John Stewart’s take on things) you’re not alone. Rick Santorum is quoted as saying, “Stopping the debt ceiling increase is showmanship, not leadership.”
Foreign Affairs
Rick Santorum believes that the U.S. should be more proactive in Pakistan, where a positive relationship with the powers that be could end its reputation as an Al Qaeda stronghold. In addition, Santorum is worried about nuclear weapons getting in the wrong hands through Pakistan.
Also noted for his unapologetic stance on Iran, Santorum has no qualms about America’s past interventions in Iranian affairs. Santorum’s somewhat hostile approach to Iran is especially noteworthy now, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran will likely mount. This is due to the investigation of a recently foiled terror plot, linked to elements of Iran’s government.
Health
Like other Republican candidates, Rick Santorum believes that medical liability lawsuits have gotten out of control. He would cap them at $250,000.
While in the Senate he often voted against expansions of entitlement programs (Medicaid, Medicare) by voting not to extend enrollment periods or expand included rebates. Santorum also signed the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life Leadership Pledge, and believes that abortion should be banned in all circumstances — including rape and incest. He has a voting record against pregnancy prevention programs for teens, including contraception education in schools. He’s also voted for “family cap” legislation—financially penalizing low-income women for having children—and an “illegitimacy cap” that punishes states for children born out of wedlock.
He’s not going to come on campus and take your condoms, but if you got anything out of sex ed class in high school you may want to consider where we’d be without it.
Education
As president, Santorum would likely impose his conservative values on the public education system. In addition to his strong support for abstinence only education, he voted “yes” on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. Although he voted against shifting money from corporate tax loopholes to education, and spending a large tax cut on education and debt reduction, Santorum has supported Educational Savings Accounts and school vouchers. If you believe that one’s education should be in her own hands—with minimal government intervention—your philosophy is compatible with that of Santorum.
Environmental Issues
Santorum’s voting record shows that he favors drilling for oil, including in Alaska. The use of America’s own oil resources has the potential to reduce gas prices, obviously favorable to many Collegiettes. However, drilling can have disastrous consequences on the environment.
As far as candidates go, Rick Santorum is pretty conservative. Many collegiettes™ will appreciate his conservative values, while some liberal voters might be put off by his views on homosexuality and women’s health. Regardless, his views are worth consideration.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Santorum
http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Rick_Santorum_Foreign_Policy.htm
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/23/dont-ask/
Photo Credits:
Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-01/277538640-04072529.jpg
ABC New: http://abcnews.go.com/images/GMA/gty_rick_santorum_jef_110601_wblog.jpg
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Ron Paul is no stranger to the campaign trail. This is his third time running for president. Throughout his long career in public service, this congressman from Texas has stuck to his views, and Paul’s biggest priority is adhering to the Constitution.
Ron Paul believes that America has moved too far from what the Founding Fathers intended. He is well known for his radical views on money, many of which are expressed in his book about abolishing the Federal Reserve, The Revolution: A Manifesto. Ron Paul sits on the House Financial Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, but – collegiettes™ take note- – he also has a background in obstetrics and gynecology!
One element of Paul’s tax plan is targeted towards college students. He has said he would eliminate taxes on tips. That means you can keep all of your income from scooping ice cream!
Paul is against taxes in general, seeking to eliminate the income, capital gains, Social Security, and “death” taxes (taxes on a deceased person’s estate). He believes that families paying for college, alternative energy cars, or special healthcare should be helped out by a tax deduction.
Economy/National Debt
Paul opposed the debt ceiling increase in August and believes that politicians should spend less money. Perhaps the most radical and well-known of Paul’s policies is his desire to abolish the Federal Reserve.
The Federal Reserve is our country’s central banking system. The Federal Reserve acts as a bank for your bank, and for the government itself. It seeks to keep employment and production levels high by regulating prices and interest rates.
Paul feels like the Fed has too much power for such a mysterious agency, because nobody really reviews their work to make sure that they are making the right decisions.
Foreign Affairs
Paul is pretty harsh on previous administrations when it comes to foreign policy. He thinks that a lot of the problems America faces in the world, particularly the Middle East, are our fault.
Last April, Paul said, “One thing is for certain. The intelligence agencies may not improve, but the American people will not only lose more of their money through higher taxes but personal liberties will also be attacked… They believe that with greater and more pervasive spying we can compensate for a policy that will inevitably generate more people around the world who will want to harm us. Treating the symptoms will not cure the disease.”
In other words, Americans can’t spread democracy by being undemocratic, according to Paul.
Health
Paul believes that Obama’s healthcare legislation is unconstitutional, because it tells people what kind of health insurance they have to have. By allowing people to purchase health insurance from another state, they would be able to shop around for lower prices.
Paul would give tax breaks to families struggling with terminal illness, and would also allow all Americans to open a Health Savings Account. HSA’s go along with low insurance coverage, so there is some concern that healthy people will open HSA’s and sick people will stay on their insurance. This would be detrimental to insurance companies because they profit from healthy people who pay for insurance but don’t ever need help.
Paul thinks that the government has too much power. Paul has said that taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund programs that track Americans’ private medical history because that would be an invasion of privacy.
Paul has strong words about abortion, calling it murder. He has signed the Susan B. Anthony 2012 Pro-Life Leadership Pledge and opposes insurance coverage of birth control. If you don’t want to pay for The Pill out of pocket, Paul’s probably not the candidate for you.
Education
Homeschoolers rejoice! Ron Paul is a huge supporter of homeschooling. As president, he would provide parents with $5,000 per child to buy books, tutors, and computers for their educational needs.
Environmental Issues
Although he is a supporter of alternative energy, Paul would remove restrictions on oil drilling and repeal the federal gas tax, making gas cheaper and more accessible. He’d also eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency, leaving it up to individuals to prosecute polluters rather than the federal government.
Fans of Julia Roberts’ portrayal of Erin Brockovich (and face it, who isn’t) might be skeptical of Paul’s policy on the EPA. Although the government could save money by eliminating the agency, not every community has the resources to stand up to a large factory dumping waste in its river.
Like Ron Paul, you may love the American Constitution… but do you agree with his interpretations of it? Weigh in below!
Sources:
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/
http://www.issues2000.org/Ron_Paul.htm
http://money.howstuffworks.com/fed4.htm
Photo Credits:
CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/i/tim//2010/07/07/ron_paul_370x278.jpg
Salon.com: http://media.salon.com/2012/01/Ron-Paul2-460×307.jpg
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Rick Perry’s declaration of candidacy in mid-August was a game-changer for the Republican field. Suddenly, all eyes turned to the former Texas governor whom some have painted as a “shoot first, ask questions later” cowboy of a leader.
Is the characterization fair? It’s certainly entertaining – and if you understand where he stands on key issues, you can be the judge.
As governor of Texas, Rick Perry used the power of the line-item veto to strike through elements of bills that he believed to be unjustified spending. By cutting more than $3 billion in proposed spending (while still decreasing small business and property taxes), Perry became the first Texas governor in seven decades to reduce general revenue spending.
Economy/National Debt
Perry’s practice as governor of balancing budgets by decreasing spending rather than raising taxes carries over into his campaign promises. His preference for cuts vs. taxes has been highlighted in light of the ongoing threat of government shut-down and debt ceiling debates. While having a balanced budget on his record is certainly admirable, it’s good to know which programs Perry would cut as president and whether they are meaningful to you.
Foreign Affairs
Rick Perry has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to America’s allies, namely Israel. He argues that the Obama Administration has missed opportunities to undermine Israel’s enemy, Iran. On Iran’s green revolution in 2009 (an organic move toward democracy squashed by Ahmadinejad’s regime) Perry is quoted as saying, “We should have been using everything that we had available – our diplomatic abilities, our economic sanctions, overt, covert and civic – to impact and help overthrow one of the most oppressive regimes that there is in the world, and we failed.”
Perry also blames the Obama Administration for Palestine’s request for statehood earlier this fall. He believes that had the U.S. been less equivocal in their policy toward Palestine, the PLO would not have been allowed to lobby the UN.
Even more recently, Perry controversially displayed a willingness to deploy troops to Mexico, “It may require our military in Mexico working in concert with them to kill these drug cartels and keep them off our border… I think it is very important for us to work with them to keep that country from failing.”
Health
Perry was one of the Republican candidates to sign the Susan B. Anthony 2012 Pro-Life Leadership Pledge. The pledge essentially states that he will not elect judges to the Supreme Court that are pro-choice, nor will he appoint anyone who is pro-choice to a position in the executive branch.
Perry has said, “We can’t afford to give up the good fight until the dayRoe v. Wadeis nothing but a shameful footnote in our nation’s history books,” but his record does not show the same vehemence towards Planned Parenthood services as other candidates have shown. As governor, he expressed support for some family planning and sex education programs, as well as emergency contraception for rape victims, but his emphasis on spending cuts would likely affect these types of programs first.
Perry is opposed to government-run healthcare, and will repeal Obama’s healthcare plan if elected. He believes that job creation is the solution to America’s healthcare woes because employed Americans are covered by their employers. Additionally, if Americans are receiving a steady income, the financial strains on entitlement programs such as Medicaid are not as great.
Education
Perry is in favor of school choice, meaning that parents can choose from a mix of public, charter, and private schools for their children. He’s said that “public prayer is not establishing a religion” and therefore supports voluntary prayer in public schools. Perry also has doubts about the legitimacy of evolutionary theory.
It’s unclear how his support for school choice would play out as president, as Perry has said that it’s an issue to be handled on a local rather than federal level. In terms of curriculum, Perry’s stances are a direct reflection of his conservative values which would certainly play a role in his presidency.
Environmental Issues
Perry is skeptical about global warming, especially the theory that it is manmade. He did, however, offer a $5,000 incentive for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles while governor—signifying he’s willing to explore alternative energy sources as president.
Bottom Line
Perry holds more sway with the Tea Party segment of the Republican party –more so than competitor Romney. However, as an early frontrunner, Perry has had the most to lose and his every comment has been scrutinized. Some claim that after debate missteps such as this one, Perry is already slipping.
Sources:
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/01/news/la-pn-perry-israel-20111001
http://www.examiner.com/geopolitics-in-national/rick-perry-s-incoherent-cowboy-diplomacy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhimxagcJrE&feature=player_embedded
www.rickperry.org
http://www.issues2000.org/Rick_Perry.htm
Photo Credits:
Politico.com: http://images.politico.com/global/2012/01/120102_rick_perry_605_ap.jpg
Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-01/124326700-08074705.jpg