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Abortion, Election 2000 Election 2000 Abortion, gun control, and social security reform are issues that everyone has an opinion on. Including politicians. Despite the pressures to be en vogue and stay in the public favor, these issues require Ralph Nader, Al Gore and George Bush to take a stand. Abortion takes into account moral, as well as social concerns. And, the question of governments power in influencing or dictating policies that affect those concerns. Social security, is a serious aspect of a growing number of elderly persons, as well as young professionals daily realities, and their election decisions.
Ask any working American, the monies being siphoned out of their weekly paychecks with the promise that itll be there for them when they are eligible, and they will tell you how serious they think it is. This topic also gives us the opportunity to see how well versed in economics the candidates are, or are not. Gun control is an issue on which everyone has an opinion. In this day in age where violence is not so far away from most communities, the question of whether people should have the right to bear arms is debated intensely. What our founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the constitution is a topic which puts our freedoms against public benefit.
Abortion is an issue that is becoming a litmus test for office seekers these days with many women voters. To openly take a hard stance against abortion is to end a political career. As a congressman for Tennessee, Al Gore cast more votes against abortion and related policies. As he became a national figure he changed his position, and now claims he will do everything in his power to make sure Roe v. Wade does not get overturned. Now an advocate of a womans right to chose, he also opposes parental- notification laws and supports Medicaid funding of abortion!
As the election near more people are reminded of the fact that two of the Supreme Court justices are retiring. Meaning new appointments could imbalance the court in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade. Al Gore has said he believes in a potential justices right to privacy, but that there are ways of assessing how they would interpret the constitution.
And he feels that his appointments would uphold the landmark case. Governor Bush also would not hold appointees to a litmus test, but would make judicial appointment that are strict constructionists in their interpretation of the constitution. Governor Bush opposes partial- birth abortions, as does Al Gore. However George W.
is in favor of parental-notification, with fines for failure to notify parent / guardian at least 48 hrs. prior to abortion. Also to ban tax money spent on abortions, with exceptions for sexual abuse or physicians advisement. Bush is supportive of pro-life amendments but says he wouldnt pursue them. Ralph Nader, the Green party candidate, has probably done the best at down playing this topic. He is pro-choice, but doesnt acknowledge that there is a threat to Roe v.
Wade, saying itll never be overturned. And like Al Gore supports the Fda's decision to allow RU- 486 (abortion pill), sighting its benefit that its preferable to surgical procedure. If the NRA could pick a candidate it would be Governor Bush. Although none of the hopefuls are in favor of more restrictions on handguns, he is the most consistent. Gore as a congressman was not opposed to them, but as Vice President changed tack completely. He is now in favor of cracking down on gun shows, banning junk guns ( cheap guns used in many violent crimes), limiting one gun to one person per month, and requiring manufacturers and retailers to report gun sales to state authority.
The latter raising loud voices of right to privacy concerns. Other than that all sides are in agreement to ban assault weapons, large ammunition clips, and certain types of ammunition, such as armor piercing, high velocity, and cop killers. Ralph Nader has been advocating tougher laws against gun wielding criminals, stating in accord with Bush that the problem isnt with the law-abiding citizens that purchase guns. So we shouldnt make it harder for them. The point where Bush and Nader differ with Gore is precisely that.
Gore would make mandatory registration with the government of all guns, and heavy state and federal government overseeing of gun sales. Bush and Nader do not to encroach on the rights of citizens with respect to bearing arms. Instead they are more in favor very strict sentences, because only criminals should be affected by legislation not sportsman and people wishing to use guns for self defense. Social security, without a doubt, the most successful, and, the noblest government programs.
To ensure dignity and financial security of our aged, and disabled citizens is a responsibility that has been our good fortune to actualize. However with a growing geriatric population, benefits for poor families and disabled persons, it is time for reform of our system before it goes bankrupt. Ralph Nader is the only one saying that the fears are unfounded, of not being able to meet the needs of the eligible. He agrees with Bush that working people should have a reasonable measure of control over their retirement assets. However he limits it to pension funds and retirements accounts and not to the fraction of social security money that Bush would advance to privatize. Bush's idea has raised a many an objection to the idea of allowing individuals to invest part (1 / 6) of their contributions in the private sector, namely the stocks market.
Gore and Nader are very vocal in opposing Bush's plan, stating that it would replace security with insecurity. There is to much uncertainty in the market to allow the populace to put money that the government would eventually be forced to compensate. After all, if millions of people are skinned in a market crash, it would be the government that would have to provide social assistance in the form of food stamps, welfare and the like. Gores main point hat republicans are vehemently opposed to is financing social security through general taxation.
Gore reasoning is that then the government could pay down the debt with the surpluses, and with the savings from the interest payments, reinvest in the social security program. Gores response to Bush's plan to allow individuals more control over their future financial well being comes in the form of individual retirement savings plus accounts, in which tax exempt savings would be matched by government. Unlike what Gores camp would want one to think, Bush's plan wouldnt affect retirees, or those close to retirement, no reduction in benefits for retirees. Bush also takes a very conservative view in regard to raising taxes for social security support; he is absolutely against it. He is for dedicating social security money for social security, and leaving the paying of interest payment on our national debt a separate issue.
These issues are a good measure of the candidates views about our concerns as a society. Between appealing to popular opinion and standing for something, candidates stances on issues are formed, and the people are left to sort through the images to make a decision. Who do we want to entrust with the awesome responsibility of leading our nation. Though we are fortunate to be a generally well educated society, the complexities of our government have become difficult to understand. Politicians rely on this to gain favor with the public.
We as the power behind government must be better informed, so we are not taken advantage of by our own elected officials. Whether Nader, Gore, Bush, or any other candidate is elected, the benefits or the repercussions will be felt by the American people. The three issues discussed are representative of the moral, societal, and economical problems in our country, and are only three of many issues being hotly debated. Ralph Nader's proposals are far and away the most intelligent and ambitious for the United States. Al Gore and George Bush are coming from opposite sides of the political spectrum, but offer us business as usual. They are funded by and fight for the interest of the same elite (of which they are also members! ) class.
Ralph Nader has shown in the past with his exemplary record, that he fights for the people. Though some of his stances are arguably too liberal, he is the prescription for corruption, Deep-pocketed corporate lobbyists, and many of the ills associated with government. Serious injustices in our system with regard to access to political influence, which are at the heart of most social problems, will not be altered with the two party system. Noone is na? ve enough to suggest perfection however with someone whos genuine concerns are the people of this country, and the oppressed globally, government might actualize the myth of equality. 321
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