Food For Thought
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Election 2000 Issues - Part 2
 		by columnist
David Lawrence Dewey

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Presidential Election 2000 Issues
Al Gore and George W. Bush

On This Page
 | Foreign Policy | Free Trade and Immigration | Government Reform | Health Care |
| Juvenile Crime | Kosovo | Principles and Values | Social Security | Tax Reform | Technology |
| Welfare and Labor |

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Al Gore on Foreign Policy George W. Bush on Foreign Policy
  • Supported force in Mideast, Balkans, Haiti, not Somalia. (Oct 11)
  • Cuba: Hard-liner on Castro; keep sanctions. (Oct 4)
  • North Korea: Continue exploring rapprochement. (Oct 4)
  • Russia: US’s abiding interest, but troubled by Putin. (Oct 4)
  • Russia’s transition is accomplishment, if over-optimistic. (Jun 4)
  • Africa: give the poorest countries a hand up. (Apr 30)
  • Chechnya: Keep aid that helps US; cut off aid that helps war. (Jan 26)
  • Mantle of leadership means responding to violence abroad. (Oct 1999)
  • Supports New Security Agenda and Third-World debt relief. (Sep 30)

    Internationalism

  • Nation-building: preferable to WWIII, and a stunning success. (Oct 4)
  • UN treaties are effective means for US to help Third World. (Aug 20)
  • New Security Agenda: keep old; build new; avoid isolation. (Apr 30)
  • Strong defense for world leader; tie defense to other issues. (Jan 1)
  • Intervention requires national interest, by our values. (Oct 1999)
  • Pay UN dues, as leader of the world. (Oct 1999)

    Mideast

  • Don’t let OPEC take advantage of Americans. (Sep 20)
  • Israel: support full UN participation. (May 23)
  • Iraq: support Saddam’s opposition, until he’s gone. (May 23)
  • Committed to the survival & security of Israel. (Mar 3)
  • Supported continuing 1998 air strikes in Iraq. (Dec 1998)
  • Supported Bush’s 1991 bombing of Iraq. (Dec 1998)
  • Supported force in Mideast & Balkans, not Haiti & Somalia. (Oct 11)
  • Puerto Rico: Back statehood if majority votes for it. (Sep 20)
  • Keep tradition of showing opposition to Castro. (Sep 11)
  • Will keep sanctions against Cuba. (Aug 25)
  • US will be a friend to Latin American democracies. (Aug 25)
  • Patrol borders, but also invest in Latin America. (Aug 25)
  • Russia nukes: demand inventory; pay for dismantling. (Apr 2)
  • Russia funding: replace IMF loans with $ to people. (Apr 2)
  • Pressure Russia financially to ease up on Chechnya. (Apr 2)
  • More trade with India; help out in East Timor. (Apr 2)
  • Hopes Putin will stay committed to reform & democracy. (Mar 27)
  • Africa: Rally world to help AIDS, but not with US funds. (Jan 10)
  • Honor Panama Canal treaty, but keep canal open. (Jan 7)
  • Focus on Big Three: Russia, China, & India. (Dec 1999)
  • Texas governorship provides foreign policy experience. (Dec 1999)
  • Mexico: Free trade, but with more border patrols. (Oct 1998)

    Internationalism

  • Vital interests: US or allies threatened; we can win & exit. (Oct 3)
  • US troops will never be under UN command. (Oct 1)
  • Less intervention abroad and unilateral nuclear cuts at home. (Sep 30)
  • Reform UN & IMF; strengthen NATO. (Apr 2)
  • Brokering peace requires diligence and patience. (Mar 15)
  • America should speak loudly and carry a big stick. (Dec 1999)
  • America should act as the leader of the free world. (Dec 1999)
  • Foreign policy with a touch of iron & a sharpened sword. (Nov 1999)

    Mideast

  • Israel’s capital should be in Jerusalem. (Aug 28)
  • Israel: America should be a stronger friend. (May 23)
  • Pressure Saudis to keep oil prices low. (Jan 26)
Return to Index
Al Gore on Free Trade and Immigration George W. Bush on Free Trade and Immigration
  • Link trade to environment and labor. (Sep 30)
  • Fair trade: standards for child labor & environment. (Aug 18)
  • Agrees with unions on 90% of issues, but not on free trade. (Mar 11)
  • Open Europe & Japan to genetically-modified farm products. (Jan 9)
  • Use Fast Track to encourage new markets. (May 1999)
  • Free and fair trade means economic growth and jobs. (May 1999)
  • Protectionism only protects us from prosperity. (Nov 1998)

    Immigration

  • Citizenship for 1.2M cleared backlog, but sacrificed quality. (Aug 1)
  • More immigrants to alleviate labor shortage. (Mar 1)
  • Immigrants from communist Cuba are different. (Jan 17)
  • Immigration leads to diversity and cultural tolerance. (Apr 1999)

    NAFTA & WTO

  • Debate with Perot was instrumental in passing NAFTA. (Mar 3)
  • WTO talks will continue, with labor & environment input. (Dec 1999)
  • WTO requires Japan & Europe to deal with our trade issues. (Dec 1999)
  • Open markets with safeguards for labor and environment. (Dec 1999)
  • Don’t link trade to environment and labor. (Sep 30)
  • Sow free trade and farmers will reap. (Jan 7)
  • A free market promotes dreams and individuality. (Dec 1999)
  • Import fees are not the answer to foreign competition. (Dec 1999)
  • The fearful build walls; the confident demolish them. (Jun 1999)

    Immigration

  • $500M to cut INS application time to 6 months. (Jul 6)
  • Welcome Latinos; immigration is not a problem to be solved. (Jun 26)
  • Make INS more “immigrant friendly”. (Jun 26)
  • High tech: More H-1B worker visas; less export controls. (Apr 2)
  • Farm policy: Open markets abroad; more H-2A worker visas. (Apr 2)
  • Latinos enrich us; family values go past Rio Grande. (Feb 9)
  • More border guards to compassionately turn away Mexicans. (Dec 1999)
  • Guest workers, maybe; citizenship waiting period, yes. (Aug 1999)

    NAFTA & WTO

  • No trade barriers from Alaska to the tip of Cape Horn. (Apr 24)
  • Fast Track in west; WTO in east. (Apr 24)
  • Supports Fast Track; WTO; NAFTA; anti-dumping. (Apr 2)
Return to Index
Al Gore on Government Reform George W. Bush on Government Reform
  • Supreme Court should interpret Constitution. (Oct 3)
  • Decreased fed workforce by 300,000; won’t increase by 20,000. (Oct 3)
  • Use historic surplus to balance budget and help middle class. (Oct 3)
  • Puerto Rico: Back statehood if majority votes for it. (Sep 20)
  • Open meetings to stay in touch with every-day people. (Aug 18)
  • Supported “PAC participation in the political process”. (Mar 3)
  • Supreme Court nominees should interpret the Constitution. (Mar 1)
  • No controlling legal authority“ for White House calls. (Mar 1997)
  • We distrust our government; but want it in emergencies. (Sep 1995)
  • Performance-based pay for civil servants. (Jan 1999)

    Campaign Finance Reform

  • McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform will be first bill. (Oct 3)
  • Campaign finance reform will be very first bill to Congress. (Aug 18)
  • $7B public campaign finance fund. (Apr 16)
  • Full disclosure for lobbyists, donations, & issue ads. (Mar 27)
  • Calls for soft-money ban; but won’t unilaterally disarm. (Mar 11)
  • Free TV and radio for candidates during campaigns. (Mar 1)
  • Has supported bills like McCain-Feingold for 20 years. (Oct 1999)

    Reinventing Government

  • Continue Reinvention: put everything federal on Internet. (Apr 25)
  • “Reinvention” caused some reform, but nothing fundamental. (Mar 3)
  • Continue “reinvention”, which has saved $137 billion. (May 1999)
  • Decentralization builds faith in government. (Jan 1999)
  • Customer Satisfaction Survey for feds. (Jan 1999)
  • Common sense government: focus on results & customers. (Sep 1995)
  • ReGo: downsize; streamline; restructure; & privatize. (Sep 1995)
  • Strict constructionists on Supreme Court; not activists. (Oct 3)
  • Gore plan will lead to massive government and bureaucracy. (Oct 3)
  • Make govt citizen-centered, results-oriented & market-based. (Jun 9)
  • Restore cooperation with Congress, to accomplish more. (Jun 8)
  • Judges should be strict constructionists. (Apr 2)
  • Pay for tax cuts with cash, not corporate loopholes. (Jan 26)
  • Meet basic priorities, & return leftovers to taxpayers. (Jan 13)
  • No legislating from the bench-judges should just interpret. (Jan 6)
  • Term limits for state representatives and governors. (Jul 1998)
  • Favors Tort Reform to make it harder to sue corporations. (Oct 1999)
  • No lawsuits on good-faith acts. (Jun 1999)

    Campaign Finance Reform

  • Ban soft money, but no public financing of elections. (Oct 3)
  • “Paycheck Protection”: no union-directed campaign donations. (Apr 2)
  • No government takeover of campaign finance. (Mar 27)
  • Full disclosure and no giving limits. (Mar 2)
  • No corporate or union soft money. (Feb 15)
  • Agrees to no negative ads; stop tearing each other down. (Jan 10)
  • Supports tweaking campaign finance rules. (Jul 1999)

    Tort Reform

  • Reform the court system to serve people, not lawyers. (Feb 9>
Return to Index
Al Gore on Gun Control George W. Bush on Gun Control
  • Mandatory background checks & child safety locks. (Aug 18)
  • Agrees with Bush on banning weapons; but wants registration. (Apr 21)
  • Nationally mandated, state-run system of photo licensing. (Apr 20)
  • Take on the NRA with presidential leadership. (Mar 1)
  • Passed toughest gun control in 30 years; same for next 30. (Feb 21)
  • Maximize gun control within what’s politically possible. (Jan 5)
  • Counter gun lobby with ‘family lobby’ to shield kids. (Jun 1999)
  • Voted against some gun limitations while in Congress. (Jun 1999)
  • Supports background checks at gun shows, in tie-breaker. (May 1999)
  • Supports Brady Law and ban on assault weapons. (May 1999)
  • Government should pay for voluntary trigger locks. (May 13)
  • Bush says Gore is more a member of NRA than Bush is. (May 5)
  • Agrees with Gore on trigger locks;but wants more enforcement. (Apr 21)
  • Project Sentry: juvenile gun laws & school accountability. (Apr 20)
  • Would sign, but would not push, gun restrictions. (Apr 14)
  • Ban automatic weapons & high-capacity ammunition clips. (Apr 2)
  • Best gun control is more prosecution & certain jail. (Dec 1999)
  • Supports gun ownership for protection and hunting. (Dec 1999)
  • $1.6M TX campaign, “Gun Crime Means Hard Time.”. (Sep 1999)
  • Raise legal age for guns to 21; ban certain ammo. (Aug 1999)
  • No child-safety locks on guns; concealed carrying ok. (Jun 1999)
  • No city lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jun 1999)
  • Gun restrictions OK within basic right to own guns. (May 1999)
  • Gun show checks OK; ban guns near schools & kids. (Apr 1999)
  • Assault weapon OK; waiting period not OK. (Apr 1999)
Return to Index
Al Gore on Health Care George W. Bush on Health Care
  • Opposes Medical Savings Accounts; they segment out the sick. (Oct 11)
  • Cover 12 million uninsured at a 10-year cost of $157 billion. (Sep 30)
  • Stronger penalties for HMOs who drop seniors. (Sep 25)
  • Too many seniors have to choose between drugs and rent. (Sep 23)
  • Foster competition in drug research; companies misspend R&D. (Aug 28)
  • Move toward universal health coverage, step by step. (Aug 18)
  • Curb excess pharmaceutical profits made at consumer expense. (Jul 1)
  • $30B over 10 years to help families with elder care. (Jun 6)
  • Remove stigma & treat mental illness like physical illness. (May 31)
  • Against assisted suicide; but leave it to the states. (May 13)
  • All children should have health care by 2004. (Apr 28)
  • Get generic drugs to market quickly & cheaply. (Mar 31)
  • Let FDA regulate cigarettes; fight teenage smoking. (Mar 22)
  • Expand Children’s Health Insurance Program for working poor. (Mar 14)
  • 25% tax credit for health insurance; HMO appeals. (Mar 14)
  • $146B over 10 years to insure 90% of adults & 100% of kids. (Oct 1999)
  • Focus on prevention to limit costs. (May 1999)
  • No discriminating based on genetic information. (Nov 1998)

    Medicare & Medicaid

  • Medicare Rx plan: you choose, Medicare pays. (Oct 3)
  • Put Medicare in lockbox so seniors can afford prescriptions. (Oct 3)
  • Protect Medicare’s funds with “lockbox”. (Sep 23)
  • Modernize Medicare with choice, efficiency, competition. (Sep 23)
  • Senior prescription drug benefit with $4,000 cap. (Sep 23)
  • Allow 55-65 year olds to buy into Medicare. (Sep 23)
  • Free preventive cancer screenings for Medicare beneficiaries. (Sep 23)
  • $253B for Medicare prescriptions & subsidized premiums. (Sep 6)
  • 1997 Medicare cuts went too far-put back $339B. (Aug 31)
  • Health Care Trust Fund to expand coverage. (Jun 14)
  • $300B over 15 years to keep Medicare solvent. (Mar 1)

    Patient Rights

  • Encourage competition, ensure choice, stop abuses. (Sep 23)
  • Private medical information should not be bought and sold. (Sep 19)
  • Enforce HMO coverage of women’s cancer treatment. (Sep 18)
  • Patients have right to more access, protection, recourse. (Jul 11)
  • Patient rights: emergency coverage & performance disclosure. (Jan 8)
  • Patients and doctors should decide who gets what care. (Oct 1999)
  • Medical Savings Accounts part of affordable access & choice. (Oct 11)
  • Cover 3 million uninsured at a 10-year cost of $135 billion. (Sep 30)
  • Invest $27B in NIH to cure Alzheimer’s & other diseases. (Sep 22)
  • Blueprint: Senior choice; Rx benefit; tax breaks. (Sep 17)
  • Government HMOs not the answer for Social Security. (Sep 11)
  • Cap senior prescription costs at $6,000 per year. (Sep 6)
  • Second bill to Congress: $48B for immediate Rx help. (Sep 5)
  • More funding for disability assistance. (Jun 15)
  • $7.4B for nursing home insurance via tax deductions. (May 11)
  • Family Health Credit: pay for 90% of basic low-income policy. (Apr 13)
  • Small business health insurance via trade associations. (Apr 13)
  • $3.6B for 1,200 new community health centers. (Apr 13)
  • More CHIPs; more multistate HMOs. (Apr 13)
  • New Prosperity Initiative: $2,000 health ins. tax credit. (Apr 11)
  • Expand and Reform Medical Savings Accounts:. (Apr 11)
  • Opposes doctor assisted suicide. (Apr 2)
  • Restrict teenage smoking by tough state & federal laws. (Mar 22)
  • Health insurance for kids from tobacco settlement. (Jun 1999)

    Medicare & Medicaid

  • Gore’s plan is “Mediscare”; hasn’t helped for 8 years. (Oct 3)
  • Medicare Rx plan: immediate help, then senior choice. (Oct 3)
  • $158B for Medicare prescriptions & subsidized premiums. (Sep 6)
  • Choice of Medicare, free equivalent, or adding own $. (Sep 5)
  • All seniors entitled to Medicare; poor seniors subsidized. (Sep 5)
  • Medicare Rx drug coverage for low-income seniors. (Mar 1)
  • Replace 132,000-page Medicare document with senior choice. (Jan 16)

    Patient Rights

  • Give seniors choice, not bureaucrats; give incentives too. (Sep 5)
  • Use Texas model for Bill of Rights: access; choice; appeals. (Aug 31)
  • Health care access via empowerment, not nationalizing. (Apr 13)
  • Private alternatives & state reforms come first. (Apr 2)
  • HMOs should cover emergency room; & gynecology directly. (Mar 14)
  • Create Review Board to hear HMO complaints. (Dec 1999)
Return to Index
Al Gore on Juvenile Crime George W. Bush on Juvenile Crime
  • Focus on discipline, character and safety in schools. (Apr 28)
  • Solution is gun control, V-chips, and character education. (Apr 20)
  • Ban guns in churches; “lock box” for crime funding. (Apr 14)
  • Ban guns in churches; “lock box” for crime funding. (Apr 14)
  • Tough gun laws & so much more, to stop child tragedies. (Mar 1)
  • Zero tolerance for guns at school; raise age to 21. (Jan 8)
  • We need more self-restraint in the media. (Dec 1999)
  • Make schools violence-free and drug-free. (Jun 1999)
  • Faith-based crime prevention via clergy outreach. (May 1999)
  • Tough “Second-chance schools” for kids. (May 1999)
  • Safety at school & home: Project Sentry & Project ChildSafe. (Sep 17)
  • Avoid Columbine via gun control, values & character ed. (Apr 20)
  • Zero tolerance on disruption, guns, & school safety. (Apr 2)
  • More laws & enforcement on juveniles with guns. (Apr 2)
  • Parental accountability is more important than trigger locks. (Mar 2)
  • “Tough-love” in strictly disciplined boot camps. (Dec 1999)
  • Arrest for guns in school; track juvenile offenders. (Jun 1999)
  • For tough juvenile justice laws. (Jun 1999)
  • Increased penalties to rehabilitate juveniles. (May 1999)
  • Filter - or avoid - media that romanticizes violence. (Apr 1999)
  • Track gangs; enact automatic sentencing. (Jan 1999)
  • Supports trying minors as adults for violent crimes. (Dec 1998)
Return to Index
Al Gore on Kosovo George W. Bush on Kosovo
  • Genocide is a strategic interest & warrants intervention. (Oct 11)
  • Bosnia: Be proud that we stopped ethnic cleansing. (Oct 4)
  • Russians won’t ask Milosevic to step down. (Oct 3)
  • Will decide about Milosevic based on 24 years of experience. (Oct 3)
  • US must support Serbia in kicking out Milosevic. (Oct 3)
  • Supported early action in Bosnia; no “Vietnam syndrome”. (Mar 3)
  • Serbs committing crimes against humanity. (May 1999)
  • Ethnic cleansing means mass murder and we will stop it. (Apr 1999)
  • Moral interests apply to all; NATO can act on it here. (Apr 1999)
  • Ignoring Milosevic destabilizes Europe & world justice. (Apr 1999)
  • Moral interests dictate that we fight Milosevic’s evil. (Apr 1999)
  • Bomb until Serb forces withdraw & refugees return. (Apr 1999)
  • Harming NATO is a strategic interest & warrants intervention. (Oct 11)
  • Let Russians convince Milosevic to step down. (Oct 3)
  • Pull US troops out of Balkans; and pay them more. (Aug 21)
  • No deadline for removing troops from Kosovo. (May 25)
  • Supported intervention & ground troops; but without UN. (Apr 2)
  • Be suspicious of agreement until Serbs gone & Kosovars home. (Jun 1999)
  • Timetable for US peacekeepers to hand over to Europeans. (Jun 1999)











Return to Index
Al Gore on Principles and Values George W. Bush on
Principles and Values
  • Judge me on my experience and platform. (Oct 3)
  • Gore’s favorite things: Wheaties, Beatles, & kissing Tipper. (Sep 12)
  • Make history with fewer than 1 in 10 living in poverty. (Sep 6)
  • Agrees to further debates if Bush agrees to 3 main debates. (Sep 4)
  • Focus on “specifics” questions Bush & favors wonkishness. (Aug 22)
  • Populist tone to commitment to fight for the people. (Aug 20)
  • Running on his agenda of last quarter century. (Aug 13)
  • Challenges Bush to debate issues instead of personal attacks. (Aug 9)
  • Criticism with defense of Clinton served the public interest. (Jan 5)
  • Policies, not labels, define me. (Jan 5)
  • Working to improve things overcomes disillusionment. (Oct 1999)
  • Practical Idealism: centrist on most issues. (Jul 1999)
  • America’s mission: prove that freedom & diversity work. (Apr 1999)

    Campaign Themes

  • Top Ten rejected campaign slogans. (Sep 14)
  • Stand for the people and against special interests. (Jul 10)
  • Whose side are you on? The people’s or the powerful? (Jul 7)
  • Earth in the Balance is a call to action and hope. (Apr 23)
  • In Congress, called himself a “raging moderate”. (Mar 3)
  • Domestic priorities: schools, health, enviro, & Reinvention. (Dec 1999)
  • “Stay and fight!” invokes passion, loyalty, and purpose. (Oct 1999)
  • Four core principles of Reinventing Government. (Jun 1999)

    Religion

  • Abstinence Ed in the context of comprehensive Sex Ed. (Sep 22)
  • Voluntary school prayer is ok, if teachers aren’t involved. (Sep 12)
  • Lieberman’s morality & Jewishness makes him a bold pick. (Aug 8)
  • Born-again Baptist; serves God & obeys God’s will. (Mar 3)
  • Respect Constitution and others when affirming faith. (Jan 5)
  • Faith-based organizations replace govt programs. (May 1999)
  • Leads by building consensus, not by following polls. (Oct 3)
  • End irresponsibility like ‘No controlling legal authority’. (Oct 3)
  • Favorites: PB&J, tacos, Winston Churchill, kissing Laura. (Sep 27)
  • Not running for president on father’s name. (Sep 20)
  • Quit drinking when alcohol started to compete with family. (Sep 19)
  • “RATS” TV ad not an intentional subliminal message. (Sep 13)
  • No need to excuse Cheney from energy issues. (Aug 13)
  • My generation tested limits; now we’re coming home. (Aug 3)
  • Uphold law of the land & the dignity of the office. (Aug 3)
  • Bush has “hands-off” style, says the test is good decisions. (Aug 2)
  • Surrounded by smart people, but he decides himself. (Aug 1)
  • Picked Cheney as a valuable partner and fully capable. (Jul 25)
  • Baseball is fun, politics is not. (Jun 5)
  • McCain didn’t change Bush’s opinions at all. (Mar 15)
  • Priorities: Reaganesque tax cuts; education & health reform. (Mar 2)
  • Challenges the orthodoxy but is still a devout conservative. (Oct 1999)
  • Bush’s centrism: free trade; private IRAs; no new taxes. (Jul 1999)
  • Government can create an environment for prosperity. (Jun 1999)
  • Match conservative minds with compassionate hearts. (Jun 1999)
  • Governs by outlining ideas & letting Legislature do details. (May 1999)

    Campaign Themes

  • Blueprint for the Middle Class: from birth thru retirement. (Sep 17)
  • Real Plans for Real People: Bush promises honest talking. (Sep 8)
  • Now is the time to do the hard things. (Aug 21)
  • Calling everything “Risky Scheme” is politics of roadblocks. (Aug 3)
  • Theme: change how Washington works & restore moral purpose. (Jun 9)
  • Bush’s conservatism: local solutions within limited govt. (Dec 1999)
  • Government if necessary, not necessarily government. (Dec 1999)
  • “Compassionate conservatism” allows individual potential. (Mar 1999)
  • Prosperity with a purpose: Peaceful & prosperous future. (Mar 1999)

    Religion

  • US chosen by God to be a model among nations. (Aug 29)
  • Talk at Bob Jones was a missed opportunity to speak out. (Mar 2)
  • Jesus is part of my life; but won’t exclude non-Christians. (Jan 6)
  • “A Charge to Keep,” hymn & painting, inspire Bush. (Dec 1999)
  • Charitable Choice has churches mentoring weflare clients. (Jun 1999)
  • Allow religious groups to address social ills. (Dec 1998)
  • Diminish role of govt as communities & churches take over. (Jul 1998)
  • Base “responsibility era” on Judeo-Christian values. (Apr 1998)
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Al Gore on School Choice George W. Bush on School Choice
  • Vouchers cause public schools to have 9:30 lunch & no desks. (Oct 3)
  • Spend resources rebuilding public schools. (Oct 3)
  • Yes, poor parents in failing schools might like vouchers. (Aug 31)
  • Invest in schools; don’t drain them via vouchers. (Aug 18)
  • Lieberman experiments with vouchers; Bush destroys with them. (Aug 10)
  • Parents in failing schools can’t wait: Shut down & re-open. (May 23)
  • For-profit schools OK within public system. (May 23)
  • Says Bush’s “choice” sends kids to bad public schools. (Apr 28)
  • Choice & competition only within public & charter schools. (Apr 28)
  • Give parents choice in choosing public schools. (Mar 21)
  • Increase public school aid by 50% instead of vouchers. (Jan 17)
  • No experimental vouchers. (Sep 1999)
  • More choice, more local control, within public schools. (May 1999)
  • Shut failing schools; then re-open & turn them around. (May 1999)
  • Against vouchers; build up public schools instead. (Mar 1998)
  • Allow “charter states” as well as charter schools. (Sep 30)
  • One size does not fit all in education. (Aug 3)
  • Money from failed schools can go to charters or tutors too. (May 23)
  • Tax money to religious schools OK, if they’re teaching kids. (May 23)
  • Profit-making schools OK, as long as kids learn. (May 23)
  • Fund 2,000 charter schools; defund failing schools. (Apr 2)
  • Don’t subsidize problems in schools; solve them. (Mar 15)
  • If schools fail for 3 years, funding becomes “portable”. (Feb 29)
  • Charters encourage innovative methods & provide choices. (Dec 1999)
  • $3 billion for Charter School Fund. (Oct 1999)
  • School decisions by parents, not federal judges. (Aug 1999)
  • Let poor people choose their schools, like rich people do. (Aug 1999)
  • Vouchers a priority; encourage their spread. (Apr 1999)
  • Supports vouchers, including private or religious schools. (Dec 1998)
  • Vouchers tied to “accountability system”. (Mar 1998)
  • “Home rule” with state standards. (Feb 1995)
Return to Index
Al Gore on Social Security George W. Bush on Social Security
Return to Index
  • Bush’s “Social Security Minus” diverts $1 from every $6. (Oct 3)
  • Paying off national debt keeps trust fund solvent until 2054. (Sep 30)
  • Dedicate the budget surplus first to saving Social Security. (Aug 18)
  • Open questions: future surplus & future discipline. (Jul 5)
  • Social Security Plus: voluntary tax-free private investment. (Jun 13)
  • Protect Social Security from privacy & ID theft. (Jun 9)
  • Use stock market for private investment, not Social Security. (May 24)
  • Debt reduction and interest saved will save social security. (May 16)
  • Keep the ‘security’ in Social Security. (May 15)
  • Ensure health care & retirement security for aging veterans. (May 10)
  • Privatization is “stock market roulette”. (Apr 5)
  • Eliminate the motherhood penalty. (Apr 3)
  • Strengthen benefits for widows. (Apr 3)
  • Streamline disability and advocacy processes. (Jun 1999)
  • Opposed cutting Medicare; commit more funds instead. (Jun 1999)
  • Protect retirement plans while times are good. (May 1999)
  • Young workers want to invest some Social Security money. (Oct 3)
  • Gore’s plan requires taxes: “Social Security Plus Huge Debt”. (Oct 3)
  • Prohibit govt investment in the stock market, private OK. (Sep 30)
  • Blueprint: Maintain retiree benefits; young get more options. (Sep 17)
  • I will touch the third rail so I can fix it. (Aug 3)
  • Open questions: transition costs & bad investors bailouts. (Jul 5)
  • No specifics like: What age? What percentage? (May 16)
  • Maintain basics of government’s “most successful program”. (May 15)
  • 2% real return is not enough; sound investments get 6%. (May 15)
  • Support retirement via government-plus-private system. (May 15)
  • Privatize Social Security to take advantage of stock market. (May 4)
  • No government investment in private stocks or bonds. (Apr 2)
  • Consider raising retirement age. (Nov 1999)
  • Supports subsidized Medicare menu with means testing. (Apr 1999)
  • Lock-box yes; tax increase no; bipartisanship yes. (Apr 1999)
Return to Index
Al Gore on Tax Reform George W. Bush on Tax Reform
  • Cut taxes for 99% of middle class, not the wealthiest 1%. (Oct 3)
  • Target surplus at national debt, rainy days, & education. (Sep 30)
  • End marriage penalty; reform estate tax; targeted cuts. (Sep 6)
  • Lower taxes for working families with targeted tax reform. (Sep 6)
  • Yes, it’s your money-but it’s your programs too. (Aug 31)
  • Too large a tax cut would wreck economy & military readiness. (Aug 23)
  • Tax cuts to benefit middle-class, not just the rich. (Aug 21)
  • Bush’s tax cut gives average family only 62 cents. (Aug 18)
  • Don’t eliminate gas tax; ask oil interests to charge less. (Jul 3)
  • Eliminate estate taxes for the little guy, not the wealthy. (Jun 21)
  • Eliminate the marriage penalty for working families. (Jun 15)
  • $500B in tax cuts targeted to working families. (Jun 15)
  • Help caregivers with tax reform, nursing home alternatives. (Jun 7)
  • Bush’s tax plan is “economic snake oil”. (Mar 17)
  • $250B over 10 years in targeted tax cuts. (Feb 27)
  • Save Social Security, Medicare, and address debt before cuts. (Feb 21)
  • Rules out tax increase in good economic times. (Dec 1999)
  • $792B tax cut is a “risky tax scheme”. (Aug 1999)
  • Clinton/Gore couldn’t deliver on 1992 tax cuts. (Oct 3)
  • All Americans deserve tax relief; no more “fuzzy numbers”. (Oct 3)
  • More child & charity deductions in $1.3T tax cut. (Sep 30)
  • Blueprint: Cut rates, marriage penalty, & death tax. (Sep 17)
  • Tax relief will spur growth and help pay national debt. (Aug 30)
  • Tax cut for all is affordable and right thing to do. (Aug 23)
  • The surplus is the people’s money-return it. (Aug 3)
  • No one should pay more than 1/3 in taxes. (Aug 3)
  • Don’t eliminate gas tax; ask OPEC to increase supply. (Jul 3)
  • Add targeted cuts to comprehensive tax cut. (Jun 17)
  • Cut taxes on income, children, & inheritance. (Jun 6)
  • More deductions for kids, education, charity, and marriage. (May 27)
  • Use the marketplace to encourage people to save and invest. (Apr 26)
  • New Prosperity Initiative: 6 million tax-free families. (Apr 11)
  • Reduce share of tax burden on low- and middle-income. (Apr 11)
  • End death tax; reduce marriage penalty; more child credits. (Apr 2)
  • Biggest tax cuts to those who pay the biggest tax bills. (Feb 27)
  • Use prosperous times to get money out of Washington. (Jan 26)
  • Cut top tax rate to 33% while cutting lower income taxes too. (Jan 10)
  • 1997 no-tax pledge: judge results, despite breaking pledge. (Jan 10)
  • Tax cuts, so help me God. (Jan 6)
  • Proposes tax cuts of $483B over 5 years. (Dec 1999)
  • Lower tax rates to 10%-25%-33%; end inheritance tax. (Dec 1999)
  • $8B tax incentives for charitable contributions. (Jul 1999)
  • Read my tax pledge: No new taxes. (Jun 1999)
  • Simplify tax code to stimulate economic growth. (Apr 1999)
Al Gore on Technology George W. Bush on Technology
Return to Index
  • Maintain prosperity via millions of new high-tech jobs. (Sep 6)
  • Double investment in medical research. (Aug 18)
  • New technology should not mean less privacy. (Jun 8)
  • Promote $500B market for energy technology. (Apr 23)
  • Unhealthy concentrations of power snuff out competition. (Apr 9)
  • Broadcasters required to assist with “Democracy Endowment”. (Mar 27)
  • Postpone Mars for domestic spending. (Dec 1999)
  • Expand crime-fighting computer technology nationally. (Jun 1999)
  • Triana satellite would inspire environmental consciousness. (Jun 1999)
  • Genome project yes; genetic discrimination no. (May 1999)

    Electronic Government

  • Create e-government, interactive access for all citizens. (Jun 5)
  • “G-Bay”: on-line government surplus auction site. (Jun 5)
  • Online federal services: a “second American Revolution”. (Jun 5)
  • Assisted heavily with invention of Internet in 1989. (Mar 3)
  • Proud of helping Internet; not proud of claiming invention. (Oct 1999)

    Internet

  • Electronic Bill of Rights protects personal information. (Oct 6)
  • Internet self-regulation OK: privacy policy on all web sites. (Oct 6)
  • V-chip & Internet filters are parental tools to protect kids. (Apr 20)
  • Bridge the Digital Divide. (Apr 3)
  • Regulate Internet privacy & child access, but not content. (Mar 1)
  • Universal Internet access should be a national priority. (Feb 21)
  • Tax-free Internet a catastrophe for local governments. (Dec 1999)
  • Connect every school to the Internet. (Jun 1999)
  • Use high tech to deliver government and social services. (May 1999)
  • Electronic Bill of Rights for personal privacy. (May 1999)
  • Privacy is a fundamental right; ensure it on the Internet. (Oct 6)
  • Ban identity theft & safeguard genetic information. (Oct 6)
  • Fewer strings to obtain technology for schools. (Jun 20)
  • Internet a tool, not a crutch. (Jun 19)
  • Tax ban keeps Internet growing & affordable. (May 10)
  • Bush would be more friendly toward Microsoft. (Apr 9)
  • $20B increase in R&D spending; permanent R&D tax credit. (Apr 2)
  • Census long form is intrusive; not sure he’d fill it out. (Mar 31)
  • Technology programs are obsolete before they start. (Jan 26)
  • Internet may or may not help mom & pop - wait & see. (Jan 7)
  • Extend Internet sales tax ban; but wary of Main St. losses. (Dec 1999)
  • Census by head count, if possible. (Jun 1999)
  • V-chip OK, but cultural changes are better. (May 1999)
Al Gore on Welfare and Labor George W. Bush on Welfare and Labor
Return to Index
  • Invest to increase median family income by one-third by 2010. (Sep 6)
  • $2.3B in tax credits for worker training. (Jun 23)
  • $200B to encourage more savings by low-income workers. (Jun 19)
  • Second generation of welfare reform: focus on fatherhood. (Jun 2)
  • Build 180,000 low-income homes; subsidize 120,000 more. (Apr 19)
  • Investing in inner cities is good deed & good business. (Apr 16)
  • 7M people off welfare: reform has worked. (Jan 26)
  • Reduce child poverty via tax credits & minimum wage. (Jan 8)
  • Invest in urban redevelopment and “Empowerment Zones”. (May 1999)

    Faith-based organizations

  • Supports volunteerism thru faith-based organizations. (May 1999)
  • Corporations should match donations to faith-based orgs. (May 1999)
  • “Charitable Choice:” Fed funds for church-based welfare. (May 1999)
  • Faith-based organizations replace govt programs. (May 1999)

    Labor

  • Reduce poverty to 10% via welfare reform & minimum wage. (Sep 6)
  • Support equal pay for equal work. (Sep 6)
  • Promises labor prosperity, repeal of striker replacement law. (Jul 21)
  • To union: we disagree on China; but agree elsewhere. (May 22)
  • Supports Coal Miner and Widows Health Protection Act. (May 10)
  • Add $1 to minimum wage; add earned-income credits. (Aug 1999)
  • Injuries can be reduced by workers self-identifying hazards. (May 1999)
  • Blueprint: promote charity, community, and safety. (Sep 17)
  • Transform low-income rentals to home ownership. (Aug 3)
  • Focus welfare on transition to work & responsibility. (Jun 5)
  • $1.7B over 5 years for home rehabs in poor neighborhoods. (Apr 19)
  • 50% tax credits for 20,000 home rehabs per year. (Apr 19)
  • New Prosperity Initiative: rent vouchers; homeowner credits. (Apr 11)
  • $1B & tax credits for Individual Development Accounts. (Apr 11)
  • Remove tax “tollbooths” for poor single moms. (Jan 22)
  • Supports low-income heating oil assistance program. (Dec 1999)
  • Work and responsibility to replace welfare. (Dec 1999)
  • Too much government fosters dependency. (Dec 1999)

    Faith-based organizations

  • Fund faith-based private programs that promote independence. (Jun 27)
  • Compassion Capital Fund to foster church-based welfare. (Apr 2)
  • Church-based solutions for drugs, daycare, & crime. (Apr 2)
  • “No-strings” vouchers for religious groups to do charity. (Jan 22)
  • Religious charities deserve government support. (Dec 1999)
  • Churches provide “armies of compassion” to help the poor. (Oct 1999)
  • Look first to faith-based organizations. (Aug 1999)
  • Religious groups compete for state service contracts. (Jun 1999)

    Labor

  • Flex-time & family-oriented work rules via tax code. (Oct 6)
  • Tax breaks, child care & bus fare for working recipients. (Jul 1998)

Return to previous page with issues of:

Abortion
Budget and Economy
China
Civil Rights
Crime
Defense
Drugs
Education
Environment
Familes and Children

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Election 2000 Issues

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DL DEWEY
Updated January 1st, 2005
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