It can be difficult to sift through all the issues as the candidates throw barbs at each other this year. This is a summary of what I can gather along with my own opinions.

THE ECONOMY:
Obama: Wants to enforce labor and environmental standards on free trade. Wants to tax oil companies. Would allow limited off-shore drilling in exchange for alternative energy.

McCain: Supports free trade. Would lift ban on off-shore drilling and support oil, gas, and alternative fuel production.

The Boomer: Nixon started us into this mess and others used free trade as a stop gap to a falling economy. We are now stuck with free trade. Boomer suggests a mandatory import tax where the funds support small business job creation and a gradual decline of free trade until imports match exports and Americans go back to work at a decent wage. Tax your Toyota. Turn the Toyota factories into Ford plants.

ABORTION:
Obama: Favors abortion rights.

McCain: Opposes abortion rights.

The Boomer: This is one area where the decision has to be a little grey. Abortion should only be allowed when the mother's life is in jeopardy or it is medically evident that the baby will not be born alive.

DEATH PENALTY:
Obama: Supports the death penalty for crimes which " the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage".

McCain: Want to expand the federal death penalty.

The Boomer: All pre-meditated or multiple murders should result in the death penalty.

EDUCATION:
Obama: Reward teachers with higher pay not tied to standardized test scores. Tax credits for college students who perform community service.

McCain: Parental choice of schools. Vouchers for private schools. Supports community colleges.

The Boomer: It seems no one knows what to do here. The collapse of the family along with gangs, drugs and other addiction problems in our communities are the cause of failed education. The government didn't learn yet that vouchers didn't work in housing and will not work in education. Who pays for the tuition the government subsidizes for allowing community service? WE DO. The steel workers prices themselves out of jobs, and the auto workers came close. The teachers are next. There are too many educational requirements for teachers. Some of the best potential teachers have little formal education, some are moms and dads with work experience. Higher pay? Are you kidding me?

HEALTH CARE
Obama: Coverage for children. Require employers to share cost of providing insurance similar to federal employees. Says it would cost $65 billion after making system more efficient. Wealthy families would pay more taxes to fund it.

McCain: Individual tax credits to make insurance more affordable. If you get the tax credit, you cannot deduct the portion paid by your employer.

The Boomer: If employers have to give insurance similar to federal employee insurance, won't they be able to hire fewer employees. Aren't these the employers that are asking unions for cuts? Making the system more efficient? Come on now! When we can't really solve problems lets just have the rich pay for it. No one has the guts to go after the medical, drug, and insurance industries who have profits similar to the oil industry that everyone bashes.

FOREIGN POLICY:
Obama: Would meet with Iran's President - wait, maybe not. Be diplomatic with Iran and press for tough international sanctions. Opposed troop increase in Iraq - wait, maybe not until the end of 2009.

McCain: Tougher sanctions against Iran. Willing to have permanent peacekeeping force in Iraq.

The Boomer: I am tired of fighting for the world. Let France have a go at it. Maybe the Russians will pummel a few more countries. Maybe Iran will aggravate Israel who will pummel them. Let the Taliban take over Pakistan and then blow the whole place up after evacuation of democratic citizens. Then let them return and help them rebuild. No one talks about foreign aide either. Our kids are killing each other on the streets and we give everyone else aide. Movie stars build schools and give aide all over. Do they ever look out their own windows?

BOOMER'S VOTING TIPS:
1. Never believe the media polls. They are pointed at certain demographic groups.

They were so so wrong in the primaries.
2. Read responsible internet reports about the issues and then decide.
3. Vote. Even though you know they won't deliver on half the promises they make.

The American Italian Baby Boomer
http://IABBC.com

Charles Priore Italian American Baby Boomers Club http://IABBC.com