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| Your 2008 Election Guide By: Clarissa Wong No matter who wins, McCain or Obama, in the 2008 election, history will be made. Many Americans look on with enthusiasm, excitement and eagerness to participate in the election. However, as readers of Athena Magazine, you may wonder how these candidates personally affect you, not only as Americans but also as women. Abortion is a hot-button issue, and is often an important election question. Obama has voiced support for Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion during the first trimester. He is pro- choice, and a supporter of women’s reproductive choice. On the other side of the political fence though, McCain believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned; in other words he is against abortion and is pro-life, unless in cases involving rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is in danger. Another significant issue is prevention of unintended pregnancy and birth control. Obama fully supports the Prevention First Act of 2007, which increases funding for family planning and sex education, including both abstinence and safe sex methods. For birth control, Obama has discussed plans to make birth control more affordable for all women in college and for low-income women. However, McCain is more conservative with these views. On sex education, he supports President Bush’s current policy focused on abstinence only. Consistently in the past, he voted against birth control, for instance in 2003 he voted against having health insurance include prescription birth control. Now for an issue that goes beyond a woman's uterus: same-sex marriage. Although Obama does not support same-sex marriage, he does not believe there should be a constitutional ban against it. Instead of same-sex marriage, he promotes civil unions where the couple will still have same rights and privileges as a heterosexual married couple. McCain also opposes same-sex marriage and suggests states should individually deal with this issue rather than the federal government Another major issue that personally affects women is health care. Both candidates have contrasting opinions on how to handle America’s health care issues, but they have similar goals. Obama’s main goal in health care is ensuring all Americans have affordable health insurance. He has also suggested ending insurance companies' stance towards Americans with pre-existing health conditions. Also, he wants to increase funding for research, care and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Although Obama has many great prospects, he does not appear to have a concrete financial source to carry out all of his plans. McCain promotes individually purchased insurance systems. In addition, he has said that he would like to provide more choices than simply employer-based health coverage. Like Obama, McCain also wants to end insurance companies discriminating against Americans with pre-existing health conditions. McCain has recently suggested providing a health care tax credit to Americans, but has not made clear where that money would come from. Both candidates have different views on how to handle America’s issues, particularly towards women. We all have different ideas of our needs and beliefs because of our lifestyles, religion, morals, and opinions of our natural rights as Americans. Regardless of your stance though, make sure your voice is heard in November by voting. For more information about either candidate, visit their official campaign website. |
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