the economy: do we know what the candidate's plans are?

I haven't really heard much in this area from either candidate - and I do think it is a very important area that needs to be addressed - before the election! I do know that McCain has hired an expert economist to serve on his staff to advise him in such matters, but haven't heard anything beyond that. There are rumors that Congress intends to authorize another stimulus payment before the end of the year, but don't know whether that is accurate or not. I don't really feel that the minimal amounts that each family receives are enough to actually do anything for the economy - most of the time it helps catch up on bills they already owe and doesn't go towards new purchases. As we all know, gas prices are having a huge impact on Americans - much of their paycheck is going to pay for gas to go to and from work instead of to buy new items. Food prices are also taking a big part of everyone's paycheck. I personally don't think that tax cuts/increases impact each of us all that much - especially to the point of helping the economy. I would rather think that the government needs to get involved in the areas of gas prices and food prices to actually help the economy.

Whats not clear about giving tax cuts to the middle class working families? What not clear about offering college assitance to students who provide community svc? Whats not clear about an additional $1000 stimulus check for all families who file taxes? Also, what is not clear about companies losing their tax breaks if they continue to send jobs over sees? I mean shall I go on? What I would like clearified is besides MCCain not cutting taxes for the rich, what specifically will he do? I think folks listen to what they want to listen to...

Obama's economic aproach: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/ McCain's economic aproach: http://www.johnmccain.com/Issues/jobsforamerica/ Read and debate away folks.

The way the parties think on the economy are exactly opposite. Republicans tend to believe in "trickle down" economics where businesses are given tax credits in the hopes that if corporations are doing better there will be more jobs and lower prices. We've seen Bush use this strategy. He gave corportaions huge cuts and now 2/3 of corportations don't pay any income taxes. As you all know, during the current Administration, unemployment is at a 5 year high and the cost of everything across the board has skyrockted. Democrats tend to believe in "trickle up" economics where the people are given tax relief in hopes that they will spend more which will then help the corporations. That's another reason Congress just approved a raise on the minimum wage for the first time in years. It's up to you as a voter to decide which approach you think is right.