| The Candidates | |||||
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| The Issues | Rick Santorum | Rick Perry | Newt Gingrich | Mitt Romney | Ron Paul |
| Gay Rights | Strong supporter of "Defense of Marriage Act," against same-sex marriages. | Strong supporter of "Defense of Marriage Act" and against same-sex marriage. | Against same-sex marriage. | Against same-sex marriage; promoted gay rights until 2004. | States decide on same-sex marriage, personally believes in traditional marriage. |
| Education | Repeal No Child Left Behind, strong supporter of voucher, states-rights system. | Repeal No Child Left Behind, strong supporter of voucher, states-rights system. | Pell-grant style system for K-12 students, pay-performance for teachers, shrink Federal Department of Education and reform it to be a research organization, let states manage system. | Wants to give U.S. vouchers for public and private schools to families. | Eliminate Department of Education, switch to an entirely state-managed system. |
| Health Care | Repeal Obamacare. Medical liability reform, block funding to states for Medicare, "free marketplace" of insurers across state lines. | Repeal Obamacare. Medical liability reform, block funding to states for Medicare, "free marketplace" of insurers across state lines. | Repeal Obamacare. Vouchers for Americans to purchase private healthcare, medical malpractice lawsuit reform. | Repeal Obamacare, Reform Medicaid into a federal block grant administered by the states. | Repeal Obamacare, insurance sales should be legalized across state lines, tort reform, 100% tax credit for medical expenses for Americans, against national database of personal healthcare information. |
| Taxes/Economy | Reduce income tax into two brackets: 10% and 28%, eliminate death tax, lower capital gains tax to 12%, cut corporate income tax to 17.5%, eliminate corporate income tax for American manufacturers, increase Research & Development Tax credit to 20%. "Balanced budget" amendment to cap spending at 18% of G.D.P. | Wants to pass a 20% flat rate for all taxpayers, with an option to either pay 20% or remain under the current system. Eliminate social security benefits tax, death tax, and "corporate and special interest" tax loopholes. Wants to reduce corporate income tax to 20%, "Balanced Budget" amendment for Congress. | Eliminate capital gains tax, death tax, and reduce corporate income tax to 12.5%. Supports 15% flat tax for all Americans. Repeal Dodd-Frank Financial Regulations Act. | Eliminate taxes on interest, dividends, capital gains, and the estate tax. Wants a "lower and flatter" tax rate that would include more low-income participation while reducing the maximum contributions for the middle class and wealthy. Cap spending at 20% of G.D.P., cut non-security spending by 5%, "Balanced Budget" amendment for Congress. | Wants to pass a 20% flat rate for all taxpayers, with an option to either pay 20% or remain under the current system. Eliminate social security benefits tax, death tax, and "corporate and special interest" tax loopholes. Wants to reduce corporate income tax to 20%, "Balanced Budget" amendment for Congress. Eliminate Department of Commerce. |
| Immigration | Supports increased border security, border fence construction, etc. | Supports increased border security, border fence construction, etc. | Increase resources and security for border enforcement, wants to expand visas for foreign college graduates in U.S., especially in the math, science, or engineering fields. | Raise number of visas for those with degrees in math, science, or engineering; Give green cards to foreign math, science, and engineering grads in the U.S. | Supports strong border controls, no amnesty, and an end to birthright citizenship. |
The Republican candidates on the issues
Published: Sunday, January 15, 2012
Updated: Monday, January 16, 2012 00:01
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