Bush y Kerry: sus posiciones en los puntos claves

Fecha: 28/10/2004

Traductor: Estefanía, especial para P.I.

Fuente: El Guardián

Economy and jobs
Bush: Has staked economic policy on the benefits of tax cuts. Pledged to halve the budget deficit in a second term, relying on the hope that economic growth will increase tax revenues. Proposes to allow workers to put pension contributions into individual market funds, opting out of government system.
Kerry: Priority should be return to fiscal restraint, also promising to halve the budget deficit in the next five years, partly by increasing taxes on those earning over $200,000. Will create jobs through $25bn in direct aid to states in budget crisis and end tax-breaks for companies setting up production abroad. Opposes privatisation of pensions.

Healthcare
Bush: Argues for incremental and free-market approach to healthcare crisis, which has left 45 million uninsured. Will offer tax credits to people who buy coverage in low premium, high-deductible "health savings accounts". Aims to reduce costs by putting limits on malpractice lawsuits.
Kerry: Wants comprehensive overhaul of the system, allowing all Americans to join a federal employee health plan, used by members of Congress. The government would pay 75% of the cost of "catastrophic care" in the event of serious injury or emergency surgery, lowering premiums. The whole plan would cost between $650bn and $1 trillion.

Education
Bush: Wants to expand his No Child Left Behind programme tying school funding to test results, adding two more tests for high school pupils.
Kerry: Argues the programme has imposed tests without providing funds. Would increase financing and offer more generous tax credits for higher education costs.

Energy and environment
Bush: Proposes reducing dependence on Middle East oil by increasing domestic drilling, particularly in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Tax credits for fuel-efficient cars and renewable energy production.
Kerry: Proposes return to emission taxes on polluting industries, using the money to clean up contaminated sites. Also supports incentive for fuel efficient production and consumption.

Gay marriage
Bush: Adamantly opposes gay marriage and supports a constitutional amendment banning it. Leaves it up to states to decide whether to grant same-sex couples the same benefits as heterosexual couples.
Kerry: Supports equal rights for gay couples, personally opposes gay marriage, but also opposes a constitutional amendment banning it.

Abortion
Bush: Opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or danger to life of the mother. Officially would not make attitude to abortion a "litmus test" for appointment of new judges to the supreme court, but has made clear his preference for anti-abortion judges.
Kerry: Supports abortion rights, and would nominate judges to the higher courts who also support those rights. Opposed last year's law banning late-term abortions.

Stem cell research
Bush: Will stick to his ban on federal funding for research that involves the use of more human embryos.
Kerry: Supports funding for research involving more human embryos.

Gun control
Bush: Opposes most restrictions on gun ownership. Said he supported extending a ban on assault rifles but did nothing to stop it expiring in Congress in September. Endorsed by the National Rifle Association.
Kerry: Emphasises he is a gun owner and hunter, but supports a ban on assault weapons and legislation that would hold manufacturers liable for gun crimes in certain circumstances.

The Guardian
Thursday October 28, 2004