from http://election2008.aaas.org/comparisons
Better Health for Americans
Obama supports rescinding President Bush’s ban on embryonic stem cell research. He promises to invest in biomedical research as well as medical education and training in health-related fields. He also proposes to establish an independent institute for research on comparative effectiveness of treatments, and he supports increasing funding for autism research.
Science & Technology
Obama promises to make math and science education a top national priority and would seek to increase the number of graduates and undergraduates pursuing STEM fields. His plan would support a scholarship program that would focus on recruiting math, science and technology degree graduates, access to computers and broadband connections in public schools, and investment in science education R&D to determine what types of curriculum and instruction work best.
National & Homeland Security
Obama has said that preventing an avian flu pandemic is one of his national security priorities. He refers to his work with other Senators that provided $4 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat avian flu and build a stockpile of antiviral drugs that had been in short supply. Obama also refers to legislation he has introduced that would establish guidelines for tracking, controlling and accounting for spent fuel at nuclear power plants and requiring plants to report radioactive leakage.
Competitiveness & Innovation
Obama’s concentrates on improving U.S. competitiveness. Key factors on his agenda include improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce. He also focuses on increasing R&D in energy and improving information technology to encourage faster exchange of ideas and increase transparency in the government. Obama proposes to make the R&D tax credit permanent and to improve the H-1B visa program.
Climate & Energy
Obama has said that he will double basic science and research investment in clean energies and energy efficiency. He also plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the effects of climate change through a market-based cap-and-trade system. He proposes to increase fuel economy standards, invest in bio-fuels, and increase the Renewable Fuel Standard. Obama also proposes that the U.S. re-establish international negotiation of climate change agreements. (Kyoto Protocol)
Former candidate Mitt Romney rejects the Kyoto Protocol … Romney advocates opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Outer Continental Shelf to drilling in order to provide more domestic sources of oil. He does not support international emissions mandates like those of the Kyoto Protocol because he argues that they would be a detriment to the American economy and would “shift manufacturing to the dirtiest developing nations.”
A detriment to the American economy ???
Where is the person that does not see climate change as a detriment to the American economy, but sees it from the position of “World Citizen” or “Life on Planet Earth”? We need a paradigm shift from what is best for ourselves is best for everyone – there’s a Win/Win situation out there – let’s hear about it …
Kyoto Protocol
24 January 2008
Do you find it globally undemocratic that the U.S. refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol, and submit itself as a real world leader by example? Look at the number of U.S. cities and states demonstrating themselves as leaders, along with all of the countries that have already committed and signed the Protocol. I find this position taken by the U.S. wrong, lacking in nobility and courage because the Protocol is fair. What’s really going on here?
