Domestic Policy

Domestic policy is the overwhelming political theme this year, even though our country has been at war for six and a half years. Initially, many of the presidential candidates were foot stomping the two wars. They quickly moved to discuss the economy following many polls that indicated American’s are more concerned with the economy and domestic policy.

Last week an additional domestic policy issue was in the spotlight; gasoline taxes. Each candidate has distinct differences on this stance, but it still comes down to what the American people want. Do we want a gas tax holiday, flat gas tax, or a temporary suspension on gas tax? Obama’s idea is to use a windfall profits tax on oil companies to help low-income families pay their energy bills, while both Clinton and McCain would opt for a variation of a gas tax holiday. Obama recently labeled Clinton’s idea as a “political scheme” that would save the average driver $25 to $28. However, Obama voted for a similar bill in 2000 when he was in the Illinois legislature, but now claims the lessons of that Illinois tax holiday influenced his decision to oppose a national tax holiday.