Barack Obama wants to provide more government stimulus rebates, provide $10 billion to states hit hardest by the housing crisis and expand unemployment benefits. He wants reduce taxes for "working families" and eliminate taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 anually. He supports fair trade and labor groups.
John McCain wants to suspend federal taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for the summer, and create a federal mortgage plan. He wants to stop all non-defense, non-veterans discretionary (optional) spending for one year to review spending practices and use "savings from victory" in Afghanistan and Iraq to reduce national debt.
Barack Obama wants to increase federal funding for early childhood education and No Child Left Behind (K-12) as well as "ensure the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans." He also wants to improve teacher retention. No specific funding plan is included.
John McCain wants education to be dictated by parents by allowing them to choose what school their children ("and the dollars associated with them") will attend. No other specifics for this plan are provided.
Barack Obama wants to reduce pollution by setting a government cap on emissions and requiring companies to trade allowances to pollute through auction. Some money generated through this will go to a plan of investing $150 billion in alternative energy options - a way to reduce America's oil use.
John McCain wants to increase oil and natural gas exploration in America, provide money for companies to create alternative fuel options, and change tax and tariff policies on several energy products. He supports a government cap for pollution, but provides no specific funding plan for these measures.
Barack Obama proposes several ways to make bills and lobbying efforts available to the American public. Most include creating public databases that can be accessed through the Internet and time requirements that give the public an opportunity to review ongoing government actions.
John McCain will "see to it that the institutions of self-government are respected pillars of democracy, not commodities to be bought, bartered, or abused." He says he has "fought the good fight" against practices that alienate the public from its elected officials.
Barack Obama wants to give coverage to every American. For those who already have health insurance, he wants lower existing costs by investing $10 billion to upgrade technology for medical records and create more government control across the health care industry. No specific funding plan is provided.
John McCain wants to use industry competition and work with states to reduce costs and increase the portability of health care. He supports a government $2,500-$5,000 tax credit to offset costs to individuals and families. He says he will "develop a strategy" for long-term care. No funding specifics are provided.
Barack Obama supports additional "personnel, infrastructure and technology" on America's borders and ports, a crackdown on undocumented workers, a path to citizenship for immigrants in "good standing" and a partnership with Mexico. He provides no specifics.
John McCain wants to first secure America's borders by providing more funding and government oversight, and requiring border-state governors to certify security. Once borders are secured, he will address employers and temporary worker programs.
Barack Obama wants to remove combat forces in 16 months. He will leave a "residual force" in the country as well as increase diplomatic pressures toward the Iraqi government and Middle East governments in general to create some level of peace agreements in the region.
John McCain stands behind his support for the troop surge. He believes that a continuing American presence will help Iraq improve its economy that leaders must make "more progress." He wants more international pressure on Syria and Iran, and "honesty" with the American people.
Barack Obama wants to "rebuild" the armed forces by increasing the size of the Army and Marines, creating a "Military Families Advisory Board" and ending stop-loss. He supports missle defense, preservation of air and sea defense programs, and more alliances. No funding plan is provided.
John McCain wants to increase the size of and "modernize" the armed forces. He wants regular funding of the military rather than "emergency" supplements and increased benefits for military personnel and their families. He provides no other specifics or funding requirements.
Barack Obama wants a $250,000 payment limitation and stronger government regulation on big farming companies. He supports a country-of-origin food label program and tax incentives to encourage young farmers.
John McCain wants a $250,000 payment limitation and broader international trade for agriculture exports. He supports marketing healthier diets and opposes federal requirements for corn ethanol production.
Barack Obama wants to increase government oversight and regulation of chemical plant security and used nuclear fuel, and give $37.5 million over five years to drinking water systems to upgrade security and monitoring - all intended to prevent attacks.
John McCain "will ensure that the war against terrorists is fought intelligently, with patience and resolve, using all instruments of national power. He will lead this fight with the understanding that to impinge on the rights of our own citizens or restrict the freedoms for which our nation stands would be to give terrorists the victory they seek."
Barack Obama wants to reverse a 2003 law that created an income cap for veterans to enroll in VA healthcare plans, enacted to cut costs. He also wants to improve the efficiency and speediness of the VA, but does not provide a specific plan for funding this.
John McCain says he is committed to veterans' affairs, including improving health care, active benefits and retirement benefits. He cites his past work as a senator on veterans' legislation. No specifics or funding plans to enact these improvements and/or changes is included.
John McCain lists the following issues not covered by both candidates, the sanctity of life, judicial philosophy, national heritage, and space program.