Barack Obama: Platform for the 2008 Presidency

Barack Obama, one of the leading Democratic candidates for the 2008 US Presidency, promises a new beginning to the American people. His platform rests upon tremendous change in the United States and upon the establishment of a new path for the American government. Here is Obama's platform for the 2008 election on the most central issues in the United States today, according to the Boston Herald.

Education
1. He opposes vouchers being used at private schools because he believes they undermine public schools.
2. Calls for higher pay for teachers and pay based on merit as well.

Healthcare
Fully supports a universal health care plan and has stated that we require a plan with "everybody in, nobody out. A single-payer health care plan, a universal health care plan."

Taxes
1. Proposed an $80 million dollar tax cut for the poor and middle class
2. Spoke out against estate tax cuts

Budget Deficit
1. Eliminate tax credits that are no longer useful
2. Clost corporate tax loophole
3. Restore the PAYGO policy, which does not allow federal spending without a plan to make up for lost revenue.

Foreign Policy
1. Hopes to bring a "responsible" end to the war in Iraq as soon as possible.
2. Rebuild and construct alliances worldwide in order to battle such problems as global warming
3. Invest in "humanity" by providing foreign aid.
4. Called for an expansion on the United States Armed Forces

Immigration
1. Implement a guest worker program, providing a path towards citizenship for all undocumented workers.
2. Supports granting drivers licenses to illegal immigrants
3. Voted for the Secure Fence Act, which would allow 700 miles of fence to be built along the United States-Mexico border.

Abortion
1. Abortions should be legal according to Roe vs. Wade.
2. Female contraceptives should be covered by health insurance

Gun Control
1. Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic weapons while increasing restrictions on purchasing of firearms.
2. Supports child-safety locks on firearms.