Dem's Da Laws...

Sen. Hillary Clinton - Democrat
(Born October 26, 1947) Attorney, professor
War authorization: Voted for war authorization, but believes that vote was a mistake based on faulty information provided by the White House. Now calls for withdrawal of US troops. (-) Decimate a country, remove a dictator, then bounce? Wham, bam, no thank you 'mam.

Security/liberties: Clinton supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 83% in 2005-2006, 78% in 2003-2004, 60% in 2001-2002. Clinton supported the interests of the American Security Council 20 percent in 2003-2004 and supported the interests of the Center for Security Policy 28 percent in 2003-2004. On 03/02/2006 voted for the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization. On 12/16/2005 voted against USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization. On 07/14/2005 voted for Disclosure of Classified Information Amendment. On 10/06/2004 voted for National Intelligence Reform Act. On 10/25/2001 voted for USA Patriot Act. The flip flopping on the PATRIOT Act worries me. (+) I wonder how long it took to come up with an acronym that spells out PATRIOT? It's as much about selling the law as "American" as it is about infringing on Americans rights.

Social Security: Opposes privatizing. Clinton supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.

(-) I know it's necessary to carry to older vote, but using the government to funnel my money to retirees without knowing if there will be anything left when it's my turn...better up the 401K...

Stem cell research: Voted for HR 810: Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005.

(+) If conservativism is standing in the way of curing cancer and other diseases...

Same sex issues: Voted against constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. Supports gay domestic partnership benefits.

(+) ...not that there's anything wrong with that...

Trade issues: Supported the interests of the CATO Institute (free trade advocates) 50% in 2003-2004 and 17% and 2001-2002.

(o) No opinion at the moment. I like the idea of free trade, but not at the expense of the domestic economy.

Budget issues: The balanced budget advocates, the Concord Coalition, gave Senator Clinton a rating of 58% in the most recent rating (2001-2002).

(-) just because...58% is still failing...
Business & labor issues: Supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 35% in 2005.

(-) In my limited dealing with the Chamber of Commerce, their agenda seemed reasonable, I'd like to see greater support.

Abortion issues: Pro-choice.

(+)

Capital punishment: Advocates the death penalty.

(-) Crapital Punishment. Does it really cost more to execute someone rather than keep them in prison for life? I wonder what the mentality of someone on death row is, especially if they are wrongfully convicted...

Marijuana: Does not favor legalizing marijuana.

(-) I know, first thought is, pothead. But marijuana is arguably less dangerous than alcohol, and actually has medicinal properties. It doesn't damage your liver, or have a "disease" (alcoholism) associated with it. Drink responsibly - thanks Anheuser-Busch? Smoke responsibly. The only positive that alcohol brings to society is as a disinfectant, the rubbing kind. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying weed isn't worse. The fact that it can be legitimately prescribed in California should be the first indicator that it's not so bad.

Gun control: The NRA gives her an F, and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence gives her a 100% rating.

(+) I'm not much of a gun guy, despite my desire to check out the Smith & Wesson gun school. I understand the right to bear arms, but from a personal perspective, I'm not packing, so I'd rather you didn't too.

Minimum wage: Favors increasing the minimum wage.

(+) Who does that really help? the 15-16 year olds? I recall making minimum wage (shit I'm not doing much better now) at $5.15 and that was a dozen + years ago. People will be taken advantage of either way. But let's throw the kids a bone...

Health care: She supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 80% in 2005 and 100% of the time in 2004.

(+) I don't have health insurance. Sure, I could have opted for COBRA, but I like to live dangerously...

Prescription drugs: In 2005 voted for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Amendment and Prescription Drug Plan Amendment.

(+) mmmm prescription drugs...tend to make me vomit. I'm lucky I can get Claritin O.T.C..

Environmental issues: Environmental groups have given her ratings in 90's and 100%.

(+) I won't hug a tree, but I'll give it a nod. I won't hesitate to take down a tiger at the zoo though.

Immigration issues: Clinton supported the interests of the American Immigration Lawyers Association 88 percent in 2006. She supported the interests of the U.S. Border Control 8 percent in 2005-2006. She supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2005. Supports amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aiens as guestworkers.

(+) Might be hypocritical if I didn't support this...but then again, wouldn't we all?

Education issues: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton slammed private-school voucher proposals yesterday, predicting that vouchers would eventually lead to the creation of taxpayer-financed white supremacist academies - or even a government-funded "School of the Jihad." Clinton, a longtime voucher foe who earned the backing of the city teachers union in 2000, says government financing of sectarian groups would incite ethnic and religious conflict - and encourage fringe groups to demand government cash to run their schools.

(+) Wow...I think...

+/- Total: +5

Since I've already pretty much stated my opinions on these issues, I'll comment only when I feel it is necessary.

Sen. Barack Obama - Democrat
(Born August 4, 1961) Attorney, lecturer.
War authorization: As a state senator, he spoke out against Iraq war, before the war started. Has long favored a phased withdrawal.

(-) At least steadfast but with high potential to leave Iraq in turmoil.

Security/liberties: He voted against and later for bills to reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. "Let me be clear: this compromise is not as good as the Senate version of the bill, nor is it as good as the SAFE Act that I have cosponsored. I suspect the vast majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same way. But, it's still better than what the House originally proposed. This compromise does modestly improve the PATRIOT Act by strengthening civil liberties protections without sacrificing the tools that law enforcement needs to keep us safe." --February 16, 2006 Source. Obama supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 83 percent in 2005-2006. "Senator Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strength chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness." -Campaign site

(+) The waters are muddy, but I like the overall flavor.

Social Security: Senator Obama supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 100 percent in 2005.

(-)

Stem cell research: Supports federally funded stem cell research.

(+) Federally Funded?

Same sex issues: Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality.

(-) What's the difference? Marriage or Civil Union? Potato - PoTAHto...

Trade issues: Has a mixed voting record of trade issues. Voted for free trade agreement with Oman. Voted against implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. In 2005-2006 USA Engage gave Senator Obama a rating of C. "USA*ENGAGE promotes responsible alternatives to sanctions that actually advance US humanitarian and foreign policy goals, such as intensified US diplomacy and multilateral cooperation."

(o)

Budget issues: "Senator Obama voted against the most recent effort to raise the national debt limit. The current national debt has exceeded $8.6 trillion dollars, and nearly $4 trillion of that debt is now held by foreign governments. Our national debt and annual budget deficits effectively tax all Americans by adding to the amount of interest paid to service U.S. borrowing." Source Obama supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 6 percent in 2005.

(+)

Business & labor issues: Obama supported the interests of the National Federation of Independent Business 12 percent in 2005-2006. "Sen. Obama regularly supports legislation that we support. There have been no votes in the Senate on legislation we track, therefore our system may have reported 0% simply because no votes were cast. His actual support of NAGC issues is 100%." - J.R. Claeys, President, National Association of Government Contractors He supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 39 percent in 2005. He supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 93 percent in 2005. He supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 92 percent in 2005.

(o)

Abortion issues: Obama supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2006. Obama supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006. Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.

(+)

Capital punishment: Obama says the death penalty "does little to deter crime" but he supports it for cases in which "the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage." As as state senator, Obama worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases. Source

(+)

Marijuana: Famously admitted to using illegal drugs in his book. On the issue of medicinal marijuana, Obama said that if the "best way to relieve pain and suffering is through medicinal marijuana," then it's something he's open to. Source

(+)

Gun control: Obama supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2005. Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2004, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Senator Obama a grade of F (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F).

(+)

Minimum wage: Voted for increases in the minimum wage.

(+)

Health care: "Too many hard-working Americans cannot afford their medical bills, and health-related issues are the number one cause for personal bankruptcy. Promoting affordable, accessible, and high-quality health care is a priority for Senator Obama." -Campaign site

(+)

Prescription drugs: "To help lower the cost of prescription drugs, Senator Obama has supported efforts to allow American seniors to purchase prescription drugs in Canada and bring them back to the U.S. He also has supported giving Medicare the ability to negotiate lower drug prices."

(+)

Environmental issues: Obama supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent in 2005. Obama supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 88 percent in 2005. Obama supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 95 percent in 2005.

(+)

Immigration issues: Obama supported the interests of the American Immigration Lawyers Association 88 percent in 2006. Obama supported the interests of the U.S. Border Control 8 percent in 2005-2006. Obama supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2005. Supports amnesty/permanent legalization for illegal aliens and temporary legalization for illegal aliens as guestworkers.

(+)

Education issues: Opposes vouchers.

(+)

+/- Total: +10

At the moment, I appear to align more on the issues with Obama than Clinton. Given that I am feeling lazy, I will not do this for Edwards until he becomes more relevant in the Democratic primaries.

Republicans to come...