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Condensing the candidates, issues

This is the time of the year when we look forward to warmer weather, flowers blooming and planting vegetable gardens. We dust off the golf clubs, practice our putting strokes, and hit wiffle balls in the back yard. But it appears the political pundits and presidential candidates have taken some of the joy out of what should be a time of easing into these regular spring rituals.

New York voters will go to the polls on April 19 to cast their ballot for the presidential candidate of their choice.

There are three GOP candidates. John Kasich, two-term Ohio governor, and according to pollsters doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of winning the nomination; Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas who single-handedly shut down the government while reading from Dr. Seuss’, “Green Eggs and Ham”; and Donald Trump, a businessman who can easily claim the label of “Teflon Don;” nothing sticks to him; not even his comments about allowing Japan and South Korea to have nuclear weapons or punishing women for having an abortion.

There are two on the Democratic ticket. Bernie Sanders is a self proclaimed Socialist who is actually an Independent, but he registered as a Democrat so he could run on the Democratic ticket for POTUS. He has a consistent message; the biggest problem facing America is global warming.

Hillary Clinton has her own set of issues. As first lady, senator, and secretary of state, she is without a doubt the most knowledgeable about foreign policy; she knows how Washington works from the inside out; and it doesn’t look like her email problems are going to cause her much of a headache.

So let’s talk issues. In the interest of time and space, I will limit my focus.

National security/Immigration: Kasich believes that in order to defeat ISIS, the U.S. will eventually have to put combat troops on the ground; he remains skeptical about the deal with Iran. As for immigration, he has flip-flopped. At one time he said undocumented immigrants who otherwise follow the law should be allowed to gain legal status. He has also said he prefers a legal status that does not lead to citizenship, and opposes any legal status for undocumented immigrants; he is on record of saying he would no longer grant U.S. citizenship to children born in the country to undocumented aliens.

Trump, on the subject of Iran said we, “should have walked away from the table once Tehran reportedly rejected the idea of sending enriched uranium to Russia.” He has said that putting boots on the ground is not out of the question, and he would not hesitate to send U.S. ground troops to target oil-rich areas. As for the issue of immigration, he has been steadfast – build a wall and let Mexico pay for it; round up and send all illegal immigrants back to where they came from; no more anchor-babies; freeze green cards. And, ban all Muslims from entering the United States, at least temporarily

Cruz is on record of saying that in addition to an increase in sanctions on Iran, he would use overpowering force including “carpet-bombing” of ISIS. When it comes to immigration, he has made many contradictory statements. He told PBS that he would block any current effort that lets undocumented immigrants legally remain in the U.S. He has said he doesn’t believe in amnesty, but sponsored a bill in favor of some form of amnesty; who really knows given his history on this topic.

Bernie Sanders calls for troop withdrawal as soon as possible from Afghanistan and Iraq and has come out strongly for the U.S. to focus less on international conflict and more on the domestic needs of the middle class. Sanders, he’s Jewish, has stated publicly that he supports the current deal with Iran, and was critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress; he did not attend the speech. Bernie’s position on immigration is straight and to the point, he says he would fight for comprehensive immigration reform and will not wait for Congress to act. He has promised Executive action on this issue.

Hillary has affirmed her commitment to a two-state solution in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. In a move away from Obama’s position, Hillary has called for the U.S. to return to a more constructive footing in the region and a more positive working relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Although she supported the framework for the nuclear deal with Iran, she has also called for a continuation of diplomacy efforts as well as sanctions. A problem, however, when it comes to ISIS, she still hesitates to refer to the murderous regime as Radical Islamic Terrorists, and has said she would not put U.S. boots on the ground; rather she would form a coalition of regional allies in the area to do the actual combat. Clinton says that the U.S. should provide air support to fight the Islamic state.

When it comes to immigration, Hillary believes in the need for a comprehensive immigration policy. She would continue DACA and DAPA programs to waive deportation and expand them. Give undocumented residents a path to legal status.

Education: Kasich has defended Common Core; Trump and Cruz would end it, and Bernie would give everyone free education from kindergarten through college by increasing taxes on the wealthy and some Wall Street transactions. Hillary has what she refers to as a “New College Compact” making community college free. Her method of paying for this is by closing “yet-unspecified tax loopholes for the wealthy.”

Healthcare: Kasich, Trump and Cruz will repeal and replace Obamacare; Sanders, who claims to be one of the architects of the ACA, would expand it by lowering premiums and increasing taxes on the middle class. Hillary says she would review, revise, and improve it by lowering premiums, co-pays, deductibles and the costs of prescription drugs.

Vote April 19 – our country depends on it.

Have a great day.

Vicki Westling is a Dunkirk resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com

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