Economics in America

Every four years comes a time many either dread or can't wait for, Presidential Election time. The building hype of whether the same president will be elected or a new one will steer us in the right direction is in the minds of every voter, regardless their political views. Watching debate after debate and listening to the presidential candidates talk about their plan for the next four years, voters pretty much have an idea of who they want in office by the time elections roll around. The forever-impending issue, amongst others, that always makes an appearance at every election is the economy. The economic issues we face range from the debt and deficit to the lack of jobs to tax cuts that will help rebuild the country. Taxes and how much Americans would pay is one of the main points of this election. That is the one of the biggest if not the biggest debate both President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney are dealing with. They both disagree on two things, who will pay the raised taxes and how much the federal government will and should tax (Lauter).

Before heading into the details of the tax plan both parties have, we should look at values both parties hold in order to see their view on the issue. Up for the presidential election are two candidates, current President Barack Obama, Democrat, and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Republican. Not only do their views differ on the issue of taxes but also their political party's views different. Generally the Democratic Party believes in the liberal philosophy, meaning they support "a broader range of social services in America." Republicans on the other hand have more conservative views on things. "Republican philosophy is based on a limited influence of government and a dominant foreign policy" (Democrats vs. Republicans). Most people consider Republicans as more conservative, pro-business, and favor a smaller involvement of government in their lives. On the contrary the Democratic liberal views makes them come across as ‘in favor of the government' and want their involvement "to help people achieve the larger goals of opportunity and equality" (Democrats vs. Republicans). Furthering on the differences between both parties is their views on controversial issues, including their economic ideas. The Democrats generally believe that the people of higher incomes should be taxed higher than the people of the lower and middle class. Republicans disagree with that view. They believe that taxes should not be raised specifically for one economic class but overall, for everyone.

During the debates this issue seemed to be the one of the predominant topics being brought up by both the candidates and the debate accommodators. With America waiting for the answers from both parties, the candidates did the exact opposite. According to Doherty in his article "Presidential Rhetoric… "Own Values?" he claims that when the candidates