Reader Responses

Barack Obama on the issues:

Iraq: Promises to withdraw most troops within 16 months. Would redeploy some troops to Afghanistan.

Health Care: Require all children to have health insurance. Might fine adults if they don't buy insurance for their children. Would require employers to provide insurance or contribute to the cost but would exempt small businesses. Plan would cost an estimated $50 billion to $65 billion a year. He would pay for it in part by rolling back the Bush tax cuts.

Taxes: Would repeal Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. Would cut taxes by $80 billion a year for workers homeowners and retirees, give credits to working families and eliminate income taxes for elderly workers making $50,000 or less. Would keep the estate tax and raise capital gains taxes to as much as 28 percent.

Immigration: Support a plan for illegal immigrants that includes learning English and paying fines. Would toughen penalties for employers who hire them. Voted for fence along Mexican border but the idea needs to be reviewed. Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Abortion Rights: Supports.

Gay Marriage: Opposes same sex marriage but supports civil unions. Opposes a constitutional ban.

Education: Proposes an $8 billion plan for preschool and teacher pay, and a $4,000 college tax credit for community service.

Social Security: Supports a bipartisan commission. Says higher payroll taxes on upper wage earners are probably the best option. Would lift the $102,000 cap on payroll taxes. Opposes benefits cuts or raising the retirement age. Information from The Dallas Morning News March 2, 2008.

Let's see how many times he changes his mind. As for change ... that about all the American people will have left in their pockets, if that.