McCain? Obama? You Decide!

Teens at Hartford Rally for Obama

McCain and Teens

You’ve heard their names on the radio and TV: John McCain and Barack Obama. You know that in November one of them will become the next president of the United States. But do you know where these candidates stand on issues that especially affect girls? What does Senator McCain have to say about teen pregnancy? Does Senator Obama care about the cost of college? What about the fact that women earn 77 cents for every dollar men make? Here’s the rundown on these senators’ positions.

Reproductive Rights

• McCain wants to overturn Roe v. Wade*. He has voted against (1) funding teen-pregnancy-prevention programs; (2) requiring insurance coverage for prescription birth control; and (3) improving access to emergency contraception.

• Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to increase funding for family planning and sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. He plans to uphold Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose.

Education

• McCain believes that federal education funding should be used to give parents the opportunity to move their children out of failing schools. He has fought hard for lower interest rates on college loans. He suggests that students join the armed forces or Peace Corps to cope with rising education costs.

• Obama’s plan for education focuses on funding after-school initiatives and programs to reduce dropout rates. He supports outreach programs like GEAR UP and Upward Bound which encourage teens from low-income families to prepare for college. If elected, he will try to make college more affordable by creating a credit program to cover up to 2/3 of tuition costs at public colleges and universities.

Pay Equity

• McCain opposes the Fair Pay Restoration Act, which would ensure women equal pay for equal work, because he thinks it will cause too many lawsuits. He says that instead of a law giving women the right to equal pay, they need more education and training. 

• Obama is a co-sponsor of the Fair Pay Restoration Act. He wants the government to enforce the Equal Pay Act, fight job discrimination, and improve child care options and family medical leave.

Get Involved!

If you’re 18 or older, go to Rock the Vote and register to vote. It’s worth it! Not old enough to vote? That’s OK; you can still get the word out about the candidate who supports issues you care about. Visit www.johnmccain.com and www.barackobama.com to learn how to help the candidates’ campaigns. If you aren’t convinced that your voice matters, check out this and this.

*Roe v. Wade: the 1973 court case that legalized abortion in the United States

Sources:
John McCain.com
BarackObama.com
The Moderate Voice
Women for Barack Obama