On Funding higher education-
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Plans to consolidate financial aid programs to help students understand if they’re eligible for aid, according to McCain’s campaign Web site.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
Plans to create a tax credit which would make the first $4,000 of a college education, two-thirds of the total cost of tuition at an average public institution and all tuition at a community college free, according to Obama’s campaign Web site.
On Alternative energy
McCain
Plans to give $2 billion each year to clean coal technologies and build 45 nuclear power plants by 2030.
Obama
Plans to make 10 percent of U.S. electricity come from renewable sources by 2012, develop cleaner coal technology and make constructing the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline a priority.
On Dealing with economic problems
McCain
Plans to decrease dependency on foreign oil and have a gas tax holiday in the summer so that gas prices will go down and families will have extra spending money. He also plans to cut the corporate tax rate by 10 percent help stop companies from cutting jobs.
Obama
Plans to jump start the economy with $50 billion. Half of that money will go toward a state growth plan to prevent cuts in health, education and housing, and the other half will go toward a jobs and growth fund to stop decreases in road maintenance and school repairs.
On Security of student loans and mortgages
McCain
Plans to get officials to anticipate student loan problems. He also plans to allow homeowners to trade a mortgage for a manageable loan that reflects the market value of their home.
Obama
Plans to make firms in the mortgage industry accountable by increasing funding for law enforcement programs and creating penalties for those found guilty of fraud.
On Troops in Iraq
McCain
Plans to keep troops in Iraq to develop the Iraqi government and economy.
Obama
Plans to end the war by withdrawing troops based on agreements between military officers stationed there and the Iraqi government.
Reach Christina Howerton at news@chherald.com.
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