Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Currently: 70° — Complete forecast

2008 Elections

Mitt Romney on the Issues

 

(Romney dropped out of the Republican presidential contest on Feb. 7, 2008, following disappointing results in the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday primary contests.)

Abortion
Although he is personally opposed to abortion, he ran both his 1994 U.S. Senate and 2002 gubernatorial campaigns as pro-choice. Romney has said that he changed his mind to pro-life during his term as Massachusetts governor when he began studying whether human stem cells should be used in research. He didn't like the idea of creating new life for experimentation that is used in embryo farming nor did he like that the embryos were destroyed after 14 days. Even though some critics say Romney is flip-flopping to appeal to a conservative base, Romney points to his record as Massachusetts governor in which he always voted on the side of life ... more.

 

Environment and Energy
Through the development of additional forms of renewable energy sources coupled with the increase in our energy efficiency, America can end its dependency on foreign oil and clean up the environment. He plans to put America on an investment track much larger than the $4 billion that the administration currently has alloted to increase research in the renewable energy market. Outside of national efforts, Romney looks to align America with China and other countries to create a global movement toward energy efficiency and environmental protection ... more.

 

Foreclosures
Romney has said in interviews that he agrees with President Bush’s plan to provide the Federal Housing Administration the power to help some homeowners get their mortgages refinanced at level rates. He said the Federal Reserve’s actions will allow continued activity in the credit markets and keep the subprime mortgage problems from expanding to hurt more of the economy ... more.

 

Health Care
Mitt Romney's vision of extending health care to everyone is one in which states implement programs for health care as opposed to a federally mandated health care system or raising taxes. Romney believes that through providing primary care to people, larger, more expensive health care problems can be avoided. As he did in his own state of Massachusetts when he was governor from 2002-2006, Romney would implement market reforms that would drive down health care costs. According to Romney, the costs would fluctuate depending upon each state's planned proposal. As incentive, Romney's health care plan would allow those that purchase their own health insurance to deduct premiums, deductibles and co-payments form their income ... more.

 

Iraq
Romney told Human Events in a December 2006 interview that the U.S. invasion of Iraq has not gone as smoothly as the government had hoped for, but that he believes that progress is happening. Romney firmly believes that Iraq must be stabilized so that outside influences cannot invade the country and cause civil unrest before any troops can be withdrawn. He believes that it is in America's national security interests to create a strong central government and military rather than divide the country up into smaller sub-states. Without any clear pull out date nor a time table for withdrawal, Romney plans for standby troop support in and around Iraq for some time citing Iraq's presence in context to what's happening in the Middle East and around the world ... more.

 

Immigration
In order to end the continuing flow of illegal immigration, Romney believes that our borders must be strengthened and that the allure of accessible employment must be stopped. He is in favor of a fence along the Mexico-America border in addition to placing troops along the border. Alongside the physical presence of border patrolling, Romney is in favor of an employment verification system for all immigrants without a valid social security number. The card would allow employers to identify whether or not they are legal to hire, putting some of the responsibilities to end illegal immigration onto the employers. Romney does not believe in amnesty or any form of permanent residency for those already in the country illegally...more.

 

Taxes
Romney understands that the current tax structure may not be perfect, but he does not think that throwing it out in exchange for the Fair Tax system that some of his opponents have discussed is sound policy. Instead, Romney proposes that the government is spending too much and believes that changing this is key to tax reform. The tool in which Romney plans to execute this with is the line-item veto - something in which he and Rudy Giuliani disagree. He is in favor of eliminating the tax on personal savings in order to encourage more Americans to put money away, the estate tax and he would make the Bush tax cuts permanent. His campaign, which has been filled with "no tax increase" promises, has been challenged by some Massachusetts businesses, which say that Romney raised taxes in Massachusetts as governor. Romney's camp called these accusations not wholly true, stating that the changes he made in the Massachusetts tax structure were closing tax loopholes and "enforcing" tax law more than they were raising taxes. Still, Romney was the first Republican to sign the pledge not to increase taxes. At the end of an interview with U.S. News & World Report, Romney emphasized what his plan is to keep America's economy on its current path, "Keep our taxes down and our spending down...Deregulate, deregulate, deregulate."... more.

 

Yucca Mountain
Romney has not taken a firm stance on Yucca Mountain. During his first campaign visit to Las Vegas in August, Romney said he understands that Nevadans have a lot to say on the issue and would never do anything to put these citizens in harm’s way. He said he would have to look at all available data regarding the plan to store nuclear waste in the mountain before making a decision. Former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, an adamant opponent of the Yucca Mountain project, is endorsing Romney. After Romney took his noncommittal position, Guinn said he believes Romney will look at the issue, spend more time with Nevadans and make “a decision that he’ll be very proud of.” ... more

 

— Las Vegas Sun interns Jenna Kohler and April Corbin and new media managing editor Dave Toplikar compiled this report.

Email Newsletters

To view/update your newsletter subscriptions and interests, please visit our Preference Center.

The Sun

Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.