There are a lot of events in a person's life that are gateways into adulthood: graduating from college, first apartment, first real paycheck, etc.
One of those gateways is the first presidential election that you're able to vote in.
I'll be honest - I'm not really politically-minded. I have a hard time following the news reports documenting the debates and I don't quite understand everything they're talking about all the time. But I want to be in-the-know so that, come November, I can make an informed decision in casting my vote for who our next president should be. If you're like me and just need this election laid out for you in simpler terms, here's a quick guide to help you out.
Democratic Party
Political History
First Lady of the United States of America; Secretary of State; Senator from New York.
Stand on Issues
College: universities must provide affordable options for college students; no student should have to go into debt for college.
Second Amendment rights: more in-depth background checks; responsibility is also held by those who provide the guns.
Immigration: keep immigrant families together; create an easier path to citizenship for workers.
Economy and the workforce: cut taxes for hardworking citizens; reform taxes so the wealthy pay "a fair amount”.
Women’s rights and abortion: promises equal pay and rights for women in the workplace; pro-choice.
Healthcare: supports the Affordable Care Act; believes every American deserves basic healthcare at a reasonable cost.
LGBT equality: LGBT Americans should be offered the same rights and equally.
Slogan
Hillary for America
Political History
Mayor of Burlington, Vermont; U.S. House of Representatives; Senator from Vermont.
Stand on Issues
College: make tuition free for public U.S. colleges and universities; taxing Wall Street speculators in order to make this happen.
Second Amendment rights: people have the right to purchase firearms; hold corporations responsible, not manufacturers.
Immigration: make the border secure to protect local communities; offer a reasonable plan to citizenship for immigrates.
Economy and the workforce: increase to $15 minimum wage by 2020; ensure that the top 3 percent of wealthy Americans pay progressive estate tax; create jobs for struggling youth.
Women’s rights and abortion: pro-choice.
Healthcare: streamline healthcare to provide better services for all classes.
LGBT equality: prohibits any discrimination against LGBT people.
Slogan
A Political Revolution Is Coming
Republican Party
Political History
Contributor to the Republican Party.
Stand on Issues
College: wants to rework financing to provide for less college debt.
Second Amendment rights: ensure that the Second Amendment rights are upheld; give increased attention to the mental health care system to ensure that mentally sound people are purchasing firearms.
Immigration: if we allow there to not be a wall at the southern border, we are not serving our citizens or doing them justice; make Mexico pay for the strengthened border.
Economy and the workforce: tax break for the middle-class; make America globally active in the economy.
Women's rights and abortion: pro-life; against public funding for abortion providers.
Healthcare: repeal Obamacare; allow use of Health Savings Accounts.
LGBT equality: believes the Civil Rights Act of 1964 should include LGBT people, but does not agree with same-sex marriage.
Slogan
Make America Great Again
Political History
Solicitor general of Texas; Senator from Texas
Stand on Issues
College: does not have a discernible stance on higher education reform.
Second Amendment rights: the Second Amendment protects the American people and their rights.
Immigration: the border must remain secure in order to abide by the rule of law; increase in border security is a must.
Economy and the workforce: ensure an increase in after-tax income; IRS must be reigned in.
Women's rights and abortion: pro-life; life is a gift from God that we must cherish and defend.
Healthcare: repeal Obamacare; create a system where the government does not come between doctors and patients.
LGBT equality: marriage is meant to be between one man and one woman; opposes same-sex marriage.
Slogan
Reigniting the Promise of America
Marco Rubio
Political History
West Miami City Commission; Florida House of Representatives (speaker of the House); Senator from Florida.
Stand on Issues
College: modernize the higher education system to fit the current needs of the American public; encourage students to pursue higher education.
Second Amendment rights: the Second Amendment is a fundamental American right and should not be opposed; block on the expansion of background checks.
Immigration: enforce immigration laws in the workplace; secure the border with visa-tracking systems.
Economy and the workforce: cut taxes for working Americans; provide workers with more options in regards to paid leave and overtime work.
Women's rights and abortion: pro-life; defending life at all stages.
Healthcare: reduce the government's role in healthcare; repeal Obamacare and replace it with consumer-centered health care.
LGBT equality: not in support of same-sex marriage.
Slogan
A New American Century
Political History
Governor of Ohio; U.S. House of Representatives
Stand on Issues
College: encouraging and working with programs that support earning college credit in high school for a limited cost.
Second Amendment rights: the right to bear arms is a right for all Americans; protects the privacy of concealed carry holders.
Immigration: proposes to seal the border, but immigrates should be allowed to stay if they've been law-abiding.
Economy and the workforce: proposes that open trade is good for the economy; private sector jobs help the economy; cut taxes to free up small-business growth.
Women's rights and abortion: work to fight funding for Planned Parenthood; pro-life.
Healthcare: repeal and replace Obamacare; support episode-based payments; patient-centered primary care.
LGBT equality: opposes same-sex marriage.
Slogan
K for US
*Views and opinions taken from official candidate websites and interviews. These views and opinions are not the only ones supported by the candidates, merely they are what the author has chosen to focus on.
