In light of the current economic crisis, what needs to happen to ensure American economic stability in the future? âÄúJohn McCain and Sarah Palin will stop earmarks, pork-barrel spending and waste. They have proposed a one-year spending pause in order to evaluate all spending programs. John McCain will veto any pork-barrel project that crosses his desk. John McCain and Sarah Palin will cut taxes on middle class families. They will phase out and eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax, saving a middle class family with children an average of over $2,700. They will also double the personal exemption for dependents.âÄù Can the United States achieve energy independence? If so, what steps do we need to take for that to happen, and how long do you think it will take? âÄúJohn McCain will commit $2 billion annually to advancing clean coal technologies âĦ John McCain will put his administration on track to construct 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030 with the ultimate goal of eventually constructing 100 new plants âĦ John McCain will establish a permanent tax credit equal to 10 percent of wages spent on R&D.âÄù With tuition costs rising, what, if anything, would you do to make college more affordable? âÄúWe have seen significant turmoil in student lending. John McCain has proposed an expansion of the lender-of-last-resort capability of the federal student loan system and will demand the highest standard of integrity for participating private lenders. Effective reforms and leveraging the private sector will ensure the necessary funding of higher education aspirations and create a simpler and more effective program in the process. âÄú What is your stance on gay marriage? âÄúJohn McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing and strengthening communities and our nation.âÄù What is your stance on abortion? âÄúJohn McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench.âÄù What, if anything, would you change about the health care system? âÄúJohn McCain and Sarah Palin will reform the tax code to offer more choices by providing a refundable tax credit ($2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families) to offset the cost of insurance âĦ John McCain and Sarah Palin propose making insurance more portable so that insurance follows Americans from job to job âĦ John McCain and Sarah Palin will encourage and expand the benefits of Health Savings Accounts for families.âÄù How should the United States address the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? âÄúOur goal is an Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood. Our goal is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops, and I believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than many imagine âĦ To promise a withdrawal of our forces from Iraq, regardless of the calamitous consequences to the Iraqi people, our most vital interests, and the future of the Middle East, is the height of irresponsibility. It is a failure of leadership.âÄù