Social Issues

Gun Control

Obama's position on gun control is that guns should be highly restricted and regulated. Back during his terms as an illinois senator, he supported the Assault Weapons Ban, the infamous chicago handgun ban,  is against concealed carry legislation, and ran for his first term promising to reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban. Just recently in the wake of the Colorado shooter, he came out as saying that while guns should be allowed for self defense, "American citizens do not need AK-47s. They belong on the battlefield and not on the streets of America." However, he has tried to dodge the issue recently, and reluctantly passed a bill allowing open carry of firearms in national parks as a federal regulation.

Mitt Romney is currently running on pro second amendment sentiment, however he also supported the Assault Weapons Ban in Massachusetts. He claims to love to hunt, but only went twice. He went from criticizing the NRA to becoming a life member. But he is running in favor of guns. His actual views are difficult to pinpoint, considering we are on, what, Romney version 23 already? But he is trying to conform to the views of the Republican party to drum up more support for his position. As a senator in Massachusetts, he actually ran as a liberal.

The Libertarian position is to fully allow firearms. Since the views of libertarians tend to involve maximum freedom, the politics surrounding guns are no different. Concealed carry is to be allowed, Assault Weapons Ban to never be instated, abolish the NFA and GCA, among other unreasonable regulations surrounding guns that may intrude on the second amendment. The NFA (Nation Firearms Act of 1934) is a restriction that dictates certain features on guns are not allowed without a tax stamp, and some states choose to outright ban NFA weapons. The GCA (Gun Control Act of 1968) passed restrictions on what guns can be imported. As such, the foreign market for weapons becomes smaller, with perceived pointless restrictions on completely arbitrary features.

- Paul Neyman

Gay Rights

Obama: The president supports same sex marriage. He says that same sex couples should have the right to get married.  In an interview, the president said “At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” He feels that everyone should have the right to marry whoever they want, despite they are gay. He was the first president of the United States to legalize gay rights and many also support him.

Romney: Governor Romney's views on marriage have changed since he first entered politics in 1994. He has gone from declaring himself as one of the strongest supporters of gay marriage in 1994 to declaring marriage as between one man and one woman and asserting that he would seek a federal marriage amendment.

Libertarian: They feel that same sex marriage should be allowed. They have a motto which says “Minimum government, Maximum Freedom.” This basically means that people should have free choice. They should be able to make whatever choice they want and that the government should not be able to interfere with them. When New York became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage, the liberal press couldn't wait to announce whose support proved pivotal.

 - Harry Khachatryan

Abortion

Obama's Views - Obama's abortion policy includes enabling contraceptives to be free and available to women enrolled in workplace health plans. Obama is pro choice and accuses Romney of being cloudy on his stance on abortion.

Romney's Views - At first Romney had stated he wanted to cut funding for "Planned Parenthood" and appoint Supreme Court justices that support his cause. His views were later changed stating that he had no plans for limiting abortion rights to women. Obama took this into consideration and pressured him on this topic. Overall opinion of women tend to favor the President, because they feel Mitt Romney cannot be trusted.

Libertarian's view on abortion is that it's not the government's decision, it's the woman's decision to choose how to have her birth, and whether or not she chooses to have an abortion. They realize it's a sensitive issue, and should be left entirely up to the woman. Libertarian's tend to feel that all decisions regarding someone's freedoms or life should be declared by that person, not the government or state.

- Pietro Dolcimascolo

Immigration

Obama's stance on immigration was to halt the deportation of young undocumented immigrants. At first, he enacted the DREAM act, which granted permanent residency to any law abiding immigrant who has graduated from high school, has a GED or has served in the US military. However it got blocked on numerous accounts, and Obama then introduced the Deferred action, which closely resembles the dream act. Immigrants can apply for a work permit, and protection from deportation for two years if they have arrived in the USA before the age of 16 and have stayed at least 5 years. Similarities between deferred action and the DREAM act is that immigrants have to have a high school diploma or a GED, or have served for at least two years in the military. They also cannot have a criminal record of any kind.

Romney's stance on immigration is "Self deportation" He said he would keep Obama's two year deferred action plan, but afterwards, self deportation will take place. Self deportation is when an immigrant finds it so difficult to find work here, they leave the US by choice, therefore deporting themselves. He would make the life of an average immigrant so hard, by making it near impossible to study, get into universities and just finding a job. He would tighten border control to prevent people from getting into the US.

Ron Paul's position on immigration is to end all benefits, any benefits to immigrants who came in illegally. Birthright citizenship will be eliminated, meaning undocumented immigrants who have children here won't automatically gain citizenship. He wants to shut down the border completely and prevent any immigrants from entering. Anyone who overstays their visa would be tracked down and deported.

 - Rasheeda Alia Eskak