Presidential round-up: A quick voter’s guide

Next Tuesday, it’ll be time to hit the voting polls and pick a new president. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide to the top four presidential candidates on Michigan’s ballot (according to the Michigan Voter’s Guide pamphlet published by the League of Women Voters), their top three goals and their stances on some of the more controversial issues.

Donald Trump – Republican Party

Trump’s top three goals listed in the Michigan Voter’s Guide are to make the U.S. a world leader again, foster economic growth through things like energy and trade reform and create “Constitutional limits for the government.”

  • Immigration – Trump’s plans include building a wall on the border of Mexico and “keeping immigration levels within historic norms,” in order to put the American worker first.
  • Jobs – Trump wants to increase the U.S.’s gross domestic product, or GDP to create more jobs. He also wants to implement a “pro-growth” tax plan, which would give tax cuts to Americans at all income levels.
  • Health Care – Trump plans to do away with the Affordable Care Act if he’s elected. Once he does that, he plans to work with Congress to create a system that gives patients health care choices.
  • Finances – Trump says he’ll revise tax laws, decreasing taxes for middle class and keeping the wealthy paying a good amount, but not so much that it hurts jobs or competition.

Hillary Clinton – Democratic Party

Clinton’s top three goals are to grow the economy, lessen the influence of “big-money in American politics,” and create safe partnerships with other countries, according to the Michigan Voter’s Guide.

  • Immigration – Clinton plans to restructure the immigration system to provide an easier path to citizenship and treat immigrants better by keeping families together that would be separated by deportation.
  • Jobs – Clinton intends to raise minimum wage, require companies to give back tax breaks they’ve received if they send jobs overseas, and “make certain that corporations, the wealthy, and Wall Street pay their fair share.”
  • Health Care – Clinton plans to defend the Affordable Care Act and extend its reach, while also making reforms to lower the costs of copays, deductibles and prescription drugs.
  • Finances – Clinton wants to create a fair tax system and expand public transportation options, among other things. She also intends to make college debt-free and allow existing student loans to be refinanced.

Gary Johnson – Libertarian Party

According to the Michigan Voter’s Guide, Johnson’s top three goals are to make a balanced budget within his first 100 days, bring some of the troops back home and liberalize trade and the economy.

  • Immigration – Johnson wants to provide incentives for immigrants to pay taxes and assimilate into the country. He hopes to create a “more efficient system of providing work visas [and] conducting background checks.”
  • Jobs – Johnson believes that there should be fair government regulation of the tax environment. He wants to get rid of “unnecessary laws” and allow for job growth.
  • Health Care – Though Johnson does not have any health care plan listed on his website, he is not in support of the Affordable Care Act.
  • Finances – Johnson says he will provide Congress with a balanced budget and veto any deficit spending while in office.

Jill Stein – Green Party

According to the Michigan Voter’s Guide, Stein’s top three goals are to create climate-friendly jobs, eliminate unemployment and practice “true democracy” while in office.

  • Immigration – Stein wants to “create a welcoming path to citizenship for immigrants.” This will include not deporting or detaining law-abiding undocumented immigrants, demilitarizing the border and repealing NAFTA.
  • Jobs – Stein says she’ll create more union-forming rights and “create living-wage jobs for every American who needs work,” which she says would replace unemployment offices.
  • Health Care – Stein plans to establish a “Medicare for All” plan and provide more access to reproductive and contraceptive care.
  • Finances – Stein wants to cut spending on the military. She plants to provide tax cuts for the poor and middle class, while raising taxes for the rich.