Binders Full of Issues

Glued to your seat as the presidential election unfolds?

We are too.

Dubbed the “women’s election,” the top three issues affecting women this election season are healthcare, taxes and the economy. That’s according to Angela Ledford, associate professor of political science at Albany’s College of Saint Rose.

Even the candidates acknowledge how important female issues are to their campaigns – the word “women” was uttered 30 times during the second presidential debate.

So where do the camps stand on the issues? Here’s a brief roundup:

For women, healthcare is of particular interest. We’re expected to live longer than men and must consider provisions for healthcare as we age. Plus, women are concentrating on reproductive health rights.

Democrats are proposing to bolster healthcare by further implementing the Affordable Care Act, dubbed ‘Obamacare,’ after President Barack Obama. The law was passed in 2010 and calls upon states to expand Medicaid.

The Republican camp, led by Governor Mitt Romney, proposes repealing the Affordable Care Act in favor of state governments being able to regulate the local insurance markets and caring for the poor, uninsured, and chronically ill.

Taxes for individuals and businesses have also been a hot button item. Republicans have put forward provisions for making cuts in taxes for all Americans. Obama recommends increasing income taxes on the top 2 percent of earners, while continuing with tax cuts for the rest of the population.

For women who have been the hardest hit by the economic crisis, these elections are likely to be swayed by economic policies, says Ledford. Job creation has been at the forefront of both campaigns.

While all issues are critical to both genders, women are estimated to make up a larger voter base than men in the coming election.

Bonus PINK Link: Here’s why the female vote counts.

Which issues are you considering before casting your vote?

By Sonya Washington

“Democracy is not a spectator sport.”
Marian Wright Edelman