76-01-A3
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Platform B
TranscriptAs I said yesterday the voters in Nov. will have a rare experience. Both parties have stated their philosophys in their platforms. The dif. is there for all to see. I’ll be right back. Yesterday I summarized the Democratic and Republican primaries on the economy, labor, taxes and energy. Today we’ll start with welfare. The Democratic platform calls for federalizing welfare with a guaranteed annual income for both the non-working and working poor. The Repub. platform in direct opposition says “no” to federalization of welfare and to a guaranteed annual income. It calls instead for a strengthening of local and state admin of welfare and the involvement of able bodied recipients in useful community work projects. On abortion; the Democratic platform opposes a Constitutional ban on abortion. The Repub. platform supports the efforts of those who would amend the Constitution to prohibit abortion on demand. On compulsory School bussing the Democrats concede this is a judicial tool of last resort. Republicans declare segregated schools are morally wrong and unconstitutional but oppose forced bussing to achieve racial balance and favor consideration of an amendment to the Constitution, forbidding the assignment of children to school on the basis of race. On the whole subject of education the two platforms are on opposite sides. The Democratic platform wants increased Federal funding and control. The Repub. platform stresses state and local school district control with the Federal government returning tax sources instead of grants to help in funding local education. On gun control the Democratic platform advocates laws to control the manufacture, and distribution and possession of handguns especially the low priced so called “Saturday night specials.” It does uphold the right of sportsmen to own guns for hunting and target practice. The Republican platform supports the right of citizens to keep and bear arms and opposes Federal registration. The Democratic platform proposes a comprehensive national health insurance program in which everyone will be compelled to participate. It would be funded by payroll and general tax revenues. The Republican party is directly opposed to such a program and maintains it would if enacted increase Fed. spending by more than $70 billion a year and require a personal income tax increase of approximately 20%. In the all important field of agriculture the Democratic platform is less specific and generalizes with pledges the for the adoption of an agricultural policy which, “recognizes that our capacity to produce food and fiber is one of our greatest assets.” Again in generalities it speaks of doing more in the way of government loans, health care, transportation and rural development. The Republican platform speaks in general terms of these same points—(services comparable to Urban areas) electricity, telephone service, transportation, available and adequate financial credit and employment opportunities to help to supplement small farmers incomes. Then it specifically opposes government controlled grain reserves and unrealistic regulations imposed by OSHA and EPA. Demands a stronger grain inspection program; A government guarantee of access to the world market; protection against government subsidized foreign produce; labor laws that prevent work stoppages during the critical harvest season; better insurance protection from natural disasters, drought flood etc. and legislation to increase inheritance tax exemption to $200,000 for farms and small businesses. Tomorrow we’ll have one last go at the platforms and how they differ on foreign policy. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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