Every American should have the right to afford a healthcare plan for their family. As a mother of a young child, the healthcare issue impacts our family every day. Since our family is currently uninsured, I strongly favor Tom Allen’s support for a universal healthcare plan. Based on the articles in PortlandPressHerald.com and TomAllen.org, Tom Allen offers healthcare plan which consists of the following features: offer a new Healthy American Program that would give every American a right to own the same insurance plan as the members of Congress get; if a person already owns a health insurance plan, nothing will change; pre-existing conditions will no longer stop an insurance company from coverage; Americans will not have to worry about their location or employment status changing.
The second biggest issue that built my support for the Democratic candidate is the war in Iraq. During the past seven years, this war cost the US over two trillion dollars (Bradbury). Just as Tom Allen, I opposed this war ever since our government decided to send our troops in harm’s way without having enough evidence of Iraq building nuclear and/or biological weapons. On the other hand, Susan Collins voted to authorize the resolution of invasion in Iraq. The US government should set a timeline to bring all American troops home within the next year or two, while Senator Collins thinks that it’s the wrong thing to do (KennebecJournal.MaineToday.com).
Another major issue that I am concerned about is a current state of US economy, inflation, and the increase in gas prices. Tom Allen’s campaign called for an end to tax cuts that benefit large corporations and keep increasing US deficits. Instead, he proposed to offer a similar tax cut to middle and low income working families (The Lewiston Sun Journal).
In addition to the issues described above, an education plan proposed by Tom Allen is very appealing to me. According to the main features of his plan posted on Tom Allen’s website TomAllen.org, it would increase resources available to colleges and ensure that students would receive an adequate amount of federal financial aid. He believes that the more government invests in the young generation of students, the better the outcome. This way, American employers would not have to out source available jobs and instead offer it to US residents. Allen’s plan also expands an education tax cut so that more families can take advantage of it. It reflects a strong support for Mainers’ education. As a college student, I agree with this plan a hundred percent knowing that education provides the opportunity for every citizen to succeed in the workforce.
Despite Tom Allen’s democratic points of view, Susan Collins’ proven record of bipartisanship deserves to be mentioned as well. Based on the statistics posted on WashingtonPost.com, she voted with the members of her party only 67.6% of the time, while Tom Allen voted 98.2%. Susan Collins has missed zero votes during the current Congress, while Tom Allen missed 54 of them. These facts reflect her dedication and reliability. According to PressHerald.MaineToday.com, during Senator Collins’ twelve year career in U.S. Senate, she worked on securing defense-related projects, increasing heating assistance for Mainers, modernizing postal service, strengthening Federal Emergency Management Agency after hurricane Katrina, and requiring Iraqi government to apply its own resources on reconstruction instead of U.S. funds. Thus, I feel that she acted in the interest of the state and nation.
In conclusion, despite Senator Collins’ advantages, I still disagree wit her points of view on the war in Iraq, tax cuts to corporations and her lack of support for universal healthcare plan. The contrasts between the two candidates could not be clearer. Susan Collins has acted in the interest of the President and Republican Party, while Tom Allen consistently stood up to the Bush administration and has always fought for Mainers. He has a record to be proud, and it shows what kind of Senator he will be. Hopefully, if Tom Allen gets elected, he will live up to his words and promises by becoming a fighter for the low and middle class.
Works Cited
“Allen Launches New Ad Too Close.” U.S. Senate Tom Allen.
17 Oct. 2008. 28 Oct. 2008 <>.
Bradbury, Dieter. “Allen, Collins cite differences during their debate for Senate.” Kennebec Journal. 15 Oct. 2008. 28 Oct. 2008 <http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5506532.html>.
Bradbury, Dieter. “Allen, Collins disagree on war, economy, energy.” The Lewiston Sun _ Journal. Lewiston, Me. 9 Oct. 2008: A6
< >.
Carrier, Paul. “Allen offers health-care proposal that's a blend of private and public.” Portland Press Herald Maine Sunday Telegram. 29 May 2008. 27 Oct. 2008 <>.
“Members of Congress / Thomas Allen.” WashingtonPost.com. 28 Oct. 2008
<>.
Moore, T. Martha. “Maine’s Collins remains elusive target for Democrats.
” Election 2008 Information Center. 18 Sept. 2008. 28 Oct. 2008 <http://www.gannettnewsservice.com/?p=2610>.
“Senator Susan Collins deserves a third term.” Portland Press Herald Maine Sunday _ Telegram. 12 Oct. 2008. 28 Oct. 2008 <>.
“Strong public schools, college affordability.” U.S. Senate Tom Allen. 28 Oct. 2008 <>.
“Tom Allen: Democrat.” The Lewiston Sun Journal. Lewiston, Me. 26 Oct. 2008: A10.
ProQuest. 28 Oct. 2008 < >.
“Universal Health Care for every American.” U.S. Senate Tom Allen. 28 Oct. 2008 <>.
