Where the US Presidential Candidates Stand on Tech Issues

[OhioChick]

Monday, October 20, 2008 11:50 AM PDT

The 2008 presidential election gives CIOs and other IT executives a choice of two major-party candidates who are interested in technology-related issues. While the U.S. economy and the war in Iraq have dominated the debate between Republican nominee Senator John McCain and Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama, they have also hit on such IT hot buttons as telecommunications and tech jobs.

Both senators bring tech experience to the race, although the experience is significantly different. Obama has had relatively little legislative experience related to technology, but he's a self-described text-messaging addict who released a lengthy tech policy paper last November. McCain admits he doesn't spend much time with computing devices, saying he relies on his wife's help with computers. But he's also a long-time member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the panel that debates and votes on much of the tech-related legislation that goes through the Senate.

Here's a look at the candidates' stances on five issues of interest to the nation's IT leaders: telecommunications, national security, privacy, IT jobs and innovation.

More: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/152505/where_the_us_presidential_candidates_stand_on_tech_issues.html

~Snip~ IT Jobs

Outsourcing: Obama wants to end tax breaks for companies that ship U.S. jobs overseas. McCain opposes efforts to restrict U.S. agencies from outsourcing some services.

Math and science education: Both candidates have called for an increased focus on training U.S. students and workers for 21st-century jobs. Both have called for programs that increase the number of students studying math and science. McCain wants more money for retraining U.S. workers. Obama wants to improve U.S. schools' curricula and supply schools with computers and broadband.

H1-B visas: McCain says U.S. workers should have the first chance for high-paying tech jobs, but he has also called for an increase in the number of H-1B foreign-worker visas.

Obama questions the need for more H-1B visas, but he's also called for reform of immigration programs, including ways for immigrants to become permanent residents.

[4lbs]

1. Add in that many IT workers earn less than $250,000 annually and would get a tax cut under Obama.

They would also have easier access to health care insurance under Obama.

[OhioChick]

2. I would say that MOST

IT workers earn less than $250,000 annually. To be honest, I know of no one making anywhere near 250K annually.

[ChromeFoundry]

4. Unless the IT worker is extremely specialized...

or is at a C-Level (which is an executive and not an "IT worker")... They are not making 250K/yr. You'd be hard pressed to find any many making 150K/yr. except for highly specialized consultants.

Look at a IT salary survey... that figure is way way out of range!

[4lbs]

5. I agree. Before branching out on my own (Hey! I'm a small business owner!), I worked for a small

company as it's IT Manager. I was earning, at my height, "only" $84,000.

[ChromeFoundry]

3. "McCain admits he doesn't spend much time with computing devices..."

those abacuses and slide-rules are so damn complex...

WOW, makes me a little uncomfortable that he is on the Senate Committee that makes decisions on Technology!

[Azlady]

6. K&R

[antigop]

7. Kick--- thanks for posting. n/t