Change.  That’s what America wants after eight years of George W. Bush, and after almost 40 non-stop years of Republican domination.

Let’s make this historic campaign one that’s about ideas.  Rather than go on and on about polls, lapel pins, and cones of silence, let’s instead look at the proposals each candidate is running on.  From now until November, it’s all about the issues.

Each week, your Important Blog will take up one of the issues in the campaign and compare the positions of the candidates.  This week, it’s the economy and taxes.

The differences between McCain and Obama on tax policy are stark.

McCain and Obama Tax Proposals Compared

McCain would bring four more years of the same Bush/Republican policies that have squeezed the middle class while protecting the wealthiest of the wealthy.  His top economic advisers have lobbied for abusive finance companies like Countrywide.  So, it’s no surprise that McCain’s tax policy rewards the richest 0.1% of Americans the most.

McCain cuts taxes the most for people making more than $2.87 Million per year.  Obama cuts taxes the most for people making less than $19,000 per year.  The plans are exactly opposite: Obama helps the least well off, McCain helps the most well off.

Obama’s plan cuts taxes overall, while asking the richest 1% of Americans — the top of the top — to pay their fair share.  Obama’s plan will bring shared prosperity, will create jobs, will help to make health care a birthright instead of a luxury, and will protect pensions.  Can we have a better economy?  Yes we can.