SPOTLIGHT: Taxes

Reuters/Dave Kaup - The 2008 economic stimulus checks are printed at the Kansas City Regional Financial Center in Kansas City, Missouri
William G. Gale, May 15, 2008
Stimulus checks are a bright note in this year’s tax season. But, William Gale asserts, the annual tax-filing ritual is otherwise complicated and outdated. He recommends that the presidential candidates advocate changes like streamlining tax incentives and allowing some taxpayers to pay without filing returns.
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Taxes, Alternative Minimum Tax, Retirement, Tax Reform
Upcoming Event

Reuters - Dr. John Fung, chief of the transplant surgery division at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, reviews a patient's X-ray.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Cleveland, OH
In the midst of this primary season, the Brookings Institution and the Cleveland Clinic are hosting an Opportunity 08 forum entitled “Reforming Health Care: Improving Quality, Controlling Costs, Expanding Coverage.” This forum will provide voters in Ohio with an in-depth policy discussion on the challenges – and possible solutions – that will confront our next president.
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Health Care, The Presidency, Elections, Political Campaigns, Campaigns
SPOTLIGHT: Education

Reuters/Lee Celano - A pre-schooler holds the hand of a teacher's assistant as he prepares to go to class
Julia B. Isaacs, May 15, 2008
Compiled by Brookings Institution experts, this chart is part of a series of issue indices being published during the 2008 Presidential election cycle. In this index, candidates' views on children's issues are presented.
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Education, Head Start, Health Care, Children & Families, Elections
OPPORTUNITY 08 EVENT VIDEO

Ralph Alswang - Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) speaks at a Brookings Opportunity 08 forum on energy challenges
The Honorable Lamar Alexander, (R-Tenn.), William J. Antholis, Carlos Pascual, David B. Sandalow, Jonathan Elkind and Jason Bordoff, May 12, 2008
Energy issues are central to the most important strategic challenges facing the United States and the world. And in the presidential campaign, they are increasingly central to the discussion of how the next president will approach America's environmental, economic and security policy. On May 12, the Opportunity 08 project at Brookings hosted Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) for a discussion of energy issues facing the next president.
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Climate Change, Energy Security, Taxes, Trade, Energy
SPOTLIGHT: Trade

Reuters/Lucy Nicholson - Century City and downtown Los Angeles are seen through smog
Strobe Talbott and William J. Antholis, 2007
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has said that he would aggressively pursue solutions to global climate change that include a cap-and trade-system to limit greenhouse gas emissions and support for alternative energy sources. Meanwhile, Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have released plans that include pursuing renewable energy sources and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles. Strobe Talbott and Bill Antholis say that reversing the process of climate change requires effective diplomacy and skillful management of domestic politics.
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Trade, Climate Change, Foreign Policy, Environment, Energy Security