Comparisons: Scott Brown and Martha Coakley

Straight from their campaign websites, here are comparisons between the candidates for the US Senate seat. If you're thinking I selectively edited to make Brown look bad, I will say, "Okay, I am biased, of course, but the Brown website has one page on issues with little paragraphs explaining his stand on very complicated issues, while the Coakley website has in depth descriptions on these topics." Judge for yourself!

Sources: http://www.brownforussenate.com/issues and http://www.marthacoakley.com/about/Issues

	Brown	Coakley
Health Care	I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but I am opposed to the health care legislation that is under consideration in Congress and will vote against it. It will raise taxes, increase government spending and lower the quality of care, especially for elders on Medicare. I support strengthening the existing private market system with policies that will drive down costs and make it easier for people to purchase affordable insurance. In Massachusetts, I support the 2006 healthcare law that was successful in expanding coverage, but I also recognize that the state must now turn its attention to controlling costs.	The American health care system is broken and the time to fix it is now. Martha supports comprehensive health care reform now because America cannot afford to wait. As Attorney General, Martha filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and health insurers that drive up health care costs and achieved record recoveries in Medicaid fraud cases. Martha believes health care reform should build on the successes we’ve had in Massachusetts and focus on accomplishing three key goals: (1) expanding coverage; (2) improving quality; and (3) reducing costs.
Economy	I am a free enterprise advocate who believes that lower taxes can encourage economic growth. Raising taxes stifles growth, weakens the economy and puts more people out of work. Our economy works best when individuals have more of their income to spend, and businesses have money to invest and add jobs. I have been a fiscal watchdog in the state legislature fighting bigger government, higher taxes and wasteful spending.	Martha believes the best way to get our economy back on the right track is to tackle the economic crisis head on and to take all necessary steps to get people back to work. Americans continue to face the worst economic crisis in a generation. People are losing their homes, their jobs, their retirement, and many of those who have not, worry that they are next. A lifetime of savings have been ravaged by risky investments, unfair tactics, and market uncertainties. By making bold and wise investments in health care, energy and education; and restoring fiscal accountability to government spending, Martha believes we can get America working again.
Energy and Evnironment	I support common-sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces. I realize that without action now, future generations will be left to clean up the mess we leave. In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, I support reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and improved hydroelectric facilities. I oppose a national cap and trade program because of the higher costs that families and businesses would incur.	Today, more than ever, America needs a comprehensive approach to lowering our energy costs, meeting our energy needs and protecting our environment. We need diverse, affordable and sustainable energy supplies that maximize the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. We also need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for energy production and transportation. As Massachusetts Attorney General, I serve as the Ratepayer Advocate, working to protect consumers and keep energy prices down. I have worked to increase the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy. I partnered with the Patrick Administration, the business community, Environment Northeast and low income advocates to establish the most aggressive energy efficiency plans in the nation, which will invest more than $1 billion in low-cost efficiency over the next three years, saving consumers more than $4 billion. I also collaborated with the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Conservation Law Foundation and NSTAR on the Commonwealth’s first long-term renewable energy contracts and an option for NSTAR’s customers to purchase this green power. My office also reached a settlement with Western Massachusetts Electric Company to develop six megawatts of solar power. Throughout my tenure, I have also advocated for and obtained significant energy savings for consumers, while promoting long-term policies that will pave the way to a cleaner, more efficient, lower-cost energy future. In the process, I have saved Massachusetts ratepayers over $100 million and achieved other ratepayer protections. My office has been successful in opposing multiple rate increases by the natural gas, electric and transmission companies doing business in Massachusetts.
Education	I am passionate about improving the quality of our public schools. Accountability and high standards are paramount. I support choice through charter schools, as well as the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement. I have worked to ensure that all children have access to a quality education. I am a strong advocate for the METCO program, which provides lower income students with broader educational opportunities.	Martha believes that a quality, well-funded public education system is pivotal to ensuring a brighter future for our children and our country. The current economic crisis highlights the need for education reform that prepares students for the incredible challenges and unprecedented opportunities ahead. Martha is deeply committed to public education. As Senator, she will fight to improve teacher compensation, fund programs that connect students to innovative technologies and industries, and implement education reform that fosters and rewards innovation. Martha knows that funding for education at the federal and state levels is a long-term investment. In its current top-down, one-size-fits all form, No Child Left Behind (“NCLB”) has not lived up to its promises. However, with several reforms, NCLB has the potential to deliver the changes students deserve. As Senator, Martha will support legislation that directs federal funding to local governments to satisfy the requirements of NCLB. This way, municipal and regional school systems will have autonomy in directing funding and deciding what is best for their students.
Marriage	I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people's will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives.	Martha has stood as a national leader in defending same-sex couples and their right to marriage. Martha is the only Attorney General in the country to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, which unfairly excludes married same-sex couples and their families from critically important rights and protections.
Abortion and Reproductive Rights	While this decision should ultimately be made by the woman in consultation with her doctor, I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion. I also believe there are people of good will on both sides of the issue and we ought to work together to support and promote adoption as an alternative to abortion.	As Middlesex District Attorney and Attorney General, Martha successfully advocated for and defended legislation to create and expand buffer zones around reproductive health care facilities to ensure the safety of patients and staff members. Earlier this year, Martha filed a lawsuit challenging Bush Administration provider conscience regulations that jeopardized a woman’s ability to access reproductive health care from her doctor. Her office worked with the Obama administration, which then moved to rescind those regulations. In the Senate, Martha will be a leader who will always fight to ensure that women are able to access safe reproductive health care. She has been and will continue to be a steadfast champion of Roe v. Wade and its embodiment of fundamental liberty and privacy interests.
Israel	Israel has made enormous sacrifices in an attempt to secure peace – including unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. I support a two-state solution that reaffirms Israel’s right to exist and provides the Palestinians with a place of their own where both sides can live in peace and security. As our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel lives every day under the threat of terror yet shares with America a dedication to democratic ideals, a respect for faith, and a commitment to peace in the region. Until a lasting peace is achieved, I support the security barrier erected by Israel which has proven successful in protecting Israeli civilians from terrorist attacks.	Israel is one of our most important allies. Martha has traveled to Israel and has seen firsthand how important this democratic nation is in the region. In Washington, Martha will work to make sure Israel’s safety and security remain our priority. Martha supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Martha knows that a safe and secure Israel is part of the foundation of a stable Middle East, and thus America’s national security. In Washington, Martha will help continue the ongoing and gravely important work of developing a workable two-state solution so we all finally know peace in that region.