Democratic and Liberal political analysis and commentary

The presidential candidates are falling all over themselves to finish their health care plans and to explain their positions on fixing the health care system to their supporters.

In survey after survey, health care comes in as the number one area of concern among the American electorate.

And there are many ideas for fixing the problem, but there is a stark contrast between how democrats and republicans would tackle the issue. In a nutshell, democrats would do it but providing health care coverage to all, and republicans would do it by providing tax incentives to employers and individuals to make it easier to purchase health care coverage.

I have a problem with the whole tax credit system with regard to purchasing health care coverage. A person who can barely afford health insurance is not going to purchase it in January, ruining the family budget in the process, and wait more than a year for a tax credit. It does not ease the pain of purchasing the policy. Even flexible spending plans are a pain in the ass. They are only available to people who work for companies who sponsor the plans.

There needs to be comprehensive reform, including a stark evaluation of where all the money goes. And everybody needs to be covered.

Health care costs are affecting America's ability to compete in the global market. Without some sort of cost controls, employers will never be able to keep up.

Do you know what your candidate supports? John Edwards has the most comprehensive plan on the democratic side.