save the land, but we can also improve the economic engines in a lot of these rural communities, and that is something that I'm absolutely committed to doing as president, but it's going to require overcoming the excess influence of agribusiness lobbying
There were elements of the [Senate farm bill] to replace traditional subsidies for certain crops and shift the money to conservation and nutrition and biofuels programs that did not make the changes I would have, so I would have voted against it.
Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate
Dec 13, 2007
End tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas
Obama believes that companies should not get billions of dollars in tax deductions for moving overseas. Obama will fight to ensure that public contracts are awarded to companies committed to American workers.
In today's economy, American workers have
to compete against high-skilled workers across the globe. Obama will make long-term investments in education, training, & workforce development so that Americans can leverage our strengths--our ingenuity & entrepreneurialism--to create new high-wage jobs
Source: Campaign website, BarackObama.com, "Resource Flyers"
Aug 26, 2007
Hold corporations responsible for pensions & work conditions
Hold Corporate America Responsible:
Obama joined union efforts to get Wal-Mart & other large employers to improve working conditions, wages & health coverage.
Obama supports amending bankruptcy laws to keep companies from avoiding their pension
obligations.
Obama supported new rules to force companies to properly fund their pension plans so workers aren't left without adequate retirement security.
He has also voted to shore up the funding of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Source: Campaign website, BarackObama.com, "Resource Flyers"
Aug 26, 2007
Tax incentives for corporate responsibility
Obama's "REAL USA" Corporations Plan (Responsible, Accountable, Loyal USA Corporations) will reward companies that create quality jobs in America with tax incentives. Companies will be required to:
locate in the United States 90% of its production and employment for the sales of goods and services that are consumed here;
invest at least 50% of its R&D budget here in the U.S;
make sure their workers have access to affordable health care by providing a standardized and portable health insurance plan and pay at least 70% of the cost;
make sure their workers have retirement security by contributing at least 5% of payroll to
a portable, multi-employer pension fund and operating a profit-sharing plan for all full time employees; and
limit management compensation to 50 times the lowest-paid full-time worker.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
Jun 25, 2004
Close tax loopholes for US companies relocating abroad
Obama will change the tax code by closing loopholes that give companies incentives to move jobs abroad, including denying tax benefits to former American companies that reincorporate offshore to avoid paying taxes.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com
Jun 25, 2004
REAL USA Plan: Reward companies that create domestic jobs
Obama's "REAL USA" Corporations Plan (Responsible, Accountable, Loyal USA Corporations) will reward companies that create quality jobs in America with tax incentives. Companies will be required to:
locate in the United States 90% of its production and employment for the sales of goods and services that are consumed here;
invest at least 50% of its R&D budget here in the U.S;
make sure their workers have access to affordable health care by providing a standardized and portable health insurance plan and pay at least 70% of the cost;
make sure their workers have retirement security by contributing at least 5%
of payroll to a portable, multi-employer pension fund and operating a profit-sharing plan for all full time employees; and
limit management compensation to 50 times the lowest-paid full-time worker.
Source: Press Release, "Creating Jobs in America"
Jun 21, 2004
Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore.
Amendment to repeal the tax subsidy for certain domestic companies which move manufacturing operations and American jobs offshore.
Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions.
Amends Federal bankruptcy law to revamp guidelines governing dismissal or conversion of a Chapter 7 liquidation (complete relief in bankruptcy) to one under either Chapter 11 (Reorganization) or Chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income). Voting YES would:
Declare a debtor eligible only for Chapter 13, as anyone financially capable of paying back their creditors at a rate that still allows them to earn above their state's median income
Place domestic support obligations such as child support and alimony amongst the first priority claim category of non-dischargeable debts on a debtor filing for bankruptcy
Require debtors to pay for and attend credit counseling prior to filing for bankruptcy
Cap home equity protection at $125,000 if the debtor purchased a house within 40 months of filing for bankruptcy.
Reference: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005;
Bill S 256
; vote number 2005-44
on Mar 10, 2005
Prevent money laundering by disclosing corporate owners.
Obama co-sponsored preventing money laundering by disclosing corporate owners
A bill to ensure that persons who form corporations in the United States disclose the beneficial owners of those corporations, in order to prevent wrongdoers from exploiting United States corporations for criminal gain, to assist law enforcement in detecting, preventing, and punishing terrorism, money laundering, and other misconduct involving United States corporations, and for other purposes.
