Presidential webhunt

Science World, Oct 11, 2004 by Mona Chiang

Who do you want as the next U.S. President? Have your say at www.scholastic.com/vote. Hurry and cast your e-ballot by October 15, 2004.

Guess what? The job of the U.S. President involves more than juggling world affairs. The President also influences science-related issues. How? Find out as you meet the job candidates: Surf their Web sites to fill in the blanks below.

George W. Bush

Current job: U.S. President Party Affiliation: Republican Web site: www.georgewbush.com/agenda

John Kerry

Current job: U.S. Senator, Massachusetts Party Affiliation: Democratic Web site: www.johnkerry.com/issues

1. BREATHE EASY

Americans love using their cars and appliances. That's why the U.S. is tops in consuming fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas). The downer: Burning fossil fuels spews dangerous environmental pollutants like greenhouse (heat-trapping) gases. What's one idea for cleaner energy?

Design safe and affordable cars that run on a hydrogen-powered fuel cell--a unit that uses hydrogen gas to generate electric power, emitting no pollutants in the process. Bush hopes they will be the first cars driven by people born in the year --. (Hint *: Look for environmental topics, then read about global climate change in the issue brief.)

Charge up with renewable fuels, or clean and unlimited energy sources like the sun and wind. Kerry hopes that by the year --, 20 percent of the electricity used in the U.S. will come from these green sources. (Hint *: Look for energy topics to read about plans for developing new energy sources.)

2. TAKE CARE

Need a doctor or medicine? Many Americans have no access to, or cannot afford, these healthcare basics. What's one way to take care of the nation?

Bush made a five-year plan: Fund 1,200 new or expanded health centers to provide care for people in medically underserved communities. So far, more than -- of these centers have been created. (Hint: Look for health-care topics, then read about health centers in the issue brief.)

Kerry believes that there should be guaranteed health care for every child in the U.S., and that all Americans should have access to the same level of health plan as these government employees:. (Hint: Look for healthcare topics to read about quafity health care.)

3. SAVE LIVES

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of the world's biggest killers. Today, about 38 million people suffer from this infectious disease. What's one plan to battle this global epidemic?

In 2003, Bush announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This five-year plan aims to spend $--, funding prevention efforts and lifesaving treatment to the hardest-hit areas in the world. (Hint: Look for compassion topics, then read about the fight against HIV/AIDS.)

Kerry wants to increase funding and strengthen access to AIDS prevention and treatment. He aims to meet the World Health Organization's goal of putting at least -- people on treatment by 200?. (Hint: Look for health-care topics, then read about the fight against HIV/AIDS.)