Still undecided...

In less than 8 hours, many South Carolinians will wake up, drive to their polling place, and pick the candidate they feel represents their values (or the lesser of all evils).

In less than 8 hours, many South Carolinians will not exercise their vote. Maybe they're busy. Maybe the kids are sick. Maybe they just don't feel like it.

In less than 24 hours, we'll find out which candidates garnered the most support in this state.

For those who will vote in the Republican primary tomorrow and are undecided (like I still am!), I thought I'd focus on the remaining candidates for certain critical areas -- some aren't discussed enough (some are)! 

Education

Jeb Bush: School vouchers, more local power (but has supported Common Core/national standards), reduce Dept. of Education.

Ben Carson: School vouchers, more local power.

John Kasich: *Only one who has plan laid out for how to shrink the Dept. of Education*; school vouchers -- has experience with his state's EdChoice program.

Marco Rubio: *Only Republican candidate that I've seen talk about a plan for our student debt crisis and the college educational system*; vocational college-focused; increase financial aid for working students. See his quote below from The Des Moines Register on Sept. 13th, 2015:

Rubio recommended reforming the accreditation system “to welcome low-cost, innovative higher education providers,” requiring schools to inform students how much they are expected to earn with a given degree prior to offering loans, increasing financial aid programs for working students, developing alternatives to student loans and correlating loan repayment with each graduate’s income.

Read more about education stances here.

Tax Plans

Jeb Bush: Tax plan has three tax brackets of 28, 25, and 10 percent. Claims that this would increase investment, higher wages, and sustained 4% economic growth, while reducing the deficit.

Ben Carson: A 14.9% flat tax on both individuals and corporations -- no exemptions, no deductions, no shelters. Opposes the earned income tax credit, calling the tax break a manipulation of the tax system. The flat tax plan would reduce federal revenue by $5.6 trillion over the next 10 years. This plan would increase taxes on all income groups other than the top 10 percent. 

John Kasich: Reduce tax brackets from seven to three, lower top individual tax rate from 39.6% to 28%, cap the long-term capital gains tax rate at 15% (helping high-income), drop top business tax rate from 35% to 25%, eliminate the estate tax, double research & development tax credit for small businesses, and increase the earned income tax credit by 10% (helping the low-income). He also would balance the budget within eight years by freezing most spending except military.

Marco Rubio: Reduce number of tax brackets from seven to three: 15%, 25%, and 35%. Eliminate all exemptions and deductions except for charitable contribution and reformed home mortgage interest deductions. Cuts corporate tax rates to no higher than 25%. Provide a new child tax credit of up to $2500. *Offers 25% tax credit to any business that offers between 4-12 weeks of paid leave to workers with qualifying family or medical issues such as maternity leave.* Calls for 80% cut in 18.4 cents-per-gallon gas tax that pays for most federal transportation projects in order to devolve the system to the states. Tax plan would decrease government revenues by $6 trillion in 10 years.


Read more about tax plans here.

Immigration

Jeb Bush: Opposes mass deportation of illegal immigrants. Calls for practical plan: allow people to earn legal status where they pay a fine, work, don't commit crimes, learn English. To address border security, he would use advanced counter-surveillance technology and improve border infrastructure with road construction and maintenance. Also recommends requirement of e-verify system, track and deport immigrants overstaying visas, and withholding federal funding for sanctuary cities.

Ben Carson: Allow a six-month window for undocumented workers to apply for guest worker permits, pending they work and have a clean record. Supports building a border fence, fining companies that hire illegals, prosecute those who cross illegally, and making English the official language.

John Kasich: Finish the border and have a guest worker program. For illegals already here with a clean record, fine them, and put on path to legalization (not path to citizenship).

Marco Rubio: Hire 20,000 new border agents, finish fencing and walls, enforce mandatory e-verify, implement entry-exit tracking system to prevent visa overstays, and once all that is complete, then fine those who are not criminal. Would not deport the illegals here, but would fine and have them go through process.

Read more on immigration here. 

ISIS and Syrian Refugees

Jeb Bush: Tighten efforts to deal with entry visa program to track those who have been where there is Islamic terrorism. Destroy ISIS in the caliphate -- need a no-fly zone, safe zones for refugees, and build a military force. Embed our forces inside Iraqi military. Arm the Kurds.

Ben Carson: Necessary for U.S. to declare war on ISIS. Establish a military coalition with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Recruit and train Sunni men from those in coalition. Evaluate visa and immigration policies. Destroy caliphate. Take oil as their source of revenue. Shut down funding and attack their command-and-control centers.

John Kasich: Assemble coalition with Arab leaders and friends in Europe. Once we win against ISIS, we should leave and turn it over to regional powers. Need a better vetting process before admitting more Syrian refugees.

Marco Rubio: Embed American special operators alongside Sunni Arabs to help with training, special missions, and improve air strikes. Reverse cuts to military. Film and broadcast capturing ISIS leaders. Restrict Syrian refugees from entering U.S. Need a reliable process to vet refugees. 


Read more about views on ISIS and Syrian refugees here. 


Ok, now let's talk about "winnability."

After much research, I truly believe Governor Kasich and Senator Rubio have the greatest chance of winning in November versus Hillary or Bernie. They are willing to work with both parties, and that's a sign of a great leader.

Check out this article stating Democrats "hoping" for a Trump/Carson ticket.

Of the 176 superdelegates who answered the question, 65 said Rubio, the first-term senator from Florida, would be the Democrats' strongest opponent. [Kasich got second with 45 votes.]

I wouldn't be opposed to a Rubio/Kasich ticket in November. Now... who to vote for tomorrow??