Alpha Consumer

Presidential Debate: Your Financial Questions

By Kimberly Palmer

Posted: September 24, 2008

In preparation for the first presidential debate this Friday, I want to know what you would ask the candidates. Do you want to know what they would do to help your drooping retirement account? Or how they plan to deal with rising gas and food prices? Or maybe whether you can get a government bailout for your own bad debts?

To start things off, I asked Catherine Collinson, president of the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, what she would like to ask. Here's her question: "With more Americans struggling to make ends meet, often at the expense of retirement, what would you do, if elected, to help Americans better prepare for a financially secure future?"

Now it's your turn—what would you ask the candidates? One randomly selected commenter will receive a copy of Jennifer Barrett's The Smart Cookies' Guide to Making More Dough.

debate question

I would like the candidates to answer one question - yes or no. Is the plan to lower interest rates to make the descent and length of recession less awful, followed by raising interest rates and taxes to reduce the national debt which will start killing us when the rates go up? Yes or no. If no - then respond - I don't want any sane people to vote for me.

Leo Boeckl of MD @ Oct 15, 2008 12:47:55 PM

income tax on social security retirement funds.

at age 70, I draw a meager 1004.00/mo. luckly I am in good enough health to work for supplement to this income. Making 16,000.00 plus the 12,000.00 gives me 28,000.00 before taxes to live on. In april each year I am taxed on my earnings and on 1/2 of my social security as well. But noone mentions these taxes only the ones making over 250,000..(Plus they still take out ss on the earnings I make) I give up..............Old and Broke in TN

B Smith of TN @ Oct 14, 2008 15:34:40 PM

campaign spending

In light of our economic crisis -- the number of people out of jobs -- the depressed housing market -- how does either candidate justify the amount of money being spent on their campaign?

Each candidate is spending millions of dollars on unindating the public with campaign ads -- that at this point no one believes.

Linda of OH @ Oct 10, 2008 14:35:17 PM

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Alpha Consumer

Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.


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