Presidential candidates

Cain’s “9-9-9” plan for a radical overhaul of the nation’s tax system has turned him into one of the most popular candidates in the Republican field.

he former House speaker’s pro-business “Jobs and Prosperity Plan” aims to trigger growth by slashing taxes across the board – including eliminating the capital gains tax and reducing corporate income tax to 12.5 percent from its current marginal rate of 35 percent.

Ron Paul was among the handful of politicians in 2006-2007 who warned of an impending financial meltdown. And he has been a consistent critic of the prevailing financial order.

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman wants to reboot the American economy by eliminating every last tax loophole, lowering the corporate tax rate and switching from six income tax brackets to three.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney lays out his economic platform in a 59-point pamphlet that promises a combination of tax cuts, spending cuts and a scaling back of regulations on business.

Rick Santorum’s economic plan draws as much from family values as it does from economics. Santorum insists that the strength of the American economy is predicated on the strength of the family.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry initially based his economic plan on increasing domestic energy exploration and production while cutting regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. Recently, he’s expanded his platform with a proposal that he says would reduce some Americans’ income taxes and all corporate taxes to 20 percent.