Are metalcasters Republicans or Democrats? And who will they vote for next week?

The evidence is limited on these questions. In the end, it may boil down to what metalcasters consider themselves first and foremost—manufacturing workers or business owners.

On the workers’ end of things, a number of the major unions have endorsed the Democratic candidate in the upcoming election. The United Auto Workers recently did so, as evidenced by this letter from the union’s president. You need only go to the front page of the United Steel Workers’ website to figure out which candidate it is backing. And the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers International union, which represents many metalcasters, also seems to lean left. (Check out the “Take Action” section on the right side of the union’s homepage for the evidence.)

But would Barack Obama or John McCain be better for small businesses in the U.S.? The answer to this question is perhaps more complicated, as it requires a thorough examination of the candidates' proposed tax codes, health care initiatives and foreign policy, as well as their stand on labor and energy.

To help out small business owners, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides a site that looks at the presidential hopefuls from all angles business. The chamber does not endorse a particular candidate. The National Federation of Independent Business also has offered a relatively even-handed analysis, presenting what it takes to be the candidates’ views on a number of issues.

Spend some time sorting through what these organizations have to say, and make sure to vote next Tuesday. And if you have a few extra minutes, drop a cursor in the below comment section and let us know how you feel. Go democracy!