Robyn Hamlin's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Key
Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
Robyn Hamlin refused to tell citizens where she stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.
Issue Positions
For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2012.
- Robyn Hamlin. Life. 27 August 2012. “I believe that Life Begins At Conception and that women have a right to stop conception from occuring. It is horrendous that people who honor life should be forced to fund murder. Many argue that a woman has the right to do what she wants with her own body. That is true if it only affects her body. An abortion affects another person who does not have a voice. While I personally am against abortions I find partial birth abortions extremly henious. Murder is what they are. We have allowed our government to re-define so many words that the morals of our children are at risk.” (robynforcongress.com)
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: Protecting Life. 1 January 2012. “One of the few responsibilities government has is to protect life. States should be free to make their own decision on the abortion issue, and so the Supreme Court must overturn Roe v. Wade.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Pro-life" for: "a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "e) Should federal subsidies be prohibited from being used for abortion procedures?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: Defending Our Country. 1 January 2012. “Robyn believes in a strong national defense. She advocates refocusing our military might away from no-win police actions in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and using our resources in a way that truly protects America from the very real dangers that threaten us.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. War. 27 August 2012. “When our country goes to war our Congress is supposed to declare war. We have allowed our representatives to allocate funding for police actions and the newscasters want to convince us that we are in a war. Our service men and women are being sent to places and putting their lives on the line for wars that are not even declared. If we are going to put our young people on the line don't you think that they deserve a congress that will declare war so they can do their jobs and then come home? A police action can become never ending. We are not the policeman of the world. Our soldiers are not slaves to be sent off to fight and die in a foreign land just because some politicians want to extend their notion of freedom with occupying a country. Common sense and the Constitution tell you that our military and our tax dollars should only be used to defend our country on foreign soil when Congress has declared a war.” (robynforcongress.com)
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Slightly Decrease" for: "c) Defense"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Slightly Decrease" for: "Indicate what federal funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once. c) Defense"
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: Defending Our Country. 1 January 2012. “Robyn believes in a strong national defense. She advocates refocusing our military might away from no-win police actions in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and using our resources in a way that truly protects America from the very real dangers that threaten us […] Robyn will also propose plans to streamline and optimize our nation's defense budget, ensuring there is as little waste, fraud, and unnecessary expenditures as possible.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Liberty Candidates: 2012 Survey. Responded “We should do everything possible to protect our country but that does not mean funding both sides of wars between other countries. Number one, it is just plain wrong and number two, we do not have the money for this type of thing.” to the question: “What is your opinion on current US foreign policy?” (libertycandidates.com)
- Robyn Hamilton. Issue Position: Taxes. 27 August 2012. “We pay far too many taxes in this country. It's not just the wealthy and middle class that pay the taxes to run our overgrown government, it's everybody. If you listen to television you will hear a lot of talk about raising taxes on the wealthy but you never seem to hear about that taxes that are imposed on all of us. Our government has grown far bigger than it was ever intended and we collect far too many taxes to pay for it. Taxes need to be lowered and in some cases, even abolished. Isn't it time we demanded that we have lower taxes? […] Think you don't pay taxes? Think again. Even if you earn or receive so little you don't have to file an income tax form, you still pay too many taxes. And I think that money should be put back in your pocket.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: New Government Agencies. 1 January 2012. “Common sense and the Constitution tell you that spending our taxes on programs and agencies that do not move our country toward a "more perfect Union' must be abolished. I promise to work toward reducing wasteful spending of our tax dollars.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: Jobs for Missouri. “As a small business owner, Robyn understands what it takes to create jobs: hard work and entrepreneurship. She understands, as the economist Ludwig von Mises explained, that 'Government spending cannot create additional jobs. If the government provides the funds required by taxing the citizens or by borrowing from the public, it abolishes on the one hand as many jobs as it creates on the other.' Robyn believes that a strong economy requires low taxes, a government that makes it easy for us to start new businesses, and a sound monetary system.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: Jobs for Missouri. “As a small business owner, Robyn understands what it takes to create jobs: hard work and entrepreneurship. She understands, as the economist Ludwig von Mises explained, that 'Government spending cannot create additional jobs. If the government provides the funds required by taxing the citizens or by borrowing from the public, it abolishes on the one hand as many jobs as it creates on the other.' Robyn believes that a strong economy requires low taxes, a government that makes it easy for us to start new businesses, and a sound monetary system.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: Educating Our Kids. 1 January 2012. “Robyn is confident that we can give our children a much better education system. We must allow local schools, teachers, and families to have more control over our kids' education, as opposed to federal bureaucrats. Washington, DC has pushed failed programs like "No Child Left Behind" on our school districts, and it's time to move forward to a smarter and more localized system of education.” (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Slightly Decrease" for: "Indicate what federal funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once. d) Education"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Slightly Decrease" for: "d) Education"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Liberty Candidates: 2012 Survey. Responded “Not really. Families who know that a family member is a threat to society should have an active involvement when someones gun rights are taken away from a person.” to the question: “What controls, if any, should be placed on the right to own a gun? Is there an effective way to keep guns out of the hands of madmen and criminals without encroaching on the rights of free, law-abiding citizens?” (libertycandidates.com)
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option?" Health Issues Other or expanded principles: "Health Insurance is not Health Care. Car insurance is not automotive maintenance so why do people think that health insurance is health care?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Healthcare. 12 July 2012. “The majority of the mandates do nothing for the majority of the population except raise their premiums […] Common sense and the Constitution tell us that the federal government should not be involved with healthcare.” (robynforcongress.com)
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?"
- Robyn Hamlin. Immigration. 27 August 2012. “I do not support giving amnesty to illegal immigrants as it would encourage more people to enter our country illegally and discourage those who abide by our laws. Any proposal for reform must not reward those who choose to break our laws by entering the country illegally. They should not reap the benefits of citizenship without becoming a citizen legally. I don't really blame the illegal aliens for being here; I blame our current Congress for allowing them to enter illegally. I blame the companies who hire them and give them reason to remain. If our current Congress is unable to enforce the immigration laws that they have passed they should not attack the States that step up to do the job that they can't or refuse to do. Those who approach our immigration system legally and work through the established process should be welcomed. However, any proposal for reform must not reward those who choose to break our laws by entering the country illegally.” (robynforcongress.com)
- Americans for Legal Immigration. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Americans for Legal Immigration endorsed Robyn Hamlin in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)
- Americans for Legal Immigration. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. Americans for Legal Immigration endorsed Robyn Hamlin in the 2010 general election. (votesmart.org)
- Robyn Hamlin. Issue Position: Standing Up for LGBT. 1 January 2012. “LGBT Americans should not be treated as second class citizens. Same-sex couples should enjoy all the rights and benefits of other couples. Government should not be involved in deciding who can and cannot get married. Marriage should be a private contract based on love and commitment. Young LGBT Americans in particular must understand that no matter how difficult their situation is, bigotry and oppression will never prevail. Robyn will champion a brighter and more just future for LGBT Americans and all American.” (votesmart.org)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Robyn Hamlin. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "a) Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security?"
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
| Pro-life | a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life? | ||
| b) Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy? | |||
| c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape? | |||
| Yes | d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered? | ||
| Yes | e) Should federal subsidies be prohibited from being used for abortion procedures? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
1) SpendingIndicate what federal funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once.2) TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once.
| Slightly Decrease | a) Agriculture | ||
| Slightly Decrease | b) Arts | ||
| Slightly Decrease | c) Defense | ||
| Maintain Status | 1) Intelligence operations | ||
| Maintain Status | 2) Military hardware | ||
| Maintain Status | 3) National missile defense | ||
| Maintain Status | 4) Salary and benefits for active duty personnel | ||
| Slightly Decrease | 5) Programs to improve troop retention rates | ||
| Maintain Status | 6) Research and development of new weapons | ||
| Slightly Decrease | d) Education | ||
| Slightly Decrease | e) Environment | ||
| Slightly Decrease | f) Homeland security | ||
| Greatly Decrease | g) International aid | ||
| Slightly Decrease | h) Medical research | ||
| Slightly Decrease | i) Scientific research | ||
| Maintain Status | j) Space exploration | ||
| Greatly Decrease | k) United Nations | ||
| Slightly Decrease | l) Welfare | ||
| Greatly Decrease | m) Other or expanded categories | ||
| Maintain Status | a) Alcohol taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Cigarette taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | d) Corporate taxes | ||
| Slightly Decrease | e) Gasoline taxes | ||
| Eliminate | f) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
| Greatly Decrease | g) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
| Slightly Decrease | h) Income taxes (high-income families) | ||
| i) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Yes | 3) Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax? | ||
| Yes | 4) Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year? | ||
| 6) Other or expanded principles | |||
| No | 5) Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy? | ||
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| Yes | a) Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector? | ||
| No | c) Do you support increasing the federal minimum wage? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support the ability of workers to unionize? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support federal funding for job-training programs that retrain displaced workers? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
| No | a) Do you support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns? | ||
| Yes | b) Should Congress regulate indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| No | c) Do you support removing all contribution limits on federal campaigns? | ||
| Yes | d) Should candidates for federal office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations? | ||
| No | f) Do you support limiting the President's ability to define how legislation is applied through the use of signing statements? | ||
| g) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related training and job-placement assistance when released? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders? | ||
| e) Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs? | |||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
| b) Do you support federal funding for universal pre-K programs? | |||
| c) Do you support federal funding for charter schools? | |||
| d) Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers? | |||
| e) Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid? | |||
| Unknown Position | a) Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students? | ||
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| This should be sent back to the States to regulate. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? | ||
| No | c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas? | ||
| Yes | f) Do you support federal funding for the development of alternative energy? | ||
| g) Do you support the development of nuclear reactors? | |||
| h) Other or expanded principles | |||
| No | a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns? | ||
| No | d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles? | ||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
| No | a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option? | ||
| b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform? | |||
| Yes | c) Should the federal government expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support relaxing regulations on the importation of prescription drugs? | ||
| Health Insurance is not Health Care. Car insurance is not automotive maintenance so why do people think that health insurance is health care? | |||
| No | a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support decreasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support establishing English as the official national language? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? | ||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
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