Craig Astor's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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Craig Astor has demonstrated Political Courage by telling citizens where he stands on the issues he may face if elected.
Kentucky Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test
| Pro-life | Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| It's unfortunate after almost 40 years since Roe v. Wade, abortion is still a divisive issue used by the 2 parties to garner votes and financial support. Common sense will help resolve this issue, rather than a rigid and uncompromising ideology that returns us to 1973 every 4 years. The problem is un-wanted pregnancies that lead to un-wanted children that some would demand a woman have while offering no solutions or financial support to feed, educate and take care of them. All sides need to put the victims first instead of their own political agenda. | |||
| No | Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan? | ||
| I support an orderly withdraw from Afghanistan, starting immediately. Afghanistan was the "Russian Vietnam". We should have had a defined strategy, allowed the military to achieve it, and brought the troops right back home. Extended occupations are unnecessarily expensive, both in the financial cost and the toll on our men and women in uniform. Multiple deployments along with uncertain objectives are both demoralizing and stressful to our military and their families. Per the Constitution, Congress has the authority to declare and fund wars, not Presidents. The U.S. must lead in promoting peace and mutual respect of life and liberty. | |||
Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,
| Yes | do you support reducing defense spending? | ||
| Yes | do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
| No | do you support reducing Medicaid spending? | ||
| No | do you support reducing Medicare spending? | ||
| Yes | Is balancing the budget a legislative priority? | ||
| I will not support any cuts to current obligations until Congress reduces its pay and pension benefits first. Congress must look at the social and corporate welfare system when trying to pass an acceptable budget. Money saved by ending the war on terrorism and cutting all foreign aid is a good start in balancing the budget while improving education and our infrastructure. Congress needs to work together to safeguard our children's future. Over the long term, we must either control the exploding costs or raise taxes to pay for programs. I support making Medicare solvent. Debt is not acceptable. | |||
| Yes | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| Big money has corrupted the political process in the U.S.. No longer are debates and public forums the venue to determine one's qualification in being elected but big advertisement campaigns sway the electorate with little substance offered as solutions to our problems. Instead of candidates being on the record by answering tough questions, with the right financial backing, candidates of the 2 big parties are greatly influenced by corporate donors and Super Pac interests. I will support a Constitutional Amendment to end the concept of Corporate Personhood. Corporations are not people, they are legal entities. | |||
| Yes | Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| I support capital punishment only for the most heinous crimes, and only in the instances where there is incontrovertible evidence. | |||
| Yes | Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| No | Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation? | ||
| Yes | Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation? | ||
| No | Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief? | ||
| The Bush Tax Cuts for the rich need to end. It's amazing that so many poor and middle income class voters have bought into the GOP "Trickle Down Economics" theory which doesn't work. Everyone needs to pay their fair share. I cannot support the "Free Lunch" environment of D.C. where connected corporate crony capitalists are enriched at the expense of the many through Corporate Welfare. The unemployed need jobs, not another extension in benefits. Instead of taking $600 billion in bailing out the "To Big To Fail Banks," the Government needs projects which yield returns that will benefit future generations. | |||
| No | Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants? | ||
| I believe education is best managed at the state and local level by administrators than from a federal agency. Many believe charter schools will provide competition and choice while I contend this already exist today with parochial and private academies. Education must become a priority for our children to stay competitive in a global economy. Career politicians that pay lip service to funding education are sometimes prone to allocate money for pet projects that return immediate dividends to themselves and their district while ignoring the educational challenges our nation will face in the 21st century. | |||
| Yes | Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? | ||
| All productions need to safeguard the environment from catastrophic events such as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We should not sacrifice long term safety for short term profits. The best scenario is to make these companies accountable for all damage they may do. Accountability ensures good behavior. Energy independence from foreign fossil fuels should be the goal set by Congress and the President's Administration. This will only happen when politicians are no longer in the pocket of the Energy Establishment Elite but instead representing the fiduciary interests of the people who elect them. | |||
| Yes | Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
| I am not sure of the extent to which there is damage, but I always err on the side of caution. It's easier to prevent a problem than to clean up a mess. Setting minimal standards is needed since pollution is seldom contained within a state's boundaries but effect surrounding areas and the overall environment. Building clean burning coal energy plants and developing affordable alternative energy which will be a cost savings to households while helping to reduce CO2 emissions is a win-win for everyone. | |||
| Yes | Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? | ||
| As a lifetime member of Gun Owners of America, I support the rights of law abiding citizens to arm and defend themselves by keeping and bearing arms. Certain current restrictions are beneficial to society such as the ban on selling to the mentally impaired and past felons. | |||
| Yes | Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? | ||
| No | Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act? | ||
| The Affordable Care Act is a product of bi-partisan failure to meet affordable health care needs of our citizens. This plan will fail while enriching the insurance companies and medical establishment at the expense of the American taxpayer. Either allow more competition through less regulation which will drive down cost, or, establish a National Care Act that everyone, from President and Congress, to the poorest citizen, are on a plan that covers basic medical needs from pre-born to death. A national sales tax could fund such service. Everyone from unemployed, corporations, businesses and self-employed would benefit from such a plan. | |||
| No | Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? | ||
| Yes | Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police? | ||
| We need to control our borders and the flow of immigrants into the country. We cannot continue to break the backs of the taxpaying citizens with free services to illegal immigrants. Though I sympathize for those who want to come and pursue the American Dream by jeopardizing their lives through illegal means, if measures are not enforced to protect the safety and services of our citizens, our country will suffer from not following the Rule of Law. We should create an easier path for those who want to immigrate to America and participate in society as a legal citizen. | |||
| No | Do you support same-sex marriage? | ||
| I believe in the traditional view of marriage between one man and one woman while supporting equal rights for all. Listening to the grievances of the people and working toward just and fair solutions will be a priority as a Congressman. Unfortunately, I see the 2 parties using this issue over the next 50 years like they used abortion to divide the country and garner votes and financial support. Simplifying the IRS tax code and adjusting Social Security benefits would eliminate some of the issues. Instead of the Federal Government getting involed, let's recognize civil unions and move on. | |||
| No | Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? | ||
| Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon? | |||
| I support a strong national defense and a global naval presence to ensure the peace. As a super power, we must be just and righteous in our actions while not being manipulated by those who would make financial gain from war and a U.S. hegemony of the middle-east oil fields. I support diplomacy over aggression and will work for peaceful solutions that build trust and respect. Fair and open trade is better than threats and war. Whether one believes we crawled from the swamp to the stars, or stepped from the garden to the galaxies, we are all related. | |||
| Yes | Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? | ||
| I would not encourage individuals to divert their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts invested in the stock market which is currently highly manipulated by speculator investors. If one so chooses to enrich inside traders, then be happy should your investments lose and not gain. The average person will have a difficult time competing in the stock market. Mutual fund managers and stock traders are always looking for fresh money to enter the game. Unfortunately, companies and unions which should be better at managing retirement accounts failed in the past which led to the 401k retirement system. | |||
SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.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 | ||
| Greatly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Maintain Status | e) Environment | ||
| Eliminate | f) Homeland Security | ||
| Eliminate | g) International aid | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) Medical Research | ||
| Maintain Status | i) Scientific Research | ||
| Slightly Decrease | j) Space exploration | ||
| Greatly Decrease | k) United Nations | ||
| Maintain Status | l) Welfare | ||
| m) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Maintain Status | a) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Slightly Decrease | b) Corporate taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Excise taxes (alcohol) | ||
| Maintain Status | d) Excise taxes (cigarettes) | ||
| Slightly Decrease | e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel) | ||
| Slightly Decrease | f) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
| Maintain Status | g) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) Income taxes (high-income families) | ||
| Maintain Status | i) Inheritance taxes | ||
| Slightly Decrease | j) Payroll taxes | ||
| I support abolishing the IRS graduated tax code and the implementation of a flat or fair tax. A simplified federal tax code that is easy to understand will ease tensions of corporations and investors. Capturing taxes from illegal activity, tourism and fraudulent filings will increase revenue to the treasury if a national sales tax is used. Also, eliminating tax exemptions and loopholes will increase revenue while removing lobbyists influence upon congress which grant such favorable exemptions. | |||
| I will sponsor and support legislation for the production of Industrial Hemp. This will create agricultural and manufacturing jobs in Kentucky as well as a commodity that can be sold on the global market. I will sponsor and support the repeal of the personal income tax amendment and for congress to establish a fair tax which will simplify the tax code to give entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations a sense of economic stability to promote jobs. I will work for the end of the war on terrorism which brings our military home with dignity and honor while promoting world peace. |
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