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Jim Pirtle'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.

Jim Pirtle has demonstrated Political Courage by telling citizens where he stands on the issues he may face if elected.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Colorado Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test

Abortion

Pro-choice		Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Federal Government should not mandate choice. We live in a free nation where we can still make decisions unlike China.

Afghanistan

Yes		Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
No		Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Fast withdrawal leaves a limited amount of boots on the ground we are currently losing 2 military personel a day since the draw down. Either leave Afghanistan NOW, or finish the job.

Budget

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,

No		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?
Fix the fraud in Medicare/Medicaid

Campaign Finance

Yes

Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?

Capital Punishment

Yes

Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

Economy

Yes		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?
No		Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
Unknown Position		Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: Budget. 2 March 2012. "Recently we heard from the government that they were no longer spending, but now they're investing. Investing, which is the same as spending, the money is still going out and we the taxpayers are stuck with the bill [¦] We don't have to cut programs. Using a variable entitlement and spending program, as the U.S. experiences an overrun in the budget, each program would have to shed a little to make up the difference. When the budget is balanced, the entitlements and spending can return to normal. Part of each fiscal budget, however, must include a line-item to pay down the national debt." (votesmart.org) Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: My Campaign. 11 May 2011. "The Right side of the aisle believes that deep cuts in the budget will fix the deficit. The Left side believes that tax increases only will resolve the issue. I believe that both sides are correct but are unwilling to work together towards a common goal. We do need to trim the spending, We do need increased taxes. Doing both is the only way to manage any budget. When I say increase taxes, I mean make the current tax system more fair. We started our country because of Taxation without Representation. Currently we have Representation without Taxation for the wealthiest 1% in our country. Close the loopholes in our tax system, pay your fair share." (www.pirtleforuscongress.com) Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: Colorado Jobs. 13 January 2012. "As the 411 jobs lost was reported, the next report is that President Obama is asking congress for another 1.2 TRILLION dollars to be added to our debt. If congress allows this increase, not only have they fail us in saving jobs, they have again spent us into bankruptcy." (www.pirtleforuscongress.com) Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: Economy. 2 March 2012. "The supposed stimulus package of $819 billion did very little to stop unemployment and stimulate the economy. Using that $819 billion as seed money for new businesses would have been a more profitable option. Most of our employment comes from small businesses, not huge corporations. Give the little people with the business plans a little seed money, where they can in turn hire employees. This then leads to the employees spending their paychecks and stimulating the economy." (votesmart.org)
[Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?] Yes and No

Education

Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?

Energy

Yes

Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?

Environment

No		Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No		Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

Guns

No		Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Shall not be infringed upon.

Health Care

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?

Immigration

		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?
		Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
Unknown Position		Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: Immigration. 2 March 2012. "As your representative I would push for harsh penalties for those companies that employ illegals. We would require a background check on new hires to verify that the ID's used for employment match the background check [¦] As your congressman, I would vote "NO" on any legislation to give amnesty to illegals without background check and fines. Giving those that came here in the dark of night would not be fair to those who chose to come here legally, like my associate and many others. Realistically, we could never deport the 12 million illegals already in this country. Yet, we must have those here illegally register with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), receive background checks, pay a penalty, and apply for greencard status prior to conducting any more work." (votesmart.org) Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: Immigration. 2 March 2012. "Our borders need to be secure and our border guards need to be protected as they respond to threats. Every issue we face today has a cause and effect. If you treat the effect only, the problem has not been solved. Making legislation about border-crossing and/or building fences is treating only the effect. Sending the immigrants back across the border just gives them ideas on how not to get caught their next attempt." (votesmart.org) Jim Pirtle. Jim Pirtle's Platform. 2 March 2012. "Opposes Amnesty." (www.pirtleforuscongress.com) Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: Immigration. 2 March 2012. "As your congressman, I would vote "NO" on any legislation to give amnesty to illegals without background check and fines. Giving those that came here in the dark of night would not be fair to those who chose to come here legally, like my associate and many others. Realistically, we could never deport the 12 million illegals already in this country. Yet, we must have those here illegally register with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), receive background checks, pay a penalty, and apply for greencard status prior to conducting any more work." (votesmart.org)

Marriage

Unknown Position		Do you support same-sex marriage?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.

National Security

		Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Unknown Position		Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate’s position.

Social Security

Unknown Position		Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Jim Pirtle. Issue Position: Social Security. 2 March 2012. "Now, Congress is wanting to pay-down the deficit by changing the SSA rules and cut funding for Medicare. We lose, AGAIN!" (votesmart.org) Norma Engelberg. OurTriLakesNews.com: Pirtle Wants to Bring Harmony to Government. 8 March 2012. "Next he would take Social Security out of the hands of government, putting the treasury bonds in nonprofit banks. 'The money would be in your name " you paid for it,' he said. 'And if you have a medical need and don't have insurance, you could borrow from it. If you die before you use it up, your kids could inherit it.'" (www.ourcoloradonews.com)

Spending and Taxes

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.

		a) Agriculture
		b) Arts
		c) Defense
		d) Education
		e) Environment
		f) Homeland Security
		g) International aid
		h) Medical Research
		i) Scientific Research
		j) Space exploration
		k) United Nations
		l) Welfare
		m) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Increase		a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease		b) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status		c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Maintain Status		d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Status		e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Maintain Status		f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status		g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Increase		h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate		i) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status		j) Payroll taxes
		k) Other or expanded categories

Administrative Priorities

First priority) reinstate the Glass/Stegal Act Second) Inhibit Banks from Gaming [illegible] 3) Balance the budget 4) Minimixe the Federal Gov. [illegible] 5) Implement NAWPA/ North American Water/Power Aliance!

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