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James 'Jim' Clifford Pirtle

James 'Jim' Clifford Pirtle's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Full Name: James 'Jim' Clifford Pirtle
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Valarie; 2 Children: Jacquline, James D. (deceased)
Birth Date: 08/06/1956
Birth Place: Kansas City, KS
Home City: Colorado Springs, CO
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Jim Pirtle has demonstrated Political Courage by telling citizens where he stands on the issues he/ she may face if elected.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Colorado Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test

Key

Candidate Answer
Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.
Inferred Answer
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.
Unknown Answer
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.
Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Project Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Pro-choiceCandidate AnswerDo you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Other or expanded principles

Federal Government should not mandate choice. We live in a free nation where we can still make decisions unlike China.

YesCandidate AnswerDo you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
NoDo you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Other or expanded principles

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.

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.
In order to balance the budget,
NoCandidate Answerdo you support reducing defense spending?
YesCandidate Answerdo you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Nodo you support reducing Medicaid spending?
Nodo you support reducing Medicare spending?
YesIs balancing the budget a legislative priority?
Other or expanded principles

Fix the fraud in Medicare/Medicaid

YesDo you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Other or expanded principles
YesDo you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Other or expanded principles
Unknown PositionInferred Answer Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? View Citations
  • 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)
  • 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: 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)
YesCandidate AnswerDo you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
YesDo you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
NoDo you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
NoDo you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
Other or expanded principles

[Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?] Yes and No

NoCandidate AnswerDo you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Other or expanded principles
YesCandidate AnswerDo you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Other or expanded principles
NoDo you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
NoCandidate AnswerDo you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Other or expanded principles
NoCandidate AnswerDo you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Other or expanded principles

Shall not be infringed upon.

YesCandidate AnswerDo you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
NoShould individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Other or expanded principles
Unknown PositionInferred Answer Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? View Citations
  • 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)
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?
Other or expanded principles
Unknown PositionInferred Answer Do you support same-sex marriage? View Citations
  • Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
Other or expanded principles
Unknown PositionInferred Answer Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? View Citations
  • Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Other or expanded principles
Unknown PositionInferred Answer Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? View Citations
  • 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)
Other or expanded principles
Spending
Indicate 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.
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
Taxes
Indicate 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 Increasea) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decreaseb) Corporate taxes
Maintain Statusc) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Maintain Statusd) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Statuse) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Maintain Statusf) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Statusg) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Increaseh) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminatei) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Statusj) Payroll taxes
k) Other or expanded categories
Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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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