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Mary Waters' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (MI) - District 13

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Mary Waters has demonstrated Political Courage by telling citizens where she stands on the issues she may face if elected.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Michigan Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I believe a woman has a right to choose
No Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
Yes Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
I am reluctant to respond to war questions because I do not have access to the proper intelligence. I will leave that decision to the President of the United States.

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?
Yes do you support reducing Medicaid spending?
Yes do you support reducing Medicare spending?
Yes Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?
I support an increase in income tax for those individuals who net #350,000 annually. We must continue to train people so that they will no longer have to depend on medicaid. When it comes to medicare, we have to plan for the graying of America. Our aging population need to have bi-annual exams and screenings to make sure we save on emergency type visits.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
The people deserve to know who is spending tons of money on candidates and why.
No Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
The problem with the death penalty is that man is not perfect. Once you take an individual's life, you can not bring them back. DNA has proven time and again that wrong people have been sent to prison.
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
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?
Yes Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
Yes Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
These are tough times for everyone. If we invest in job creation, our economy will turn around.
Yes Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
The Federal government should look to the States to identify their educational priorities. The states are able to work with and monitor their local school districts and are in the best position to advise the Federal government. The federal Government must stop holding the states hostage with the no child left behind program.
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
I support the second amendment. However, there are those who should not be allowed to own a gun.
No 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?
I believe that everyone deserves access to health care without penalty. We have allowed other countries to get it right when it comes to health care. If you have healthy people, you'll have healthy productivity.
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?
No Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
We need to be fair when it comes to immigration. We must treat everyone the same. If an individual has submitted paperwork to become a US citizen, then why would we want to impose additional financial burdens on them by returning them to their country.
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
I believe marriage is between a man and woman. However, I do believe in civil unions and the right to be committed. People need to commit in relationships.
Yes Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Again, I've responded based on a limited amount of information. I do not have access to the proper intelligence in order to make such a decision. This is a decision for the President of the United States.
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Only if it's optional.

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.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Greatly Increase b) Arts
Greatly Decrease c) Defense
Greatly Increase d) Education
Slightly Increase e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Greatly Decrease g) International aid
Greatly Increase h) Medical Research
Maintain Status i) Scientific Research
Greatly Decrease j) Space exploration
Maintain Status k) United Nations
Slightly Decrease l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase b) Corporate taxes
Greatly Increase c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Greatly Increase d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Greatly Decrease e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Eliminate f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Increase h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Slightly Increase i) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status j) Payroll taxes
Our low income families can not afford to pay taxes.
When it comes to single mothers, I will fight to enable them to provide for their households. day care, pre school programs, health care and transportation. I will fight to eliminate taxes for low income households and to give more tax breaks to middle income families. My initiatives will be funded by taxing the 1% fairly and eliminating big oil loopholes even as we end macho budgeting for war and endless defense spending and redirect the dollars to rebuild America human infrastructure using govt dollars and a national service corp to build houses, schools, bridges, roads,green facilities.

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