Charlie Gonzalez's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Key
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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.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
Charlie Gonzalez refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2010 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 2010.
- National Right to Life Committee. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Planned Parenthood. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2008. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. H Amdt 509 to HR 3962. 111th Congress. An amendment printed in Part C of House Report 111-330 to codify the Hyde Amendment in H.R. 3962. The amendment prohibits federal funds for abortion services in the public option. It also prohibits individuals who receive affordability credits from purchasing a plan that provides elective abortions. However, it allows individuals, both who receive affordability credits and who do not, to separately purchase with their own funds plans that cover elective abortions. It also clarifies that private plans may still offer elective abortions. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 7 November 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 3660. 106th Congress. To amend title 18, United States Code, to ban partial-birth abortions. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 4 May 2000. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. H Amdt 209 to HR 1815. 109th Congress. An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 109-96 to lift the current ban on privately funded abortions at U.S. military facilities overseas. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted YES on 25 May 2005. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 760. 108th Congress. To prohibit the procedure commonly known as partial-birth abortion. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 4 June 2003. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. S 3. 108th Congress. A bill to prohibit the procedure commonly known as partial-birth abortion. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 2 October 2003. (votesmart.org)
- NARAL Pro-Choice America. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should always be legal;" "Other: Dilation and extraction should be legal provided medical neccesity for mother's health and wellbeing."
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected YES for: "4) Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax?"
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 8. 108th Congress. To make the repeal of the estate tax permanent. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 13 April 2005. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 5638. 109th Congress. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the unified credit against the estate tax to an exclusion equivalent of $5,000,000 and to repeal the sunset provision for the estate and generation-skipping taxes, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 22 June 2006. (votesmart.org)
- National Taxpayers Union. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 3 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 1. 111th Congress. Making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted YES on 13 February 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 1424. 111th Congress. To provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system and protecting taxpayers, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted YES on 10 March 2008. (votesmart.org)
- Club for Growth. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the Club for Growth 0 percent in 2008. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Gonzalez Statement on Economic Recovery Bill. 13 February 2009. "Americans are hurting and our economy is struggling. By passing HR 1, we are making an investment in our people, our businesses, and our children. That investment will strengthen the foundation on which we can build. This is a step on the long road back to economic stability and future prosperity." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Issue Position: The Economy. "Though we have been successful locally we cannot ignore what's going on nationally. As we have seen with the closing of manufacturing plants in San Antonio, and the losses in certain sectors of the local economy due to outsourcing, it is clear that decisions made in Washington, DC affect us here at home... That is why I support a jobs and economic growth plan that shifts the focus back to working families, avoids long-term deficits, and provides an immediate stimulus to get our national economy moving again. I will continue to fight for common sense measures that encourage hiring, targeting tax cuts to families, give businesses incentives to hire the long-term unemployed, speed up federal construction projects, invest in education, and give tax breaks to companies that manufacture products in the United States." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Issue Position: Jobs and the Economy. "Congressman Gonzalez understands that putting Americans back to work must be our top priority. Rebuilding a thriving economy is also historically proven to be the best way to reduce our federal budget deficit and pay down the debt racked up while Republicans controlled the White House and Congress. Congressman Gonzalez has been working to move America forward, by supporting legislation that creates economic opportunity for small businesses and American workers. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act didn't just cut taxes on 95% of working Americans, it also included more than $700 million for small businesses, including waiving SBA fees and backing millions in new loans. The American Jobs & Closing Tax Loopholes Act would give small businesses access to essential credit, through billions in new loan guarantees, while its R&D tax credits would help businesses create and manufacture the products of the future. The Small Business & Infrastructure Jobs Act would extend the Build America Bonds program created by the Recovery Act, which has financed more than $100 billion in rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, as well as encouraging investment by waiving small business capital gains tax. Through these bills and other like them, Congressman Gonzalez has fought to provide incentives for businesses to hire unemployed American workers, prevent corporation from shipping jobs overseas at U.S. taxpayer expense, and invest in the infrastructure on which our businesses all depend. There is still a long way to go on rebuilding our national and local economies, and Congressman Gonzalez will work to lay a strong foundation for long-term growth." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Ensure the viability of Social Security by increasing the payroll tax;" "d) Support proportional increases of Social Security benefits based on the cost of living index."
- Charles Gonzalez. Congress Protects Seniors' Medicare And Social Security Benefits. 24 September 2009. "Medicare and Social Security are a trust between our seniors and our government. By our action today, the House of Representatives said to America's senior citizens, 'We understand our responsibility and we will not let you down.' In these tough economic times it is more important than ever that we ensure that seniors don't have to pay higher Medicare premiums or receive smaller social security checks. That's why I introduced my Social Security bill, to help ensure that we never face such a threat again." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HSA's Are A Losing Gamble For America. "In this year's State of the Union address, the President offered Health Savings Account (HSA) and tax breaks for premiums on high deductible insurance policies as the solution to America's healthcare crisis. Using the same kind of language he used to claim that Social Security was broken, the President said that unless we changed how Americans pay for health care, a financial crisis was awaiting future generations. And, not surprisingly, the President offered a solution like his plan to privatize Social Security... (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Issue Position: Deficit Reduction & Social Security. "Most of our current budget deficit is the result of the collapsed economy, so putting people to work is our first priority, but the long-term deficit is an important issue. Making several sensible changes, like controlling the costs of health care, will go far towards doing that and there are other changes, like ending the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthiest, that can offset the one-time deficit in Social Security better than reducing benefits." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes;" "b) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes."
- Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants. 2005-2006. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants 67 percent in 2005-2006. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Support the federal government funding universal pre-K programs;" "Other: Maintain concept of NCLB for measuring/targeting students' progress but not as presently utilized."
- Home School Legal Defense Association. 1999-2000. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the Home School Legal Defense Association 0 percent in 1999-2000. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 1. 107th Congress. To close the achievement gap with accountability, flexibility, and choice, so that no child is left behind. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted YES on 23 May 2001. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Issue Position: Education. "The No Child Left Behind Act was the most important Education Reform legislation in several decades. It was a true bipartisan achievement as Democrats and Republicans negotiated a compromise bill that promised parents and children improved quality and accountability as well as a substantial increase in school resources. The law requires schools, teachers, students, and parents to do more and achieve more than ever before. Schools must have a qualified teacher in every classroom in four years. Children must make progress on reading and math achievement every year. All students of limited English proficiency must make progress on learning the English language and academics each year. This landmark education reform bill focuses on improving quality and accountability for results in our nation's public schools with increased resources to help children and schools achieve those goals." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act;" "b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act;" "e) Strengthen fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles;" "g) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels;" "i) Support research and development of nuclear reactors as an alternative energy source;" "j) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits under 'cap and trade' laws;" "l) Support international voluntary emission targets to limit global warming;" "Other: Expand/improve technology for cleaner use of traditional fuels as we seek to transition to alternatives."
- Environment America. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of Environment America 87 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 2454. 111th Congress. To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted YES on 26 June 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Issue Position: Energy Policy and Climate Change. "In order to ensure our national security and the health of our economy for years to come, we must invest in new technologies and diversify our energy portfolio. Only then will we truly be on a path to energy independence, on track to address the threats presented by climate change, and capable of securing our economic future." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected GREATLY INCREASE for: "c) Enforcement of existing restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns."
- Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 2003. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 88 percent from 1991 and 2003. (votesmart.org)
- Gun Owners of America. 2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave Charles Gonzalez a grade of F. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 6842. 111th Congress. To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 17 September 2008. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Implement a universal healthcare program to guarantee coverage to all Americans, regardless of income;" "b) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts;" "c) Allow the importation of prescription drugs into the United States;" "d) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare;" "e) Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage;" "f) Support expanding child healthcare programs."
- American Public Health Association. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 100 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 3962. 111th Congress. To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted YES on 7 November 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Congressman Gonzalez Hosts Town Hall Meeting To Discuss Health Care Reform. 24 August 2009. "America's Affordable Health Choices Act will reform the current health insurance system to give those Americans who already have coverage more stability and security. It will put patients and doctors in charge of medical decisions, instead of insurance companies. The bill prevents insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more because of diabetes, heart disease or any other pre-existing conditions. It limits out-of-pocket expenses to make sure no American family risks bankruptcy or financial ruin because a loved one got sick. "Without reform, the problem will only get worse," added Rep. Gonzalez. "Texas has among the highest rates of people without health insurance in the entire country." With this legislation, those Americans who don't have insurance will now be able to choose a quality, affordable plan through the new health insurance exchange. The exchange will offer low group rates even for individual coverage and promote choice, competition and transparency. It will include a public option to compete on a level playing field with private insurers so that every American gets the quality care they need." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Issue Position: Health Care. "Congressman Gonzales is proud to have been a part of crafting the House of Representatives' proposal for health care reform and then working with the Senate, the White House, and the American people to put forth final legislation that President Obama signed into law. Gonzalez worked tirelessly for over a year on the historic health care reform package that will help all Americans be Healthier. He saw the reform of our health care system as a moral and an economic imperative. He could not ignore the fact that Texas has the highest rates of uninsured adults and children in the country and that most uninsured individuals are in working families. The law builds upon our employer-based system of care, making health care more affordable and more accessible to Americans. Gonzalez is proud to have voted for it because the people he represents will benefit a great deal from the legislation." (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Illegal immigrants should be given a pathway to citizenship."
- Federation for American Immigration Reform. 2007-2008. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2007-2008. (votesmart.org)
- National Latino Congreso. 2007-2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of the National Latino Congreso 88 percent in 2007-2010. (votesmart.org)
- Peace Action West. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. Charles Gonzalez supported the interests of Peace Action West 54 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 4899. 111th Congress. Supplemental Appropriations Act. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes on 1 July 2010. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. HR 4899. 111th Congress. Supplemental Appropriations Act. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted YES on Requiring Timetable for Withdrawal from Afghanistan on 1 July 2010. (votesmart.org)
- Charles Gonzalez. Gonzalez Response to President's Speech on Afghanistan Policy. 2 December 2009. "Last night, the President laid out a strong, well-reasoned strategy. I applaud him for recognizing the vital importance of the fate of nuclear-armed Pakistan; that al-Qaeda is our greatest enemy in the region; and that it is their connection to al-Qaeda that marks the Taliban's greatest threat to us. His pledge to apply all of our resources, not merely our military strength, to the conflict is commendable. I wish that such a strategy had been in place long ago. But our continued military presence in Afghanistan will continue to destabilize the region and make our job more difficult. We have never wanted to occupy Afghanistan, and we can deprive al-Qaeda of a safe haven for training terrorists without doing so. It is time that we turn our focus to training the Afghan security forces and withdrawing our troops from that country. That does not and should not mean that we disengage, but we have many tools that would allow us to help Afghans defend themselves without a large contingent of American soldiers stationed in Afghanistan." (gonzalez.house.gov)
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected UNDECIDED for: "b) Do you support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman?"
- Charles Gonzalez. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected YES for: "a) Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?"
- Charles Gonzalez. H J Res 88. 109th Congress. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage. Project Vote Smart Summary: Charles Gonzalez voted NO on 18 July 2006. (votesmart.org)
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.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.
| a) Abortions should always be illegal. | |||
| X | b) Abortions should always be legal. | ||
| c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester. | |||
| d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape. | |||
| e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered. | |||
| f) Dilation and extraction or "partial-birth" abortion procedures should be legal. | |||
| g) Medicare, Medicaid, and federal subsidies should be prohibited from being used on abortion procedures. | |||
| Dilation and extraction should be legal provided medical neccesity for mother's health and wellbeing. | |||
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.1) Budget Priorities2) Defense Spending3) 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.Family Income TaxesOther TaxesDeductions/Credits
| Slightly Decrease | a) Agriculture | ||
| Slightly Increase | b) Arts | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Defense | ||
| Greatly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Slightly Increase | e) Environment | ||
| Maintain Status | f) FEMA | ||
| Slightly Increase | g) Homeland security | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) International aid | ||
| Slightly Increase | i) Law enforcement (Federal) | ||
| Slightly Increase | j) Law enforcement (State) | ||
| Slightly Increase | k) Medical research | ||
| Slightly Increase | l) National parks | ||
| Slightly Increase | m) Public health services | ||
| Greatly Increase | n) Scientific research | ||
| Maintain Status | o) Space exploration programs | ||
| Greatly Increase | p) Transportation and highway infrastructure | ||
| Maintain Status | q) United Nations | ||
| Maintain Status | r) Welfare | ||
| s) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Slightly Increase | a) Armed forces personnel training | ||
| Slightly Increase | b) Intelligence operations | ||
| Slightly Increase | c) Military hardware | ||
| Slightly Increase | d) Modernization of weaponry and equipment | ||
| Slightly Decrease | e) National missile defense | ||
| Greatly Increase | f) Pay for active duty personnel | ||
| Greatly Increase | g) Programs to improve troop retention rates | ||
| Maintain Status | h) Research and development of new weapons | ||
| Greatly Increase | i) Troop and equipment readiness | ||
| j) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Greatly Decrease | a) Less than $12,000 | ||
| Greatly Decrease | b) $12,001-$40,000 | ||
| Slightly Decrease | c) $40,001-$100,000 | ||
| Slightly Increase | d) $100,001-$180,000 | ||
| Slightly Increase | e) $180,001-$350,000 | ||
| Greatly Increase | f) $350,001 and above | ||
| Greatly Increase | a) Alcohol taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Greatly Increase | c) Cigarette taxes | ||
| Slightly Increase | d) Corporate taxes | ||
| Slightly Increase | e) Gasoline taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | f) Inheritance taxes | ||
| g) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Slightly Increase | a) Charitable contribution deduction | ||
| Slightly Increase | b) Child tax credit | ||
| Slightly Increase | c) Earned income tax credit | ||
| Slightly Increase | d) Medical expense deduction | ||
| Maintain Status | e) Mortgage deduction | ||
| Greatly Increase | f) Student loan credit | ||
| g) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Yes | 4) Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax? | ||
| No | 5) Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year? | ||
| 6) Other or expanded principles | |||
| 5 - Greatly Decrease - Carried income/interest | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.
| a) Support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns. | |||
| b) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office. | |||
| c) Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees. | |||
| d) Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns and parties. | |||
| X | e) Support prohibiting ads containing candidates' name that are paid for by third parties from airing 60 days before a primary and 30 days before a general federal election. | ||
| f) Support instant run-off voting (IRV). | |||
| X | g) Support designating Election Day as a national holiday. | ||
| h) Support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations. | |||
| X | i) Support limiting the President's use of signing statements in order to prevent an alternative interpretation of the bill. | ||
| X | j) Support a federal shield law to protect reporter-source privilege. | ||
| k) Other or expanded principles | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.
| a) Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes. | |||
| b) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes. | |||
| X | c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released. | ||
| X | d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment. | ||
| e) Reduce prison sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes. | |||
| f) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs. | |||
| X | g) Support strict penalties for internet crime (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses). | ||
| X | h) Require that crimes based on sexual orientation be prosecuted as federal hate crimes. | ||
| i) Other or expanded principles | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.
| X | a) Support the federal government funding universal pre-K programs. | ||
| b) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school. | |||
| c) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school. | |||
| d) Allow teachers and professionals to receive federal funding to establish charter or magnet schools. | |||
| X | e) Increase funding for the Pell Grant program. | ||
| X | f) Decrease interest rates of Stafford Loans. | ||
| X | g) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college. | ||
| X | h) Ban university financial aid officers from owning stock in or accepting gifts from student loan lenders. | ||
| X | i) Require universities to disclose financial relationships with lenders. | ||
| j) Support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind). | |||
| k) Eliminate all federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind). | |||
| Maintain concept of NCLB for measuring/targeting students' progress but not as presently utilized | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.
| X | a) Increase funding for national job-training programs that retrain displaced workers or teach skills needed in todays job market. | ||
| X | b) Reduce government regulation of the private sector. | ||
| X | c) Encourage employers to offer child care services, flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies. | ||
| X | d) Increase the federal minimum wage. | ||
| X | e) Support the right of workers to unionize. | ||
| f) Eliminate all federal programs designed to reduce unemployment. | |||
| X | g) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws. | ||
| X | h) Include gender identity in federal anti-discrimination laws. | ||
| i) Other or expanded principles | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.
| X | a) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act. | ||
| X | b) Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act. | ||
| c) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil). | |||
| d) Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles. | |||
| X | e) Strengthen fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles. | ||
| f) Support domestic oil exploration in areas that are currently restricted. | |||
| X | g) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels. | ||
| h) Support the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel. | |||
| X | i) Support research and development of nuclear reactors as an alternative energy source. | ||
| X | j) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits under "cap and trade" laws. | ||
| k) Support international mandatory emission targets to limit global warming. | |||
| X | l) Support international voluntary emission targets to limit global warming. | ||
| Expand/improve technology for cleaner use of traditional fuels as we seek to transition to alternatives. | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.On (c) and (d), indicate what levels (#1-6) you support for the following categories.
| a) Allow individuals to carry concealed guns. | |||
| b) Ban the sale, ownership or possession of handguns except by law enforcement and other government officials. | |||
| Greatly Increase | c) Enforcement of existing restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns. | ||
| d) Restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns. | |||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.
| X | a) Implement a universal healthcare program to guarantee coverage to all Americans, regardless of income. | ||
| X | b) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts. | ||
| X | c) Allow the importation of prescription drugs into the United States. | ||
| X | d) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare. | ||
| X | e) Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage. | ||
| X | f) Support expanding child healthcare programs. | ||
| g) Providing healthcare is not a responsibility of the federal government. | |||
| h) Other or expanded principles | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding immigration.
| a) Decrease the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country. | |||
| b) Establish English as the official national language. | |||
| X | c) Support a temporary worker program. | ||
| X | d) Support harsher financial punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants. | ||
| e) Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working in the United States. | |||
| f) Illegal immigrants should have to return to their countries of origin before being considered for citizenship. | |||
| X | g) Illegal immigrants should be given a pathway to citizenship. | ||
| h) Support merit-based visas over family-based visas. | |||
| i) Other or expanded principles | |||
International AidIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international aid.International PolicyIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international policy.International TradeIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international trade.
| X | a) Support the United States granting aid to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives. | ||
| X | b) Support the United States granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States. | ||
| c) Eliminate United States aid for any nation with documented human rights abuses. | |||
| d) Aid granted by the United States should be scaled back and eventually eliminated. | |||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Should the United States continue to provide leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process? | ||
| Yes | b) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state? | ||
| Yes | c) Should the United States impose greater international sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy United Nations mandates? | ||
| d) Should the United States support the Lebanese government against insurgent forces? | |||
| Yes | e) Should the United States maintain its troop levels in Iraq? | ||
| f) Should the United States withdraw its troops from Iraq? | |||
| Yes | h) Should the United States apply greater economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea if it fails to abide by its agreement to suspend its nuclear program? | ||
| Yes | i) Should the United States increase financial support for Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | j) Should the United States increase military support for Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | k) Should the United States trade nuclear fuel to India for civilian purposes? | ||
| No | l) Should the United States decrease financial support for Pakistan? | ||
| Yes | m) Should the United States decrease military support for Pakistan? | ||
| Yes | n) Should the United States be involved in bringing an end to the violence in Darfur, Sudan? | ||
| Yes | o) Should the United States be involved in bringing an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo? | ||
| Yes | p) Should the United States provide economic and military support to the Transitional Government of Somalia? | ||
| Yes | q) Should the United States use sanctions to encourage the government of Zimbabwe to end its human rights abuses? | ||
| Yes | r) Should the United States support the creation of an independent nation of Kosovo? | ||
| s) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support the United States imposing economic sanctions on China? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support the United States imposing trade sanctions on Venezuela? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support the United States involvement in free trade agreements? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support the United States involvement in intergovernmental organizations dedicated to trade? | ||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
| Establish benchmarks for political policy accomplishments with corresponding timelines. Structured/phased troop withdrawal to occur regardless of benchmark success. | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding national security.
| Yes | a) Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical? | ||
| Undecided | b) Should law enforcement agencies have greater discretion to monitor domestic communications, to prevent future terrorist attacks? | ||
| Yes | c) Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country? | ||
| Yes | d) Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security? | ||
| Undecided | e) Do you support pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to United States national security? | ||
| Undecided | f) Do you support the creation of a federal identification card system? | ||
| Undecided | g) Do you support long-term use of National Guard troops to supplement the armed forces in assignments overseas? | ||
| Undecided | h) Should the United States expand its missile defense shield? | ||
| Military tribunals must mirror rights, standards applicable in traditional non- military venues. | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.
| Yes | a) Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry? | ||
| Undecided | b) Do you support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support federal funding for research on existing embryonic stem cell lines? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support federal funding to create lines of stem cells from new embryos? | ||
| Yes | e) Should the federal government consider race and gender in government contracting decisions? | ||
| Yes | f) Should the federal government continue affirmative action programs? | ||
| Yes | g) Should the federal government regulate internet gambling? | ||
| Each state must establish its own legal framework relating to same sex unions. | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.
| a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts that they manage themselves. | |||
| X | b) Ensure the viability of Social Security by increasing the payroll tax. | ||
| c) Decrease benefits paid to retirees. | |||
| X | d) Support proportional increases of Social Security benefits based on the cost of living index. | ||
| e) Raise the retirement age for individual eligibility to receive full Social Security benefits. | |||
| f) Other or expanded principles | |||
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare and poverty.
| a) Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs. | |||
| X | b) Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants. | ||
| X | c) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients. | ||
| d) Abolish all federal welfare programs. | |||
| e) Other or expanded principles | |||
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