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Cam Cavasso'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.

Cam Cavasso has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2018 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

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 2018.

Pro-life

Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

Pro-life

"I will fight for laws that protect our children, our families, the unborn, and the elderly." (votesmart.org)

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

"A simple, fair, flat tax is the way to go!" (votesmart.org)
"Today Americans are paying the highest taxes in the nation's history. Hawaii has long been known as a state with one of the highest tax burdens both for businesses and individuals. That is why I have signed the Americans for Tax Reform." (votesmart.org)
"Lower taxes." (camcavasso.com)

Unknown Position

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

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

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Yes

Economy: Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?

Yes

"Hundreds of companies have given employees bonuses because of the lower corporate tax rate." (www.cam4congress.com)

Education: Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?

"As US Senator I will defend Hawaii's right to set our own education course without Federal Intervention and will send Hawaii all the support I can to defend that right." (votesmart.org)
"This is unacceptable. I pledge to oppose all such initiatives while promoting education reform that provides new and innovative opportunities for Hawaiiâs students." (camcavasso.com)

Unknown Position

Energy & Environment: Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Energy & Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

"I believe that environmental abuses are best solved through legal means at state and local levels, not by "one size fits all" legislation from Washington." (votesmart.org)
"I support energy development that reduces our dependence on foreign oil and I oppose cap and trade ("tax") legislation because of its false premise of global warming as well as the financial burden it places on our economy." (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

Guns: Do you generally support gun-control legislation?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

Immigration: Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

Immigration: Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

Marijuana: Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

National Security: Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

Unknown Position

National Security: Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?

Unknown Position

Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

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.

Hawaii Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test

Abortion Issues

Pro-life		a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
No		b) Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy?
No		c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes		d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
Yes		e) Should federal subsidies be prohibited from being used for abortion procedures?
		f) Other or expanded principles

Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues

1) SpendingIndicate 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.2) 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
		b) Arts
		c) Defense
		1) Intelligence operations
		2) Military hardware
		3) National missile defense
		4) Salary and benefits for active duty personnel
		5) Programs to improve troop retention rates
		6) Research and development of new weapons
		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
		a) Alcohol taxes
		b) Capital gains taxes
		c) Cigarette taxes
		d) Corporate taxes
		e) Gasoline taxes
		f) Income taxes (low-income families)
		g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
		h) Income taxes (high-income families)
		i) Other or expanded categories
Yes		3) Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax?
Yes		4) Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year?
No		5) Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy?
Return to principle of private enterprise, innitiative, responsibility and minimum Federal Government control.

Business and Employment Issues

Yes		a) Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security?
Yes		b) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
No		c) Do you support increasing the federal minimum wage?
Yes		d) Do you support the ability of workers to unionize?
		e) Do you support federal funding for job-training programs that retrain displaced workers?
I support the right to work and the secret ballot.

Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues

Yes		a) Do you support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns?
No		b) Should Congress regulate indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes		c) Do you support removing all contribution limits on federal campaigns?
		d) Should candidates for federal office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
Yes		e) Do you support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations?
		f) Do you support limiting the President's ability to define how legislation is applied through the use of signing statements?
		g) Other or expanded principles

Crime Issues

Yes		a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes		b) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related training and job-placement assistance when released?
Yes		c) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment?
		d) Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders?
		e) Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs?
		f) Other or expanded principles

Education Issues

No		a) Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students?
No		b) Do you support federal funding for universal pre-K programs?
No		c) Do you support federal funding for charter schools?
No		d) Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers?
No		e) Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid?
Education except for Military academies should be the responsibility of State, County, local and families. Federal controls of education is inappropriate.

Environment and Energy Issues

		b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
		c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system?
		d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles?
		e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas?
		f) Do you support federal funding for the development of alternative energy?
		g) Do you support the development of nuclear reactors?
		h) Other or expanded principles
No		a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
Campbell Cavasso. Issue Position: Energy for the 21st Century. "I believe the earth, oceans, and sky have an amazing capacity to continue to provide for the energy needs of this century through the wise and prudent application of continuing innovations in technology. I support diversification of energy development technologies for reasons of economic growth, environmental protection, and national defense. I support free market economic principles reflecting sound business practices as the best way to provide for our energy needs, not political agendas or federal mandates. Energy public policy decision making must include proven economic feasibility, environmental impacts, and recognition that energy requirements vary greatly depending upon the application, e.g., transportation, home heating, power grid generation, etc., and include state level participation. I support energy development that reduces our dependence on foreign oil and I oppose cap and trade ("tax") legislation because of its false premise of global warming as well as the financial burden it places on our economy." (votesmart.org) Campbell Cavasso. Issue Position: Environmental Stewardship. "I am a "constitutional conservative" in my commitment to carefully steward the environment which includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the oceans and lands we depend upon for our human sustenance. Only with diligent care will we continue to enjoy the produce of these "ecological gardens". I support common sense free market development of all natural resources in a manner that values long term consequences over short term benefits. I believe that environmental abuses are best solved through legal means at state and local levels, not by "one size fits all" legislation from Washington. A person's property should not be seized without proper compensation, even when the best interests of the general population are considered. I oppose national taxes of any kind on energy or mining activities upon which our economy is dependent. I deplore recent conclusions by international government entities based upon political agendas rather than scientifically verifiable evidence." (votesmart.org)

Gun Issues

		b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns?
		c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?
		d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles?
		e) Other or expanded principles
No		a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Campbell Cavasso. Hawaii Free Press: Former Rep. Cam Cavasso unveils campaign platform in challenge to Inouye. 11 July 2010. "I will only vote for Supreme Court nominees who are strict constructionists. James Madison said that our greatest source of security as a republic was in having an "inviolable respect for the Constitution and the rule of law". As a United States Senator, I will fight against the confirmation of jurists who seek to legislate from the bench or who seek to use their political ideology to infringe upon the basic Constitutional rights of Americans. That includes my belief that the 2nd Amendment cannot be misinterpreted in any way to diminish a citizen's right to protect themselves." (hawaiifreepress.com)

Health Issues

		b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
		c) Should the federal government expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts?
		d) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
		e) Do you support relaxing regulations on the importation of prescription drugs?
		f) Other or expanded principles
Unknown Position		a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option?
Campbell Cavasso. Hawaii Free Press: Former Rep. Cam Cavasso unveils campaign platform in challenge to Inouye. 11 July 2010. "I will support a complete repeal of the recently passed health care reform bill on both Constitutional and economic grounds. This bill alone established over 130 new government agencies and it will increase costs, limit consumer choice, and ultimately degrade the quality of medical care in this country." (hawaiifreepress.com) Campbell Cavasso. Issue Position: Improving Our Health Care. "Health care public policy must be framed in terms of improving people's health, not simply debating the costs of various insurance options. That is the fight I want to champion; encouraging and incentivizing a healthier nation. Until that occurs an aging population will place even greater strains upon the nation's health care systems; and consume a greater portion of the economy. At the same time, I recognize that health costs are excessive and would sponsor legislation to allow interstate shopping for health insurance, and provide tort reform to reduce costs to physicians who have to practice defensive medicine. I would also sponsor a panel of health care professionals to deal with fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid and then work to actually implement their suggestions. I would support the idea of providing Medicare enrollees with vouchers and letting them choose a health plan of their choice. This may be the only way to protect seniors from health care rationing which will come from the health care legislation recently passed." (votesmart.org)

Immigration Issues

		b) Do you support decreasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country?
		c) Do you support establishing English as the official national language?
		d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
		e) Other or expanded principles
Unknown Position		a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
Campbell Cavasso. 2010. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Responded: "We must welcome immigrants to our country under lawful means. We should also welcome legal, documented temporary workers as needed. The laws against illegal immigration must be enforced firmly. The road to citizenship must instill an understanding of our values and culture." to the question: "3) How should illegal immigration be controlled?" (elections.staradvertiser.com)

International Policy Issues

		b) Do you support increasing military assistance for Afghanistan?
		c) Do you support increasing economic development assistance for Afghanistan?
		d) Should the United States continue to strike suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan?
		e) Do you support granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States?
		f) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state?
		g) Do you support increasing sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy United Nations mandates?
		h) Do you support the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq?
		i) Do you support the United States' involvement in free trade agreements?
		j) Other or expanded principles
Unknown Position		a) Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan?
Campbell Cavasso. 2010. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Responded: "The US must fully support our military in its mission to defeat terrorists and those responsible for 9/11/ We must finish the mission and give the country back to its people." to the question: "4) Should the U.S. remain in Afghanistan?" (elections.staradvertiser.com)

Social Issues

		b) Do you support allowing openly-gay men and women to serve in the United States military?
		c) Do you support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research?
		d) Should the federal government end affirmative action programs?
		e) Other or expanded principles
Yes		a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
Campbell Cavasso. Issue Position: Family and Culture. "Traditional social and family values are under attack. Agenda-driven activists and their allies in Congress are seeking to redefine family, marriage, and the sanctity of life for both the unborn and the elderly. Children are growing up in a nation with fractured families, sexual disease and commercial exploitation. We must stand up for the values and traditions upon which America was built. I will fight for laws that protect our children, our families, the unborn, and the elderly. Let me be your voice in the United States Senate and together we will restore the conscience of our nation, and we will strengthen and protect America." (votesmart.org)

Legislative Priorities

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.

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Cam Cavasso's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

Issue Positions

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.

Abortion Issues

Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues

Business and Employment Issues

Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues

Crime Issues

Education Issues

Environment and Energy Issues

Gun Issues

Health Issues

Immigration Issues

International Policy Issues

Social Issues

Legislative Priorities

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