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Steve Waterworth'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.

Steve Waterworth refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

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 2012.

  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should always be legal."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should always be legal."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Prohibit public funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate or perform abortions."
  • Steve J. Waterworth. Chicago Tribune: Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. Responded "Our mission in Afghanistan should be to leave as soon as practicable." to the question: "What role should the U.S. play in world affairs? In essence: Tell us your foreign policy. / Specifically, what should the U.S. mission be in Afghanistan?" (elections.chicagotribune.com)
  • Steve J. Waterworth. WJBC: 2012 Candidates for Congressional District 18 Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. Responded "I certainly do support disengaging from Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden has received his just reward thanks to President Obama. It's time to leave a war that turned into a nation building process in the middle of a religious civil war. It's impossible to help a country that won't help its self." to the question: "Do you support the troop draw down in Afghanistan and the exit strategy?" (wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net)
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "e) Should the United States increase military support to Afghanistan?"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Slightly Decrease" for: "Using the key, indicate what federal funding levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category, you can use a number more than once. [?] c) Defense"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Maintain Status" for: "Using the key, indicate what federal funding levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category. c) Defense"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "5) Do you support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent?" Budgetary, Spending, and Taxes, Part 3: Taxes (B) Other or expanded principles: "Decrease the foreign trade deficit and the national debt will eventually come into balance."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "5) Do you support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent?"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Slightly Increase" for: "Using the key above, indicate what federal tax levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category. d) Over $150,000"
  • Chris Kaergard. PJ Star: Easton man will oppose Schock. 13 December 2011. "Waterworth said he also is concerned about the distribution of income in the country, with "the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer." (www.pjstar.com)
  • Steve J. Waterworth. WJBC: 2012 Candidates for Congressional District 18 Questionnaire. Responded "I certainly support the Warren Buffet rule, sometimes also called the Romney Tax Rule." to the question: "What are your thoughts on President Obama's proposed Buffet Rule for Taxes?" (wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards for and testing of public school students."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Maintain Status" for: "Using the key, indicate what federal funding levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category, you can use a number more than once. [?] d) Education"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards for and testing of public school students."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "j) Providing education is not a responsibility of the federal government."
  • Steve J. Waterworth. NBC Chicago: Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. Responded "My priority for education is for the federal government to more of a facilitator at the local level and less of a controller. Less testing, less concern about standards and certainly less concern about accountability of teachers. Education should be controlled more by states and local districts. A diverse education system is more important than national standards." to the question: "What role should the federal government play in public education?" (elections.chicagotribune.com)
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Maintain Status" for: "Using the key, indicate what federal funding levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category. d) Education"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "h) Support opening a select portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration."
  • Rachel Wells. Herald Review: Clerk faces felon in Democrat U.S. House primary in 18th District. 28 February 2012. "He said he remains concerned about the nation's dependence on foreign oil [¦] 'When you become energy independent ... that means you keep wealth in America,' Waterworth said [¦] He said he disagrees with the December 2011 expiration of an ethanol tax credit. 'We're still so dependent on foreign oil, that should not have happened,' Waterworth said." (www.herald-review.com)
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)."
  • Steve J. Waterworth. NBC Chicago: Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. Responded "Instead of importing oil and exporting wealth; America has all the resources it needs for energy independence [¦] Further we need extensive development of our huge supplies of methane, solar and wind energy [¦] Americans aren't addicted to oil, they're addicted to the mobility that oil gives them. Oil can be replaced, must be replaced if Americans are to keep the standard of living they're used to." to the question: "What are your priorities for U.S. energy production and conservation? How can the U.S. reduce its reliance on foreign oil?" (elections.chicagotribune.com)
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "i) Support opening a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Strengthen emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "l) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Support Clear Skies Act to reduce power plant emissions by setting a national cap on pollutants."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "m) Support the Kyoto Protocol to limit global warming."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "h) Strengthen emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "l) Support the U.S. re-entering the Kyoto treaty process to limit global warming."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "k) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits."
  • Steve J. Waterworth. Chicago Tribune: Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. "Greater, much greater tax incentives for the production of non-carbon based energy. Pay for it by cap and trade." (elections.chicagotribune.com)
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "h) Require a license for gun possession."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Require a license for gun possession."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Reauthorize the ban on the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Maintain and strengthen the current level of enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "a) Renew the ban on the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Maintain and strengthen the current level of enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government."
  • Steve J. Waterworth. Chicago Tribune: Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. Responded "Absolutely no repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." to the question: "Do you favor repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2010? What changes, if any, would you support in the health care law?" (elections.chicagotribune.com)
  • Steve J. Waterworth. Facebook: Wall. 26 March 2012. "How many lives have been saved, how many homes saved from medical bankruptcy since the Affordable Healthcare Act became law?? Thousands. Thank you President Barack Obama, the real pro-life president." (www.facebook.com)
  • Steve J. Waterworth. WJBC: 2012 Candidates for Congressional District 18 Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. Responded "I do approve of the Affordable Health Care Act. Universal Healthcare is the Christian thing for a great country like America to do [¦] I wouldn't change the law at this time, but it will certainly be changed many times as it slowly, too slowly takes effect. Fortunately, so far, it's been very successful as it begins to save money and works for America." to the question: "Do you approve of the recent healthcare reforms? Are there portions you approve of or would you like the whole law repealed? What would you like to keep and what would you change?" (wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net)
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Support amnesty for certain illegal immigrants who already reside in the United States."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "e) Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working in the United States."
  • Steve J. Waterworth. Chicago Tribune: Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Questionnaire. 1 October 2012. Responded "Immigrants legal and illegal are an important resource for the good of America. The Dream Act should be implemented [¦] For sure 12 million illegals are not going to be deported. President Reagan gave illegal amnesty and George W. Bush was also going to until 9-11. Except for illegals who are dangerous criminals I'm inclined to follow Reagan's successful program." to the question: "How should the U.S. government reform its immigration system, and how should it treat the 12 million immigrants who are here illegally? Please be specific." (elections.chicagotribune.com)
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "k) Should marriage be restricted to a union only between a man and a woman?"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "i) Do you support a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and woman?"
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "j) Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?"
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2006 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government."
  • Steve Waterworth. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Illinois Congressional Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves."
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.
b) Abortions should always be legal.
X c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Other or expanded principles

Using the key, indicate what federal funding levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category, you can use a number more than once.Budget Priorities

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Maintain Status b) Arts
Slightly Decrease c) Defense
Maintain Status d) Education
Greatly Increase e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Maintain Status h) Law enforcement
Maintain Status i) Medical research
Slightly Increase j) National parks
Slightly Increase k) Public health services
Slightly Increase l) Scientific research
Maintain Status m) Space exploration programs
Maintain Status n) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Maintain Status o) Welfare
Slightly Increase p) Emergency preparedness
q) Other or expanded categories

Defense Spending

Slightly Decrease a) Armed forces personnel training
Slightly Decrease b) Intelligence operations
Slightly Decrease c) Military hardware
Slightly Increase d) Modernization of weaponry and equipment
Slightly Decrease e) National missile defense
Slightly Increase f) Pay for active duty personnel
Maintain Status g) Programs to improve troop retention rates
Slightly Decrease h) Research and development of new weapons
Maintain Status i) Troop and equipment readiness
j) Other or expanded categories

Using the key above, indicate what federal tax levels you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category.TaxesIncome Taxes:Family IncomeRetiree IncomeOther Taxes:Deductions/Credits:

a) Less than $25,000
b) $25,000-$75,000
c) $75,000-$150,000
d) Over $150,000
e) Other or expanded categories
f) Over $40,000
g) Other or expanded categories
a) Alcohol taxes
b) Capital gains taxes
c) Cigarette taxes
d) Corporate taxes
e) Gasoline taxes
f) Inheritance taxes
g) Other or expanded categories
a) Charitable contributions
b) Child tax credit
c) Earned income tax credit
d) Medical expense deduction
e) Mortgage deduction
f) Student loan credit
g) Other or expanded categories
No 4) Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax?
No 5) Do you support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent?
7) Other or expanded principles
Decrease the foreign trade deficit and the national debt will eventually come into balance.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.

X a) Support public taxpayer funding for federal candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
b) Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
c) Prohibit Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions to candidates for federal office.
d) Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
e) Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns and parties.
f) Require Section 527 organizations to register with the Federal Election Commission as Political Action Committees.
Undecided g) Do you support instant run-off voting?
No h) Should Election Day be a national holiday?
No i) Do you support a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and woman?
j) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.

a) Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
X b) Eliminate the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with educational, 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.
X e) Reduce prison sentences for those who commit non-violent crimes.
f) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
X g) Impose stricter penalties for those convicted of corporate crimes.
X h) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding drugs.

X a) Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
X b) Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
X c) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
X d) Allow doctors to recommend marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
X e) Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
f) Eliminate federal funding for programs associated with the "war on drugs."
X g) Support a federal law to standardize testing and penalties for steroid use in professional sports.
h) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

a) Support national standards for and testing of public school students.
b) Allow parents to use vouchers, (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any public school.
c) Allow parents to use vouchers, (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any private or religious school.
d) Allow teachers and professionals to receive authorization and funding to establish charter schools.
X e) Reward teachers with merit pay for working in low-income schools.
X f) Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings, infrastructure, technology).
X g) Support affirmative action in public college admissions.
X h) Increase funding of programs such as Pell grants and Stafford loans to help students pay for college.
i) Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
j) Other or expanded principles

1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding affirmative action.

a) Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X b) Reduce government regulation of the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
c) Provide tax credits or grants to businesses that offer child care services to employees.
d) Encourage employers to offer flex-time scheduling, comp-time, and unpaid leave for family emergencies.
e) Eliminate all federal programs designed to reduce unemployment.
X f) Increase the federal minimum wage.
X g) Support the right of workers to strike without fear of being permanently replaced.
X h) Include sexual orientation in federal anti-discrimination laws.
i) Other or expanded principles
X a) The federal government should consider race and gender in government contracting decisions.
b) The federal government should discontinue affirmative action programs.
X c) The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.
d) 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 Clear Skies Act to reduce power plant emissions by setting a national cap on pollutants.
X d) Require states to compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses of privately-owned land.
e) Relax logging restrictions on federal lands.
f) Relax standards on federal lands to allow increased recreational usage.
g) Support increased development of traditional energy resources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil).
X h) Strengthen emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
i) Support opening a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
X j) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
X k) Support the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
l) Allow energy producers to trade pollution credits.
X m) Support the Kyoto Protocol to limit global warming.
n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.

a) Reauthorize the ban on the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
b) Maintain and strengthen the current level of enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
f) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
g) Require a license for gun possession.
h) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health care.

a) Providing health care is not a responsibility of the federal government.
X b) Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income.
c) Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts.
d) Establish limits on the amount of punitive damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
e) Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
f) Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.
g) Support automatic enrollment of children in federal health care programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.
h) Support stem cell research on existing lines of stem cells.
X i) Allow laboratories to create new lines of stem cells for additional research.
j) 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 that would enable illegal immigrants to work in the United States legally.
d) Relax restrictions barring legal immigrants from using government funded social programs (e.g. public housing, food stamps).
e) Support amnesty for illegal immigrants already working in the United States.
f) Other or expanded principles

International AidIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding United States economic assistance.

X a) Aid should be granted to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
X b) Aid should be granted to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States.
c) Aid should be eliminated for any nation with documented human rights abuses.
d) International Aid programs should be scaled back and eventually eliminated.
e) Other or expanded principles

International Policy1) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the Middle East.2) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Central and East Asia.3) Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the United Nations.

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 withdraw its troops from Iraq?
d) Should the United States send more troops to Iraq?
f) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Should the United States use diplomatic and economic pressure to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program?
No b) Should the United States use military force to dismantle the North Korean nuclear weapons program?
No c) Should the United States remove the North Korean government from power?
No d) Should the United States increase financial support to Afghanistan?
No e) Should the United States increase military support to Afghanistan?
f) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Should the United States maintain its financial support of the United Nations?
b) Should the United States decrease its financial support of the United Nations?
Yes c) Should the United States commit troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions?
d) Other or expanded principles
Yes 4) Should the United States lift the travel ban to Cuba?
No 5) Should the United States increase its financial support to Colombia to combat "the war on drugs?"
Yes 6) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund distribution of contraceptives?
Yes 7) Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund abstinence education?
8) Other or expanded principles
Because of the policies of the Bush administration, our military is in a nation building situation, where it can win the war, but not the peace and our abrupt leaving means anarchy and little chance for a long term democracy. We need to immediately disengage the insurgency, pull back to secure areas where we provide logistical support for Iraq forces as we gradually lower the number of soldiers in Iraq as the situation warrants.

International TradeIndicate which principles you support (if any) regarding international trade.

Undecided 1) Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
Undecided 2) Do you support the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)?
Undecided 3) Do you support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
Undecided 4) Do you support continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
Yes 5) Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation) status with the United States?
No 6) Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?
Yes 7) Should trade agreements include provisions to address environmental concerns and to protect workers' rights?
8) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding national security.

Undecided a) Do you support using military tribunals to try suspected terrorists when ordinary civilian courts are deemed inappropriate or impractical?
No b) Should the United States grant law enforcement agencies greater discretion to read mail and email, tap phones, and conduct random searches to prevent future terrorist attacks?
Yes c) Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country?
No d) Should the federal government increase funding to states and cities for homeland security?
Yes e) Do you support the prohibition of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners in U.S. custody?
No f) Do you support a policy of pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed to be a threat to U.S. national security?
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding Social Security.

a) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
b) Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms contracted by the government.
c) Invest a portion of Social Security assets collectively in stocks and bonds instead of United States Treasury securities.
d) Increase the payroll tax to better finance Social Security in its current form.
e) Lower the annual cost-of-living increases.
f) Raise the retirement age for individual eligibility to receive full Social Security benefits.
Remove the penalty for widows & widowers when they marry.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding technology and communication.

a) Collect taxes on commercial Internet transactions.
b) Continue the moratorium on Internet taxation.
c) Implement government regulation of Internet content.
d) Support government mandates to curtail violent and sexual content on television.
X e) Support strict penalties for Internet crimes (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
f) Support legislation to detail how personal information can be collected and used on the Internet.
X g) Regulating the Internet is not a responsibility of the federal government.
h) 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) Increase funding for child care programs.
X c) Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
d) Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
e) Abolish all federal welfare programs.
X f) Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
g) Other or expanded principles
Priority One: National energy independence from imported oil. Using tax incentives mandate the conversion of today's vehicles to hybrid electric vehicles that use bio-fuels such a E-85 and soy diesel and are capable of having their batteries recharged at home by solar, wind, nuclear and coal generated electricity. Priority Two: Universal health care for Americans. Fund a system using a national sales tax; thereby greatly helping all American business' compete in the international and domestic arena.

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