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Richard Secula's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Richard Secula 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.

  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should always be legally available."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion. Other or expanded principles: "ABORTION IS A PERSONAL MORAL DECISION. GOVERNMENT HAS NO RIGHT TO DECIDE MORALS. HOWEVER ABORTING A VIABLE FETUS IS MURDER AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. "
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2004 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "b) Abortions should always be legal."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Abortions should always be illegal."
  • Richard Secula. 2012 US Congress District 12 Voter's Guide. 09 October 2012. Responded "Bring our troops home to secure our borders instead of the borders of foreign countries. " to the question: "IMMIGRATION: What changes, if any, do you support to immigration policy?" (onyourballot.vote411.org)
  • Richard Secula. Issue Position: Troops. Home. Now. "American soldiers are dying in Iraq. They are dying in Afghanistan. They are stationed in 50 other countries around the world. Our war spending is approaching a trillion dollars. These wars have been brought to us by lies, NO WMD, 9/11 sponsors are yet to be determined. Soon IRAN, what's next." (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Secula. 2012 US Congress District 12 Voter's Guide. 09 October 2012. Responded "In order to reduce the deficit we MUST put the federal government on a diet. I would like to see a dramatic reduction in spending but realistically an annual reduction of 5% of current spending until income equals expenses would be a start. Simpson Bowles with an annual reduction of 5%." to the question: "FEDERAL BUDGET: How will you address the federal deficit?" (onyourballot.vote411.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Richard Secula. Issue Position: Stop Spending Our Money."Michiganders have cut spending in this poor economy. Government should do the same." (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Secula. Issue Position: Stop Spending Our Grandchildren's Money. "Since our Federal Government can't scrape by on the $2.5+ trillion that they take from us every year, we've accumulated a national debt that is approaching $10 trillion, or $30,000+ per person. We're paying interest on this debt, and someday soon the interest rate will be much higher then we will be able to pay, what then? Act now to cut spending, and rescue our grandchildren from a mountain of debt." (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Support national standards and testing of public school students."
  • 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.
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Checked SUPPORT for: "e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns." Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues. Other or expanded principles: "LAWS DO NOT CONTROL OUTLAWS MICH CONSTITUTION GURANTEES RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE - OBEY THE CONSTITUTION"
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2000 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns."
  • Richard Secula. Project Vote Smart: 2002 Michigan State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "h) Require a license for gun possession."
  • Richard Secula. Issue Position: Restore the Bill of Rights. "I fully support the Second Amendment, and will not support any restrictions on our rights to defend ourselves." (votesmart.org)
  • Richard Secula. 2012 US Congress District 12 Voter's Guide. 09 October 2012. Responded "Let consumer get a 100% federal tax credit for purchasing private health insurance. Instead of requiring insurers to provide "mandated coverage" let individuals purchase only the coverage they need, including catastrophic coverage and health saving accounts." to the question: "HEALTH CARE: What is your position on affordable health care for all?" (onyourballot.vote411.org)
  • Richard Secula. 2012 US Congress District 12 Voter's Guide. 09 October 2012. Responded "Do not provide incentives for people to violate our laws. Bring our troops home to secure our borders instead of the borders of foreign countries. " to the question: "IMMIGRATION: What changes, if any, do you support to immigration policy?" (onyourballot.vote411.org)
  • 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.
  • 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.
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.
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.
e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
X g) Other or expanded principles
ABORTION IS A PERSONAL MORAL DECISION - GOVT. SHOULD NOT FUND.

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels (#1-6) you will support for the following general categories. Select one level per category.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels (#1-6) you will support. Select one level per tax.

Slightly Decrease a) Education (Higher)
Slightly Decrease b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Decrease c) Environment
Slightly Decrease d) Health care
Slightly Decrease e) Law enforcement
Slightly Decrease f) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Slightly Decrease g) Welfare
Slightly Decrease h) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Decrease a) Alcohol taxes
Eliminate b) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease c) Cigarette taxes
Eliminate d) Corporate taxes
Eliminate e) Estate taxes
Slightly Decrease f) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease g) Income taxes
Slightly Decrease h) Property taxes
Greatly Decrease i) Sales taxes
Slightly Decrease j) Vehicle taxes
k) Other or expanded categories
No l) Should Internet sales be taxed?
m) Other or expanded principles
SPENDING NEEDS TO BE GREATLY REDUCED OVER TIME - A STEADY DECLINE WOULD BE MOST MANAGABLE.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.d) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?

No a) Do you support the current limit of two consecutive four-year terms for Michigan governors?
No b) Do you support the current limit of three two-year terms for Michigan state representatives?
No c) Do you support the current limit of two four-year terms for Michigan state senators?
Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) PAC
No 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Parties
Yes e) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
No f) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Yes g) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying, and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Yes h) Do you support prohibiting the reporting of media exit polling results until all polling locations in Michigan are closed?
Yes i) Should Michigan recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
No j) Should Michigan restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
"MARRIAGE" CAN ONLY BE SANCTIONED BY RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES - THE STATE HAS AUTHORITY OVER CIVIL MATTERS - NOT RELIGIOUS MATTERS

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

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Implement the death penalty in Michigan.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
d) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X e) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X f) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
g) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X h) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
i) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
j) Increase funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent and to respond to terrorist attacks.
k) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
X b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any public school.
X c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
d) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
e) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
f) Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
g) Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
X h) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
i) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
j) Increase funding for Head Start programs.
k) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
l) Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
m) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
n) Other or expanded principles

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity, or gender be taken into account in state agencies’ decisions on:

a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today’s job market.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
c) Allocate urban redevelopment grants to Michigan cities in order to attract and retain young workers. (Cool Cities initiative)
d) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
e) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
f) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
g) Include sexual orientation in Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws.
h) Increase the state minimum wage.
X i) Prohibit local governments from enacting a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage.
j) Other or expanded principles
No a) Public employment
No b) State college and university admissions
No c) State contracting
No d) Should state colleges and universities receive funding if they use affirmative action in their admission policies?
I SUPPORT MI CIVIL RIGHTS INITIATIVE - GOVT SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY CITIZENS

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and oil).
c) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
d) Support funding for open space preservation.
e) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
f) Prohibit the hunting of mourning doves in Michigan.
g) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X b) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X d) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
e) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
f) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
g) Support current licensing requirements for gun possession.
h) Other or expanded principles

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

a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
X b) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
X c) Limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
d) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
e) Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
X f) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
X g) Legalize physician assisted suicide in Michigan.
X h) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare and poverty.

X a) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
b) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
c) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
d) Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
e) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
f) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
g) Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
h) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
X i) Other or expanded principles
a) REQUIRE IDENTIFICATION OF FATHER TO RECIEVE WELFARE. REQUIRE FATHER TO WORK & PARTICIPATE IN CHILD CARE.
Please explain in a total of 75 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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