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Richard Stallings' 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.

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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.

Richard Stallings has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2014 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Idaho Congressional Election 2014 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I generally support Pro-life except in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother's health. Which includes not only physical but mental health also.
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
I would support sensible cuts to the defense budget as we are no longer involved in major world wars, but should continue to prepare for the latest forms of threats and 21st century type of war (terrorist attacks, internet hacking, guerrilla tactics). I would support taxes that increase the amount that higher income families must pay. By returning to the Clinton era we would be much better off.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I believe that the Citizens United decisions are ruining our system, I believe all contributions should be listed, and contributors identified so people know who is contributing to our political system. As transparent a system as possible. People deserve to know who is contributing and supporting their representation.
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
I use to be a death penalty advocate, but given the number of people on death row who have been found innocent and the cost, my position is not so concrete as before. I find that in some cases it should still be an option and should be taken on a case by case basis.
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering taxes as a way of promoting growth in the economy?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
I believe that the government is in a position where they can create incentives or encourage industries that the market system may not. For example alternate energy such as solar power or wind power would not be as viable without government incentives to help jump start those sectors. Once the markets and industries have become established and stable those subsidies should stop.
Yes Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
While the states have the primary responsibility of education the Federal Government can play the role of an equalizer and it can also pursue education goals in fields such as science and math that some states may not see as important. A child moving from Idaho to Oregon should be at the same level as their new classmates.
No Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
No Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Given my current understanding of the Keystone XL pipeline my answer is no, but if environmental safeguards are strengthened and the economic impact to the Mid-West, no negative economic effects on the communities, could be more guaranteed I could be convinced otherwise.
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
If industry or states won't regulate regarding emissions standards then federal regulations are the only way to do so.
Yes Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
I strongly support the 2nd amendment and in fact own guns, but I do support background checks on all persons and limiting the size of magazines. I oppose the Idaho legislation that allows guns in schools.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
I support the act but know it is not perfect and needs to be improved upon.
No Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
So many of the undocumented population has been here for several years and some of them for their entire lives. To send them back to their "home" country is in reality sending them to a completely foreign place. For some it could mean losing the life they have built in this country over the years and for others it means putting their lives in peril. We cannot gamble with the lives of human beings. They have intertwined themselves in our economy so much so that I believe we would suffer and attempts to send them back would be futile.
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
The Supreme Court has decided that all people are entitled to their rights and as a strong advocate of equal rights I believe that the opportunity to marry should be provided to all people.
Yes Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
No Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
I do not believe in the drone attacks that the Obama administration has carried out, but I do believe we should track suspected terrorist wherever they may be. However if by tracking you are suggesting they be killed by drone attacks, I am not supportive.
No Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Maintain Status b) Arts
Slightly Decrease c) Defense
Greatly Increase d) Education
Slightly Increase e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Slightly Increase h) Medical Research
Slightly Increase i) Scientific Research
Maintain Status j) Space exploration
Maintain Status k) United Nations
Maintain Status l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase b) Corporate taxes
Slightly Increase c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Slightly Increase d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Slightly Increase e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Maintain Status f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Increase h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Maintain Status i) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status j) Payroll taxes
k) Other or expanded categories
Raise the minimum wage; this will not cost the federal government but save, because it reduces use of food stamps and housing subsidies and raise millions out of poverty. Immigration reform; people should no longer live in the shadows. DREAMers should be given citizenship immediately and those that entered illegally should be faced with a fine or penalty but a pathway to citizenship as well. Women's rights, reproductive options should be decided by a woman and her doctor at the same time women should be seen as equals and should receive the same pay for equal work.

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