Steve Susman's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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Due to a later filing deadline or other circumstances delaying entry into our database, Steve Susman did not receive the 2012 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 Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "e) Should federal subsidies be prohibited from being used for abortion procedures?" Abortion Issues Other or expanded principles: "Regardless of my personal views and opinions on this subject, I will lobby for this issue to be returned to the state level. It is not the business of the Federal Government to mandate these types of laws, that power rests with the people."
- Steve R. Susman. Undoctrination.com - I Can See NO-vember Coming. 14 August 2010. "It's very simple. If it's not listed in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, the Feds have no power to do it. Whatever 'it' may be. Despite my personal opinions on some things, that's really what I feel needs to happen. Say on issues like abortion, gay marriage, or marijuana, something of that nature, that power needs to be pushed back to the Sovereign States and the People." (votesmart.org)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Pro-life" for: "a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?" Abortion Issues Other or expanded principles: "Regardless of my personal views and opinions on this subject, I will lobby for this issue to be returned to the state level. It is not the business of the Federal Government to mandate these types of laws, that power rests with the people."
- Steve R. Susman. Video: Steve Susman Fundraiser Speech. 8 October 2010. "With regards to Afghanistan, how can we be in a country, fighting a concept for 10 years? In a country, in a nation that is so impoverished, these people are practically eating dirt over there, and there's a $5 million dollar reward for Osama Bin Laden. You mean to tell me, you want me to believe, that somebody can't say, 'Hey, he's over there?' I don't believe it. Why? Because Haliburton is supplying all of the stuff for our military guys, and doing a bad job of that." (youtu.be)
- Steve R. Susman. Video: David Smith/Steve Susman @ Libertyfest 2010. 19 September 2010. "If we're going to spend 3 billion dollars every week overseas in lands we don't belong in, well, thats kinda wrong to me." (youtu.be)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "b) Do you support increasing military assistance for Afghanistan?" International Policy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Free trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA and GATT are dangerous to our sovereignty and economy. We need to stop policing the world, and end nationbuilding. Both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are illegal since they were not declared by Congress. The only people that benefit from these wars are:(1) The financial institutions financing both sides and (2) Halliburton/KBR who are vastly overcharging us for the substandard services given to our military. This is a disgrace, and is bankrupting our nation."
- Steve R. Susman. Chron.com/Texas on the Potomac. On the issues: Steve Susman, Libertarian, 22nd Congressional District. 7 October 2010. Responded "The Federal Government should cease all military operations in the Middle East and employ our armed forces to protect our country as well" to the question: "Border security: Do you support the current deployment of about 1,200 National Guard troops along the U.S.-Mexico border? What additional resources should the federal government provide to improve border security?" Responded "[...] if we had not wasted trillions of dollars in Iraq on false pretenses, and continue to waste even more in Afghanistan, this point would be moot" to the question: "NASA: Congress was unable to overturn President Obama's decision to end NASA's back-to-the-moon Constellation program. NASA's new goals for future human missions include asteroids and Mars. To what extent do these distant goals jeopardize congressional support for the space program?" (blog.chron.com)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan?" International Policy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Free trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA and GATT are dangerous to our sovereignty and economy. We need to stop policing the world, and end nationbuilding. Both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are illegal since they were not declared by Congress. The only people that benefit from these wars are:(1) The financial institutions financing both sides and (2) Halliburton/KBR who are vastly overcharging us for the substandard services given to our military. This is a disgrace, and is bankrupting our nation."
- Steve R. Susman. Video: Steve Susman and David Smith Meet and Greet in Nassau Bay. 31 July 2010. "We also need to bring these boys and girls home from overseas because this billion dollars a week is killing our economy. Seventy-three percent of the people in Afghanistan, in a recent poll, do not want us over there. They do not trust us, so why, why, why are we wasting precious lives, precious dollar, over there?" (youtu.be)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Maintain Status" for: "c) Defense" 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. Other or expanded principles: "The United Nations, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Corporation, and the Bilderberg Group are direct threats to the sovereignty and economy of the United States of America. The Bilderberg Group in particular should be forever prohibited from conducting any meetings on US soil. All US Government officials found in attendance in violation of the Logan Act shall be punished to the full extent the law allows."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Maintain Status" for: "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. c) Defense" 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. Other or expanded principles: "The United Nations, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Corporation, and the Bilderberg Group are direct threats to the sovereignty and economy of the United States of America. The Bilderberg Group in particular should be forever prohibited from conducting any meetings on US soil. All US Government officials found in attendance in violation of the Logan Act shall be punished to the full extent the law allows."
- Steve R. Susman. Undoctrination.com - I Can See NO-vember Coming. 14 August 2010. "We need to go back to a defensive force and move away from our current offensive force. What happened to legally declaring war? [¦] We shouldn't be rebuilding or occupying anyone. We don't need to go absolutely everywhere and we don't need to be based everywhere and helping out absolutely everyone and police every nation [¦] We're fighting a "concept'. That's what terrorism is. We've been in Afghanistan for nearly an entire decade and what do we have to show for it? You expect us to believe that we can't win a fight against such an impoverished insurgency? You say in that impoverished nation that there's a $5 million bounty on Osama Bin Laden's head and no one has given him up? Come on. As for the possibility on the horizon of "going to war" with Iran, those people who live here HATE their oppressive government. Why do we need to bother invading? [¦] We need to bring these folks home. We need to concentrate on getting our own house in order before we even think about getting involved anywhere else." (votesmart.org)
- Steve R. Susman. Issue Position: Foreign Policy. 3 January 2010. "It is not the duty of the United States of America to police the globe. It is our duty to protect ourselves from enemies foreign and domestic. It is not our job to build or rebuild nations. The two illegal wars that we are participating in are taking a costly toll on our fine military and our economy." (votesmart.org)
- Steve R. Susman. Steve Susman answers the Liberty Candidate questions:. 27 Feburary 2010. "I feel that we should not be involved in policing other nations and/or nation building. We need to stop meddling in the affairs of other governments. If they ask for help, we should oblige, without committing ourselves long term. We have people in great need of help in our own nation, we should not be wasting trillions of dollars in other nations. Our military should not sacrifice our security for the sake of some other leader's selfish interests. I have family in these theaters and this is a very sore point for me. It is time to bring our people home, sink or swim for the nations in question." (www.liberty-candidates.org)
- Steve R. Susman. Steve Susman: Liberty Candidate for U.S. House, Texas. 16 October 2011. Responded: "The Constitution provides for a Navy, not a standing army" to the question: "Should the U.S. maintain its standing army?" (libertycandidates.com)
- Steve R. Susman. Video: Steve Susman Libertarian for Congress 2012. 18 December 2011. "How many of you here are tired and sick of the wars that are draining your businesses, draining your taxes, draining your bank accounts, killing our children? [¦] How many? We're tired of this." (youtu.be)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "5) Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy?" Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues Other or expanded principles: "TARP was a huge mistake. Fraud and favorites should not be rewarded by the government. The Federal Reserve system aka "Central Bank" should be audited and abolished. Congress was given power to print and coin money in the Constitution, I suggest we return to that system."
- Steve R. Susman. Undoctrination.com - I Can See NO-vember Coming. 14 August 2010. Responded: "Absolutely. Our government's drunk on spending." to the question "Do you support radically reducing government spending and paying down the government debt?" (votesmart.org)
- Steve R. Susman. Steve Susman answers the Liberty Candidate questions:. 27 Feburary 2010. "The monetary policy in this country is a shambles. This is due to several factors. Two illegal wars, and the actual costs being kept on "separate books", the Bush Administration's fault. The constant stream of unchecked wasteful spending on unnecessary and ineffective agencies such as FEMA(who are worthless during disaster relief) and the Department of Homeland Security who have not proven themselves worthy of anything other than harassment of American citizens." (www.liberty-candidates.org)
- Steve R. Susman. AMERICAN SMALL BUSSINESS ACT-by Steve Susman. 7 March 2012. "Provision 4. The Internal Revenue Service will cooperate in regards to tax incentives. The more people employed by the entrepreneur on an extended basis (longevity of permanent employment) means less taxation for the enterprise. As in Provision 1, there will be no more or less tax incentive based on race or gender. Skill level at the particular trade will be the deciding factor, and that weighs on the business, not Federal Government meddling. The incentive will be based on a scale determined as to the overall practicality of the business in question. [Example: A restaurant providing meals with 20 full time employees will receive a more favorable incentive than a designer clothing boutique employing 4 part-time employees]." (stevesusman2010.ning.com)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "c) Do you support federal funding for charter schools?" Education Issues Other or expanded principles: "Instead of Charter Schools, I suggest we implement(or re-implement) the "Scared Straight" Program. It is time for some parents to get themselves further involved in the schools their children attend. School is not a baby sitting service, all public schools and teachers within need to be given what is needed for a successful curriculum."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "d) Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers?" Education Issues Other or expanded principles: "Instead of Charter Schools, I suggest we implement(or re-implement) the "Scared Straight" Program. It is time for some parents to get themselves further involved in the schools their children attend. School is not a baby sitting service, all public schools and teachers within need to be given what is needed for a successful curriculum."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Greatly Increase" for: "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. d) Education" 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. Other or expanded principles: "The United Nations, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Corporation, and the Bilderberg Group are direct threats to the sovereignty and economy of the United States of America. The Bilderberg Group in particular should be forever prohibited from conducting any meetings on US soil. All US Government officials found in attendance in violation of the Logan Act shall be punished to the full extent the law allows."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "a) Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students?" Education Issues Other or expanded principles: "Instead of Charter Schools, I suggest we implement(or re-implement) the "Scared Straight" Program. It is time for some parents to get themselves further involved in the schools their children attend. School is not a baby sitting service, all public schools and teachers within need to be given what is needed for a successful curriculum."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Greatly Increase" for: "d) Education" 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. Other or expanded principles: "The United Nations, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Corporation, and the Bilderberg Group are direct threats to the sovereignty and economy of the United States of America. The Bilderberg Group in particular should be forever prohibited from conducting any meetings on US soil. All US Government officials found in attendance in violation of the Logan Act shall be punished to the full extent the law allows."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "b) Do you support federal funding for universal pre-K programs?" Education Issues Other or expanded principles: "Instead of Charter Schools, I suggest we implement(or re-implement) the "Scared Straight" Program. It is time for some parents to get themselves further involved in the schools their children attend. School is not a baby sitting service, all public schools and teachers within need to be given what is needed for a successful curriculum."
- Steve R. Susman. Chron.com/Texas on the Potomac. On the issues: Steve Susman, Libertarian, 22nd Congressional District. 7 October 2010. Responded "Government needs to stay out of the free market. We have learned that neither the drilling industry nor the government is trustworthy in matters such as the Deepwater Horizon blowout. I suggest that an independent company, uninfluenced by the drilling industry, its lobbyists, or the government should be put in charge of monitoring these projects. Such companies could report back to MMS, with credibility and no bias. This would also create private industry jobs as well.5." to the question: "Energy; Should the government pay to develop technology to combat deep-water drilling disasters or should the U.S. continue to rely on industry-provided technology? What lessons have we learned from the Deepwater Horizon situation?". (blog.chron.com)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas?" Environment and Energy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Climate change aka "Global Warming Science" is purely science fiction. Agreements such as the failed Copenhagen Treaty are a threat to sovereignty, and an arm of Global Governance, which I detest. Carbon Trading schemes are meant to defraud the taxpayer and cripple the economy further. South America developed another vehicle fuel source in the late 1970's, we should follow in those footsteps. If there were verifiable safety plans with regards to nuclear power, I may be in favor of that source. As of now, I cannot make this determination."
- Steve R. Susman. Video: Steve Susman Fundraiser Speech. 8 October 2010. "They're going to try again, trust me they're going to try again, as soon as the election's over, to pass cap and trade, which will be the death knell for the American economy, because that means every trash bag, every piece of paper, every pencil, every tire that goes on your car, every gallon of gasoline every hamburger, every piece of fish you eat, [there's] going to be an added tax onto that." (youtu.be)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles?" Environment and Energy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Climate change aka "Global Warming Science" is purely science fiction. Agreements such as the failed Copenhagen Treaty are a threat to sovereignty, and an arm of Global Governance, which I detest. Carbon Trading schemes are meant to defraud the taxpayer and cripple the economy further. South America developed another vehicle fuel source in the late 1970's, we should follow in those footsteps. If there were verifiable safety plans with regards to nuclear power, I may be in favor of that source. As of now, I cannot make this determination."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?" Environment and Energy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Climate change aka "Global Warming Science" is purely science fiction. Agreements such as the failed Copenhagen Treaty are a threat to sovereignty, and an arm of Global Governance, which I detest. Carbon Trading schemes are meant to defraud the taxpayer and cripple the economy further. South America developed another vehicle fuel source in the late 1970's, we should follow in those footsteps. If there were verifiable safety plans with regards to nuclear power, I may be in favor of that source. As of now, I cannot make this determination."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system?" Environment and Energy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Climate change aka "Global Warming Science" is purely science fiction. Agreements such as the failed Copenhagen Treaty are a threat to sovereignty, and an arm of Global Governance, which I detest. Carbon Trading schemes are meant to defraud the taxpayer and cripple the economy further. South America developed another vehicle fuel source in the late 1970's, we should follow in those footsteps. If there were verifiable safety plans with regards to nuclear power, I may be in favor of that source. As of now, I cannot make this determination."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?" Environment and Energy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Climate change aka "Global Warming Science" is purely science fiction. Agreements such as the failed Copenhagen Treaty are a threat to sovereignty, and an arm of Global Governance, which I detest. Carbon Trading schemes are meant to defraud the taxpayer and cripple the economy further. South America developed another vehicle fuel source in the late 1970's, we should follow in those footsteps. If there were verifiable safety plans with regards to nuclear power, I may be in favor of that source. As of now, I cannot make this determination."
- Chron.com/Texas on the Potomac. Meet the candidates: Steve Susman, Libertarian, 22nd Congressional District. 5 March 2012. "I am also intent on repeal of the current healthcare law and stopping any attempt to continue the fraud known as Global Warming/Cap and Trade." (blog.chron.com)
- Steve R. Susman. Video: CARL BOYD, JR PART 5 7/15/10 WITH STEVE SUSMAN FROM HOUSTON TX PART I. 18 July 2010. "This cap and trade bill will totally cripple and destroy the industry in America as we know it, and it's stabbing an already bleeding economy, and going to take the rest of the money out of the American people's pockets...The cap and trade will pile on so many taxes, on to the parts necessary to keep and automobile going, it'll be impossible to maintain it." (youtu.be)
- Steve R. Susman. Video: David Smith/Steve Susman @ Libertyfest 2010. 19 September 2010. "Our government has become infested with a bunch of useless agencies that seek to bleed Americans dry of their freedom, rights, and hard-earned assets. One such agency is the [¦] complete and utter failure known as the Environmental Protection Agency. I'm here today to issue a warning to this agency of ruthless psychopaths." (youtu.be)
- Steve R. Susman. Video: Steve Susman and David Smith Meet and Greet in Nassau Bay. 31 July 2010. "Within my first month of being a make-ready manager, I eliminated $6,000 worth of theft and waste and [...] should Good grace me to be elected, I'm going to do the same thing up there. I'm going to start with a lot of unnecessary federal programs; the EPA, FEMA, DHS [¦]". (youtu.be)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?" Gun Issues Other or expanded principles: "The Second Amendment was created to protect the citizens of this country from criminals and tyrants. Look how well gun control worked for the Jews in the Hitler era, need I say more? "
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles?" Gun Issues Other or expanded principles: "The Second Amendment was created to protect the citizens of this country from criminals and tyrants. Look how well gun control worked for the Jews in the Hitler era, need I say more? "
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns?" Gun Issues Other or expanded principles: "The Second Amendment was created to protect the citizens of this country from criminals and tyrants. Look how well gun control worked for the Jews in the Hitler era, need I say more? "
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?" Gun Issues Other or expanded principles: "The Second Amendment was created to protect the citizens of this country from criminals and tyrants. Look how well gun control worked for the Jews in the Hitler era, need I say more? "
- Steve R. Susman. Second Amendment Rights. "Shall not be tampered with in any shape or form. The Constitution is clear on this issue. I promise to lobby for less federal mandates related to weapon ownership and sales, I believe that the rights of the states shall prevail. Our forefathers instituted this policy to protect the citizens of this nation from tyrannical government and criminals. I will not tolerate the interference of any governing body attempting to override this right." (stevesusman2010.ning.com)
- Steve R. Susman. Steve Susman: Liberty Candidate for U.S. House, Texas. 16 October 2011. Responded: "While I agree with the OPINION that someone who used a gun to commit a heinous act against another human being should not be allowed legal ownership; the fact remains that we are allowed to bear arms. This is yet another risk of living in a free society. In this day and age, everyone should own at least one" to the question: "What controls, if any, should be placed on the right to own a gun? Is there an effective way to keep guns out of the hands of madmen and criminals without encroaching on the rights of free, law-abiding citizens?" (libertycandidates.com)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?" Health Issues Other or expanded principles: "The role the government should have taken in the healthcare system should have been to reduce drug costs, procedure costs and audited the excessive costs hospitals charge. For example, I have seen patients charged for backboards and sheets that the hospitals and ambulance companies reused. I have also seen prices for simple pain relievers such as Tylenol charged at $10.00 for two tablets, outright theft."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option?" Health Issues Other or expanded principles: "The role the government should have taken in the healthcare system should have been to reduce drug costs, procedure costs and audited the excessive costs hospitals charge. For example, I have seen patients charged for backboards and sheets that the hospitals and ambulance companies reused. I have also seen prices for simple pain relievers such as Tylenol charged at $10.00 for two tablets, outright theft."
- Steve R. Susman. Chron.com/Texas on the Potomac. On the issues: Steve Susman, Libertarian, 22nd Congressional District. 7 October 2010. Responded "Healthcare reform needs to be abolished. It is unconstitutional. It is an abomination that a 3200 page bill has not been read by those who signed it. It is a disgrace that Americans are forced by their government to purchase something. Start over and take a different approach." to the question: "Health care reform: Would you repeal, expand or modify the health care overhaul adopted by Congress and signed into law by President Obama?" (blog.chron.com)
- Steve R. Susman. Video: Steve Susman Fundraiser Speech. 8 October 2010. "You're not ever doing your job when you let 3200 pages, 'Oh lets just pass it and we can read it later,' which now we're finding out, stuff in the healthcare bill is not even related to helathcare; it's more freedom oppression." (youtu.be)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?" Immigration Issues Other or expanded principles: "Another Texas candidate and myself have composed our own bill to deal with the Immigration Issue. Should we be elected, we will expand and pass this legislation. Please refer to my website."
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?" Immigration Issues Other or expanded principles: "Another Texas candidate and myself have composed our own bill to deal with the Immigration Issue. Should we be elected, we will expand and pass this legislation. Please refer to my website."
- Steve R. Susman. Chron.com/Texas on the Potomac. On the issues: Steve Susman, Libertarian, 22nd Congressional District. 7 October 2010. Responded "I do not support creating a legal pathway for people illegally living in the country. I oppose amnesty as well. It is time to stop and clean up our own situation. Granting blanket amnesty will be the death nail for our already bleeding economy" to the question: "Immigration reform: Would you favor creating a legal pathway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the United States as part of comprehensive immigration reform? How would you change federal immigration laws?" (blog.chron.com)
- Steve R. Susman. Immigration. 7 March 2012. "Our immigration system needs an extensive overhaul. We must stand on a front door policy and enforce it. Funding must be given to states to bolster border security. We must enact stricter criteria via criminal background checks regarding citizenship. A 'zero tolerance' policy must be instated to effect a faster deportation process for known, non-citizen criminals. At present, we are protesting the Obama Administration's amnesty program, as well as working toward a more safe and effective entrance and screening policy." (stevesusman2010.ning.com)
- Steve R. Susman. Undoctrination.com - I Can See NO-vember Coming. 14 August 2010. Answered: "Absolutely. Our government's drunk on spending. David Smith, Kathie Glass, and I are working on writing up the Immigration proposal I mentioned earlier and the details of this particular proposal are part of our plans to help cut government expenditures. No longer will we be paying for any sort of social programs for illegal aliens. No welfare. No free healthcare. None of that. In the same instance, the proposal cuts out a lot of the paperwork, the wait times, and also the expense from the legalization process for those who wish to come here and become citizens through the proper channels." to the question "Do you support radically reducing government spending and paying down the government debt?" (votesmart.org)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?" Social Issues Other or expanded principles: "We should stick to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Anyone deemed mentally and physically fit to join the armed services should be allowed to join, provided that they agree with the above policy."
- Steve R. Susman. Undoctrination.com - I Can See NO-vember Coming. 14 August 2010. "It's very simple. If it's not listed in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, the Feds have no power to do it. Whatever "it" may be. Despite my personal opinions on some things, that's really what I feel needs to happen. Say on issues like abortion, gay marriage, or marijuana, something of that nature, that power needs to be pushed back to the Sovereign States and the People." (votesmart.org)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "d) Should the United States continue to strike suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan?" International Policy Issues Other or expanded principles: "Free trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA and GATT are dangerous to our sovereignty and economy. We need to stop policing the world, and end nationbuilding. Both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are illegal since they were not declared by Congress. The only people that benefit from these wars are:(1) The financial institutions financing both sides and (2) Halliburton/KBR who are vastly overcharging us for the substandard services given to our military. This is a disgrace, and is bankrupting our nation."
- Steve R. Susman. Undoctrination.com - I Can See NO-vember Coming. 14 August 2010. "We need to go back to a defensive force and move away from our current offensive force [¦] We don't need to go absolutely everywhere and we don't need to be based everywhere and helping out absolutely everyone and police every nation [¦] We're fighting a "concept'. That's what terrorism is. You say in that impoverished nation that there's a $5 million bounty on Osama Bin Laden's head and no one has given him up? Come on [¦] We need to concentrate on getting our own house in order before we even think about getting involved anywhere else." (votesmart.org)
- Steve R. Susman. Steve Susman: Liberty Candidate for U.S. House, Texas. 16 October 2011. Answered: "We cannot fight a 'concept', this is utterly ridiculous. Should the U.S. occupy other countries? We should NOT occupy other countries, unless this is voted on by a legitimate Congress. Furthermore, that country should pay at least half of the expenses related to the occupation" to the question: "How should we fight a 'war on terror'?" (libertycandidates.com)
- Steve R. Susman. Steve Susman: Liberty Candidate for U.S. House, Texas. 16 October 2011. "US Foreign Policy is unacceptable. We are engaged in two or more illegal wars at this time fighting a 'concept'. We are not the World Police Force. I do not read ANYTHING in the Constitution that justifies this inhumanity and economic theft on a daily basis." (libertycandidates.com)
- Steve Susman. Project Vote Smart: 2010 Texas Congressional Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security?" Business and Employment Issues Other or expanded principles: "Unions started out as a noble cause to prevent abuses of workers. It seems now that they serve as lobbying organizations, (example SEIU) which I disapprove of."
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.
| 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? | ||
| Yes | 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? | ||
| Regardless of my personal views and opinions on this subject, I will lobby for this issue to be returned to the state level. It is not the business of the Federal Government to mandate these types of laws, that power rests with the people. | |||
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.
| Greatly Increase | a) Agriculture | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Arts | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Defense | ||
| Greatly Increase | 1) Intelligence operations | ||
| Slightly Increase | 2) Military hardware | ||
| Maintain Status | 3) National missile defense | ||
| Slightly Increase | 4) Salary and benefits for active duty personnel | ||
| Maintain Status | 5) Programs to improve troop retention rates | ||
| Maintain Status | 6) Research and development of new weapons | ||
| Greatly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Greatly Decrease | e) Environment | ||
| Eliminate | f) Homeland security | ||
| Greatly Decrease | g) International aid | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) Medical research | ||
| Slightly Increase | i) Scientific research | ||
| Maintain Status | j) Space exploration | ||
| Eliminate | k) United Nations | ||
| Eliminate | l) Welfare | ||
| Maintain Status | a) Alcohol taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Slightly Decrease | c) Cigarette taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | d) Corporate taxes | ||
| Slightly Decrease | e) Gasoline taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | f) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
| Maintain Status | g) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
| Maintain Status | 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? | ||
| The United Nations, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Corporation, and the Bilderberg Group are direct threats to the sovereignty and economy of the United States of America. The Bilderberg Group in particular should be forever prohibited from conducting any meetings on US soil. All US Government officials found in attendance in violation of the Logan Act shall be punished to the full extent the law allows. | |||
| TARP was a huge mistake. Fraud and favorites should not be rewarded by the government. The Federal Reserve system aka "Central Bank" should be audited and abolished. Congress was given power to print and coin money in the Constitution, I suggest we return to that system. | |||
| No | 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? | ||
| No | d) Do you support the ability of workers to unionize? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support federal funding for job-training programs that retrain displaced workers? | ||
| Unions started out as a noble cause to prevent abuses of workers. It seems now that they serve as lobbying organizations, (example SEIU) which I disapprove of. | |||
| 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? | ||
| No | c) Do you support removing all contribution limits on federal campaigns? | ||
| No | d) Should candidates for federal office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits? | ||
| No | e) Do you support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations? | ||
| No | f) Do you support limiting the President's ability to define how legislation is applied through the use of signing statements? | ||
| Federal candidates should campaign using the least amount of money possible. I am certain that our founding fathers did not waste money on a circus type spectacle that today's political campaigns have become. | |||
| 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? | |||
| No | e) Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs? | ||
| Sentences of non violent offenders should be left to the discretion of the judge and jury. | |||
| Yes | 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? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid? | ||
| Instead of Charter Schools, I suggest we implement(or re-implement) the "Scared Straight" Program. It is time for some parents to get themselves further involved in the schools their children attend. School is not a baby sitting service, all public schools and teachers within need to be given what is needed for a successful curriculum. | |||
| No | a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? | ||
| No | b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? | ||
| No | c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas? | ||
| Yes | f) Do you support federal funding for the development of alternative energy? | ||
| g) Do you support the development of nuclear reactors? | |||
| Climate change aka "Global Warming Science" is purely science fiction. Agreements such as the failed Copenhagen Treaty are a threat to sovereignty, and an arm of Global Governance, which I detest. Carbon Trading schemes are meant to defraud the taxpayer and cripple the economy further. South America developed another vehicle fuel source in the late 1970's, we should follow in those footsteps. If there were verifiable safety plans with regards to nuclear power, I may be in favor of that source. As of now, I cannot make this determination. | |||
| No | a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns? | ||
| No | d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles? | ||
| The Second Amendment was created to protect the citizens of this country from criminals and tyrants. Look how well gun control worked for the Jews in the Hitler era, need I say more? | |||
| No | a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option? | ||
| No | b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform? | ||
| No | c) Should the federal government expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support relaxing regulations on the importation of prescription drugs? | ||
| The role the government should have taken in the healthcare system should have been to reduce drug costs, procedure costs and audited the excessive costs hospitals charge. For example, I have seen patients charged for backboards and sheets that the hospitals and ambulance companies reused. I have also seen prices for simple pain relievers such as Tylenol charged at $10.00 for two tablets, outright theft. | |||
| No | a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support decreasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support establishing English as the official national language? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? | ||
| Another Texas candidate and myself have composed our own bill to deal with the Immigration Issue. Should we be elected, we will expand and pass this legislation. Please refer to my website. | |||
| No | a) Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan? | ||
| No | b) Do you support increasing military assistance for Afghanistan? | ||
| No | c) Do you support increasing economic development assistance for Afghanistan? | ||
| No | d) Should the United States continue to strike suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan? | ||
| No | e) Do you support granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States? | ||
| No | f) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state? | ||
| No | g) Do you support increasing sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy United Nations mandates? | ||
| Yes | h) Do you support the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq? | ||
| No | i) Do you support the United States' involvement in free trade agreements? | ||
| Free trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA and GATT are dangerous to our sovereignty and economy. We need to stop policing the world, and end nationbuilding. Both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are illegal since they were not declared by Congress. The only people that benefit from these wars are:(1) The financial institutions financing both sides and (2) Halliburton/KBR who are vastly overcharging us for the substandard services given to our military. This is a disgrace, and is bankrupting our nation. | |||
| Yes | a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman? | ||
| No | b) Do you support allowing openly-gay men and women to serve in the United States military? | ||
| No | c) Do you support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research? | ||
| Yes | d) Should the federal government end affirmative action programs? | ||
| We should stick to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Anyone deemed mentally and physically fit to join the armed services should be allowed to join, provided that they agree with the above policy. | |||
| Overturn UNCONSTITUTIONAL legislation. ( Should not cost anything but time). Implement an American Small Business Plan and restart American Industry, this will be financed by the US Banking Industry that we bailed out. Withdrawl of Troops from Iraq and Afghanistan( this will also reduce deficit spending) |
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