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Barbara Carlson's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Barbara Carlson has demonstrated Political Courage by telling citizens where she stands on the issues she may face if elected.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Texas Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
We must protect the sanctity of life. We must stop funding abortions both domestically and abroad with taxpayers' monies. Houston, unfortunately, is home to the biggest abortion clinic in the country, one reason I cannot bear to live within the city limits.
No Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
Yes Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
This war, along with others, are unconstitutional. The proper rules and procedures were not followed before beginning this war. I am in strong support of bringing our men and women home. Further, there is no worse administration in our country's history that is not watching the backs of our men and women serving overseas. We need to focus on home both in securing our borders and getting our fiscal house in order.

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,

Yes do you support reducing defense spending?
No do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes do you support reducing Medicaid spending?
No do you support reducing Medicare spending?
Yes Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?
Absolutely. We must pass legislation for a balanced budget and that is one of my first missions is to pass a BBA, beginning with a zero-based budget. We are at the crossroads of having to make some very difficult decisions with issues that must be addressed. Now more than ever is when our country is in great need of leadership.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Corporations and unions should be required the same contribution caps as individuals. This is one of the reasons why corruption has run so rampant--who is bought, who isn't. It would bring enormous integrity back to Congress.
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Because I live in the State of Texas, that is our current state law and within our jurisdiction. This should stay within the jurisdiction of each state. But I also support 100% admission of DNA testing that is performed and under all circumstances it must be admitted into court. The importance of capital punishment cases is to be absolutely certain that the correct perpetrator has been charged with the crime.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
Yes Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
Our capitalistic system is the greatest opportunistic system in the world, allowing the economy to rectify itself. It is not the government's responsibility to promote economic growth nor is it to stiffle it. Tax incentives, especially to bring jobs back to our shores, is a must. Federal spending to promote growth will grow government and not be good in the long run. We are the land of opportunity, not the land of free handouts and the government's job to take care of each and every one of us because we don't want to provide for ourselves.
No Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
One of the necessities we need to have happen in Washington is the elimination of the Dept of Education. Education should be handled on the state level and not the federal level. The Dept of Education needs to go. As soon as education is put back in the hands of the states, the states will thrive.
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
One of my goals in going to Washington is the the oil moratorium being lifted. It was a gross violation of our Constitution what has happened during this administration's tenure, while Congress did nothing to combat this gross job obstruction across our entire country. We must become oil independent from the Middle East--which is doable. We need courageous leadership that will do what's right for our country in making us strong again and bringing jobs back to our country.
No Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
I spent three years doing research on my book, "Face It, We're Broken." The false tests and data that was collected was altered and some of the data went missing. Criminal action should have been taken against the perpetrators who were allowed to distribute false data on a global scale, receive federal monies for grants for research and not have to return those funds to the Federal Government.
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
I am a SAS (Second Amendment Sister) and am a strong advocate for our Second Amendment in the Constitution. I support the Second Amendment fully and will fight Washington all the way on any form of restriction of our gun rights under the Second Amendment. As a Texan, we also take the Second Amendment most seriously. Plus, having grown up in MN, many make their livelihood of hunting in northern MN. It is a necessity. We cannot limit their livelihood.
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
No Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
I studied this and also an expert in the insurance industry. This is my first mission in getting to Washington and what I have spoken about before the vote was even taken on the House floor--something that our current establishment incumbent admitted to not even reading the bill. This is the most serious and cost-prohibitive bill that has ever been passed in congress in our history. We must repeal and defund this Act. It will be utterly destructive to our economy. We will, in fact, have less healthcare than before.
Yes Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
No Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin?
Yes Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
The first question is actually what is to be enforced at this time. It is required of some; not required of others. I also studied this for three years, interviewing 2,000 participants in my book, "Face It, We're Broken," dedicating a whole chapter to this issue. Illegal immigration--with 40 million here--is one of the main reasons why we are going bankrupt with the federal, state abuses that are occurring. In Texas, free tuition, Social Security benefits and enormous income tax refunds are being given to illegal immigrants, along with all of the free govt programs extended to them.
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
As a devote person in my faith, I cannot support anything but that marriage is between a man and a woman.
No Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
No Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Unless war is a declared act of war and the rules, according to the Constitution, are followed, we don't force military force. The first question sounded exactly what has happened under the NDAA, which is a direct violation of the Constitution. The NDAA must be repealed immediately.
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Not forced, but allowing them to do so, absolutely. If they want to opt out of Social Security, absolutely. But we have to find the perpetrators who are abusing Social Security and collecting when they shouldn't be allowed to collect. We also shouldn't continue to raise the age limit, as the intent is to never have to pay out. This is grossly wrong when many have paid in for 20, 30, 40 years and nothing will be there for them as they near retirement age.

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.

Slightly Increase a) Agriculture
Greatly Decrease b) Arts
Greatly Decrease c) Defense
Eliminate d) Education
Greatly Decrease e) Environment
Greatly Decrease f) Homeland Security
Eliminate g) International aid
Maintain Status h) Medical Research
Greatly Decrease i) Scientific Research
Greatly Decrease j) Space exploration
Eliminate k) United Nations
Eliminate l) Welfare
Eliminate m) Other or expanded categories
Eliminate a) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Slightly Decrease d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Greatly Decrease e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Greatly Decrease f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Greatly Decrease h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate i) Inheritance taxes
Greatly Decrease j) Payroll taxes
Greatly Increase k) Other or expanded categories
All federal benefits, free or reduced education costs, tax refunds should be eliminated to illegal immigrants who are living here illegally. This isn't the role of our government to subsidize people who are living here illegally and seriously affecting the financial stability of our country. This is allowed nowhere else in the world.
We need the consumption tax and completely overhaul the IRS. Until everyone has skin in the game, we're not on the same playing field. The more you consume, the more tax you pay vs. less than 50% of the population pays for the whole. It's lopsided.
1) We must repeal Obamacare and defund it immediately. 2) We must put together a very strong balanced budget, passing a balanced budget amendment (BBA), reduce our spending by an excellent goal of $1 trillion and get our fiscal house in order in less than four years. 3) We must bring our men and women home and secure our borders and begin to enforce the laws. We know terrorists are coming across our borders. We must make our republic safe. That is the duty and oath of office that is to be adhered to.

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