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Laura Potter's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.

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Laura Potter has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2018 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Vermont Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
I am in favor of a progressive tax whereby the more one makes, especially corporate earnings, the more one pays in taxes.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Indirect is the operative word. If any person or organization is funding an issue, it needs to be transparent and publicly available for review. I also feel there should be a limit to how much any organization can contribute.
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Targeted federal spending, benefiting the lower income levels, would help the economy by putting the funds into play. I do not see any reason, beyond an initial-startup tax break, to have any decrease in corporate tax rates. I believe the lowest should pay the least, and the highest should pay the most.
No Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
I think top-down standards are counter- productive. I believe the Dept. of Education should be an agency that evaluates education techniques and strategies, and offers them for use by the nation's schools. Thus, each school district can mix and match for what works for them. Certain basics need be met - Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, appropriate Sex Education - but beyond that it should be as the district decide. Children need to be taught how to survive, and to thrive, and how to think for themselves.
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
I am against gun-control and the banning of guns. However, I am firmly supportive of gun education, including safety and ethics. Also, I think that certain levels of weapons should be considered collector's items, and require an additional educational and ethical use requirement. The Constitution guarantees one's right to bear arms, but also allows State's to apply appropriate limits to ensure a well-regulated militia. If one does not have violent tendencies, such as Domestic Abusers, one should be allowed to own and possess firearms - within the local limits.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
While Obamacare, the 2010 ACA, was actually a sop to the insurance companies, I think it should remain until Universal Healthcare is fully instituted. Our taxes should not be going to the war-machine. Just a fraction of the known discretionary war budget, if transferred to the Health budget, would cover a high-quality level of health care for every single person in this country.
No Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Various reports and studies have shown repeatedly that immigrants are good for the country as a whole. Many, including some I have personally known, fled their home countries because of the discrimination or violence. Sending these people back would be effectively signing their death warrant. This I will not do. Border Patrol should be charged with guaranteeing immigrant safety, and with providing access to the necessary resources - language appropriate paperwork, trained immigration counselors, and legal aid - so that immigrants have a path to residency and citizenship.
Yes Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
End the Prohibition !!!
No Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
No Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
If I or my family, or my community at large is attacked, I will fight back. However, I have no intention of going to another community and attacking the people there. I apply the same philosophy to the military.... defend, but do not be offensive. Stay out of other countries' issues and let them sort them out themselves.
- Universal Quality Healthcare - End War - It is not a solution for anything - Term limits on all elected and appointed government positions. Nobody, whether President, Congressperson or Supreme Court Justice, should have their position for life. They are Representatives, not "Leaders."

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