Understanding Issue Positions
Political Courage Test Overview
VoteEasy research for Congressional candidates in 2012 will investigate candidates' positions across thirteen different categories: Abortion, Afghanistan, Budget, Economy, Education, Energy, Environment, Guns, Health Care, Immigration, Marriage, National Security, and Social Security. Each category includes at least one question, which has been thoroughly researched and justified for inclusion in the Political Courage Test. This document describes the context and possible answers for each VoteEasy question.Abortion
Context: Abortion is a highly emotional issue across all parties and levels of government. It's relevancy persists through each and every election. Abortion rights received heightened national attention during the health care debate, which largely centered on the Hyde Amendment, a provision that would prohibit federal funds for abortion procedures. Despite evidence that economic issues are the "political priority," blunting the impact of traditional "culture war" issues like abortion, candidates often define themselves based on where they stand on enduring social issues.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support pro-life or pro-choice legislation?
Pro Life: Supports legislation that seeks to protect the lives of the unborn and prohibits abortion in most cases (exceptions may be made if the life of the mother is in danger, or in cases of incest or rape). Pro-life supporters generally believe that personhood begins at conception and may advocate the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Pro Choice: Supports legislation that seeks to preserve a woman's right to choose an abortion. Pro-choice supporters pledge to uphold Roe v. Wade and generally believe that women have a right to choose whether or not to terminate their pregnancy.
Budget
Context: Thus far, the need for tax reform has been received well amongst Democrats and Republicans. Both President Barack Obama and Congressman Paul Ryan agree on the need for corporate tax reform, at least in theory. In practice, however, whether taxes should serve to increase or decrease federal revenue has been an early point of contention. The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform recommended that any tax reform should "maintain or increase progressivity of the tax code," as "reducing the deficit will require shared sacrifice, those of us who are best off will need to contribute the most." The "Path to Prosperity," Congressman Paul Ryan's budget proposal, calls for consolidated tax brackets and lower tax rates.
VoteEasy Question: In order to balance the budget, do you support increasing income taxes on any tax bracket?
Yes: Supporters generally argue for tax increases on the highest earners as a means of balancing the federal budget. The highest earners are defined as households with an income over $250,000 or individuals with an income over $200,000.
No: Opponents generally argue against tax increases on the highest earners as a means of balancing the federal budget. The highest earners are defined as households with an income over $250,000 or individuals with an income over $200,000.
Economy
Context: The most prominent mechanisms for promoting economic growth are public and private sector stimulation. State-led growth involves the use of government spending to stimulate and improve the economy. This is achieved through government intervention in the market, including but not limited to the bail-out of key players in the financial sector and key industries, adjusting federal reserve interest rates, and financing infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes: Supporters of federal spending generally feel that government should promote economic growth, viewing federal spending as an investment.
No: Opponents of federal spending generally feel that the private sector is best equipped to stimulate the economy and object to government interference in the free market.
Education
Context: Education is consistently considered one of the most important issues to a significant number of Americans. In a speech given at a Virginia Middle School in March 2011, President Obama called on Congress to reform and reauthorize the controversial Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind). President Obama's Race to the Top initiative has largely placed reform in the hands of state and/or local governments, and has been supported by members of both parties.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for federal funding?
Yes: Supporters generally believe the public school system would benefit from federal education reforms. They also advocate block grants as an incentive to implement these reforms.
No: Opponents would rather let state and local governments create their own education reforms. Many opponents may also disagree with federal funding for education entirely.
+Note from Kristen 9/2014- support for the Parental Rights Amendment (or state equivalents) suggests a "no" answer
Energy
Context: The Keystone XL pipeline has become a particularly divisive issue because it deals with the trade offs between the benefits of increased oil production and energy independence versus the risks of ruining the important National Natural Landmark of the Nebraskan Sand Hills as well as other environmental concerns. The Keystone XL pipeline is intended to create a more direct route with a higher carrying capacity between the tar sands of Hardisty, Alberta and the oil production and distribution capabilities of Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. Additionally, the Keystone XL pipeline would pass through Baker, Montana where American produced oil from the Bakken oil fields could then be transported south for processing. However, this path also runs through the environmentally fragile Sand Hills region of central Nebraska. As such, there has been much discussion about the path the Keystone XL pipeline.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
Yes: Supporters generally feel that the U.S. should increase its production of oil as much as possible. Supporters cite that the U.S is a net importer of oil, placing it in a strategically disadvantageous position. Supporters also note the potential for American jobs and the positive national security implications of shifting away from reliance on unfriendly or unstable regions for domestic energy needs. Also, the Bakken oil fields are currently extracting oil at a faster rate than they can transport it out of the region to refineries. Proponents generally feel that the benefits of increased oul production and job creation outweigh the risks to the environment.
No: Opponents generally consider the risks of building and running the Keystone XL pipeline through the Sand Hills the over top the Ogallala aquifer is too great in comparison to the potential benefits. Some would support the pipeline expansion if only there was a different route, others point to the fact that there is already a pipeline running from Hardisty to Oklahoma, just on a more round about route. The opposition also points to the Keystone XL pipeline's transportation of oil from the Canadian tar sands (generally considered to be a very dirty fuel type) as going against any directive towards clean energy.
Environment
Context: While there is widespread agreement that world energy demand is rapidly increasing, there are severe partisan divisions regarding potential solutions and the legitimacy of climate change. With the failure of cap-and-trade, climate hawks have sought to address the issue of greenhouse emissions through alternative means; namely, they are placing their hopes on the efficacy of environmental regulation. Such a course of action was made possible by a 2007 Supreme Court case that found that the EPA had the right to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes: Supporters generally feel that federal regulation of emissions, through either a carbon tax, a cap-and-trade system, or other means can be used as a means of limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is generally driven by the belief that humans are impacting the environment for the worse through these emissions - leading to climate change.
No: Opponents generally feel that that climate change is not an issue that requires government intervention or that it is an issue that is best addressed by the private sector.
Guns
Context: The majority of legislation relating to gun rights is dealt with on the state level of government. As of February 2011, eight states have passed and 21 states have proposed what is known as the Firearm Freedom Act. The law "declares that any firearms made and retained in-state are beyond the authority of Congress under its constitutional power to regulate commerce among the states." Gun issues have come under closer scrutiny in recent months as a result of the Tuscon shootings. Gun control supporters have focused mostly on the issues of access to firearms by the mentally ill and the legality of extended magazine clips, like the one used in the shootings.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Yes: Supporters of restrictions advocate for an assault weapons ban and other legislation that addresses gun possession in public place.
No: Opponents of restrictions argue that legislation like the assault weapons ban, or similar legislation, is unconstitutional and unnecessary.
Health Care
Context: Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, many Republicans in Congress have called for its repeal. The President has made clear his intention of vetoing any legislative aimed at significantly undercutting the law. However, politicians who oppose the ACA are vocal in their intention to repeal the bill as a matter of principle. The ACA is a law with wide ranging implications, and there are undoubtedly elements in it that both sides of the political spectrum can get behind; there are also elements that both sides will find objectionable.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Yes: Supporters favor repealing the Affordable Care Act (HR 3590). Supporters may argue that the health care bill is unconstitutional, limits job creation, and significantly adds to the deficit.
No: Opponents generally object to efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (HR 3590). Opponents argue that repeal will once again allow people with preexisting conditions to be denied insurance coverage, as well as add to the deficit.
Immigration
Context: Requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship reflects current immigration law, which does not provide a "pathway to citizenship." Proposals for legalization include blanket amnesty or the mandated completion of a series of requirements, which may include: paying a fine and/or back taxes, registering with the federal government, meeting employment requirements, and/or learning English.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Yes: Supporters generally believe in immigration reform, but feel that offering a "pathway to citizenship" would undermine the rule of law and encourage illegal immigration.
No: Opponents generally feel that a "pathway to citizenship" is a humane, cost-effective method of immigration reform that has the aided benefit of widening the tax base.
Job Creation
Context: Politicians from both major parties acknowledge the importance of stabilizing the job market and getting more Americans working. In the discussions surrounding job creation, there is one central question: What should the role of the federal government be? Critics of President Obama believe that his economic stimulus plan has done little more than add to the deficit, while creating few jobs. Others argue that the stimulus spending did help create jobs, but the pace of spending was either not fast enough or big enough to be effective. The debate ultimately comes down to whether or not a larger, more proactive federal government is conducive to job growth.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Yes: Supporters generally favor providing tax cuts and/or credits to the private sector as an effective way of promoting/incentivizing job creation.
No: Opponents generally do not advocate tax cuts and/or credits to the private sector and favor alternative measures for promoting job creation.
Marriage
Context: Under the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 (DOMA), the federal government defined marriage as between one man and one woman. DOMA has been challenged several times at the federal and state levels. As of 2010, same-sex marriage is recognized in five states and the issue is pending in several others. 29 states have constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman, and 12 other states have passed laws restricting marriage to one man and one woman.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes: Supporters of same-sex marriage generally feel that restricting marriage violates the civil rights of same-sex couples and fosters inequality based on sexual orientation.
No: Opponents generally view marriage as a sacred, religious institution and disagree with attempts to define marriage beyond its current traditional boundaries.
National Security
Context: Separate from the use of Predator drones as instruments of war within Iraq and the Afghanistan has been their utilization as a means of killing suspected terrorists outside official theaters of conflict. In 2010, 124 U.S. drone attacks were carried out in Pakistan's tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan. Most analysts agree these attacks have been largely successful and have disrupted the ability of insurgent groups to coordinate their attacks, diluting the overall effectiveness. Critics argue, however, that the drone attacks may incite violent and malcontent towards the United States.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Yes: Supporters generally believe that the United States has an inherent right to self-defense and that the tactical benefits outweigh any costs.
No: Opponents generally do not believe that targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of war is an effective counter-terrorism tool.
Social Security
Context: Social Security is considered the third rail of American politics, as it affects so much of the population. Approximately 79 million Americans were born between 1946 and 1964 and the first of them reached retirement age on January 1st. It is expected that the Social Security Trust Fund will run out in 2037. Private accounts are one proposed method for reform advocated by many conservatives.
VoteEasy Question: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Yes: Supporters generally feel that investing in the private sector would maximize long-term returns while increasing individual accountability and reliance on federal entitlement programs.
No: Opponents generally feel that allowing personal retirement accounts would compromise the government's ability to honor its obligation to provide Social Security benefits.
