Scott Wharton has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.
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 2016.
Pro-choice | Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
The difficult decision to end a pregnancy is between a woman, her family, her doctor and her faith. it is not the place of politicians to interfere |
Yes | In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? | ||
Yes | In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
I believe the wealthy and corporations should pay their fair share |
Yes | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
I support an amendment to the US Constitution to overturn Citizens United. It is clear that the influence of money in politics is toxic, and damaging to good policy |
Yes | Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
Capital punishment should not be used lightly. Only for the most heinous of crimes, and only when there is no doubt of guilt. |
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? | ||
Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation? | |||
I believe any tax break offered to a company must be weighed against measurable impacts on economic growth, rather than vague promises of job creation |
Yes | Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change? | ||
Yes | Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
I believe the government has a legitimate interest in promoting the health of its citizens through emissions regulations, as well as a long term interest in reducing the effects of global climate change |
Yes | Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? | ||
As a farmer, I own and use a .22 rifle for pest control. I believe there are legitimate purposes to owning certain firearms. However, there is no discernible reason for a civilian to own an assault rifle, or any weapon modified to hold clips with over 30 rounds. These weapons were designed for killing, not self defense. |
No | Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? | ||
The Affordable Care Act has helped millions of Americans get health insurance for the first time, reduced the rate at which medical costs increase, and added years of solvency to Medicare. I'm sure there are areas where it can be improved, but the overall goals of the legislation are being achieved, and that's a good thing for Americans. |
No | Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? | ||
I believe we need a system that favors those entering the country through appropriate channels, while still offering a path to citizenship for everyone who wants to be a productive member of American scoeity |
Yes | Do you support same-sex marriage? | ||
I believe that supporting equality for everyone is an important goal, regardless of race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation. |
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 governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon? | ||
I believe that America has over used its military forces on the ground, putting our men and women at risk for no tangible benefit. The future use of military force should not occur without clear goals against a direct threat to our security. |
Unknown Position | Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? | ||
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I believe that Social Security's future solvency should be addressed by raising the cap on taxable income, which would alleviate the need for personal 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.
Slightly Increase | a) Agriculture | ||
Slightly Decrease | b) Arts | ||
Maintain Status | c) Defense | ||
Slightly Increase | d) Education | ||
Slightly Increase | e) Environment | ||
Greatly Decrease | f) Homeland Security | ||
Slightly Decrease | g) International aid | ||
Greatly Increase | h) Medical Research | ||
Greatly Increase | i) Scientific Research | ||
Maintain Status | j) Space exploration | ||
Slightly Decrease | k) United Nations | ||
Slightly Increase | l) Welfare | ||
m) Other or expanded categories | |||
Greatly Increase | a) Capital gains taxes | ||
Greatly Increase | b) Corporate taxes | ||
Maintain Status | c) Excise taxes (alcohol) | ||
Maintain Status | d) Excise taxes (cigarettes) | ||
Maintain Status | e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel) | ||
Greatly Decrease | f) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
Maintain Status | g) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
Greatly Increase | h) Income taxes (high-income families) | ||
Greatly Increase | i) Inheritance taxes | ||
Slightly Decrease | j) Payroll taxes | ||
k) Other or expanded categories |
My top priority is to pursue legislation that will put money into the hands of the middle and working class. I want to increase the minimum wage, close tax loopholes that fail to create jobs, and promote federal investment in infrastructure, which will create real, blue collar, jobs. I believe these policies will help stimulate the economy from the bottom up by giving more money to the people who will spend it on consumer goods and services. |
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