Tomeka Hart's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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Tomeka Hart has demonstrated Political Courage by telling citizens where she stands on the issues she may face if elected.
Tennessee Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test
| No | Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan? | ||
| War should always be a last resort. I initially supported the US combat operations in Afghanistan because we needed to weaken Al-Qaeda's strength and capacity, and to help Afghanistan build its own capacity to secure itself. I don't think our goal should be nation building. Further, it is not realistic to believe we can completely remove the Taliban. Thus, I support a timetable for withdrawal. We have already been there too long, lost too many lives, and spent too much money on this war. With a goal of strengthening Afghanistan, we can work to accomplish that by a certain date. | |||
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? | ||
| Yes | do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
| No | do you support reducing Medicaid spending? | ||
| No | do you support reducing Medicare spending? | ||
| No | Is balancing the budget a legislative priority? | ||
| Defense: Our military needs the resources required so that it is only as strong as absolutely necessary. Any savings resulting from ending two wars, and a reduction in defense spending should be reallocated to other priorities, including, but not limited to, balancing the budget. Income tax increase: I support an increase on the higher brackets because they are in a position to absorb the increase and maintain their lifestyles. Budget: Balancing the budget should be a long-term priority; however, the immediate focus should be jobs and ways to stimulate the economy. Targeted government spending is needed at this time. | |||
| Yes | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| Yes | 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? | ||
| Yes | Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief? | ||
| Yes | Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants? | ||
| Yes | Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
| No | Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? | ||
| Yes | Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act? | ||
| No | Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? | ||
| Yes | 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? | ||
| I support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police in partnership with federal agents. I do not support the enactment of immigration laws on the state and local level. | |||
| 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? | ||
| No | Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement 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.
| Maintain Status | a) Agriculture | ||
| Greatly Increase | b) Arts | ||
| Slightly Decrease | c) Defense | ||
| Greatly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Greatly Increase | e) Environment | ||
| Slightly Decrease | f) Homeland Security | ||
| Maintain Status | g) International aid | ||
| Greatly Increase | h) Medical Research | ||
| Greatly Increase | i) Scientific Research | ||
| Maintain Status | j) Space exploration | ||
| Maintain Status | k) United Nations | ||
| Greatly Increase | l) Welfare | ||
| Greatly Increase | m) Other or expanded categories | ||
| Greatly Increase | a) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Corporate taxes | ||
| Slightly Increase | c) Excise taxes (alcohol) | ||
| Slightly Increase | d) Excise taxes (cigarettes) | ||
| Maintain Status | e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel) | ||
| Maintain Status | f) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
| Maintain Status | g) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) Income taxes (high-income families) | ||
| Slightly Increase | i) Inheritance taxes | ||
| Slightly Increase | j) Payroll taxes | ||
| k) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Labor | |||
| Education: Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act -- I support the Obama Administration's blueprint for education reform with its focus on strengthening teachers, higher standards for all students, equity, turning around low-performing schools, and innovation. Labor: Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) -- WIA should be reauthorized, with performance measures that are realistic and flexible based on the populations served. Additional funds are needed, and I would support obtaining them through reallocation of funds from other areas that can be reduced (i.e., defense), by increasing taxes on higher income tax brackets, and savings through efficiencies. |
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