Mary Headrick's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Key
Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
Mary Headrick has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2014 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests.
Issue Positions
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 2014.
- "I trust women and therefore support reproductive choice. I support the inclusion of Birth Control Pills among basic health plan benefits for those who are prescribed them. While some might object for themselves, both reflect the Nation's commitment to personal religious freedom." (votesmart.org)
- "Our tax structure should be reformed so that all pay a fair share." (votesmart.org)
- "Provide and protect jobs for Middle America. Include manufacturing and service jobs that pay a living wage, with benefits, with a safe environment. NAFTA sent 3rd District jobs to other countries, like our textile and electronic manufacturing. Include infrastructure jobs for the many roads, bridges, buildings and water/sewer plants that are aging or outgrown. We need workers who are trained with the special skills for the many jobs available in the U.S. but unfilled due to lack of a trained worker (like a welder or engineer). Training, RE-training and sound education are essential to a vibrant work force and strong Middle Class. Continue government Research and Development jobs, like the open science materials work in Oak Ridge. This leads to new jobs." (votesmart.org)
- "The Chickamauga Lock should be replaced," Headrick said in a news release. "Until replaced, it should be repaired and remain in operation. The new construction, already underway, should be federally budgeted, partially federally funded and resumed." (votesmart.org)
- "Testing and unfair criticism of teachers are neither the solution to, nor explanation for our underperformance in preparing our citizen and worker population for a bright future." (votesmart.org)
- "We must reduce our carbon emissions in order to prevent huge temperature increases and rises in ocean level. Therefore, we must convert our energy use to renewable sources including Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Hydroelectric. We must use energy more efficiently. We can and should create incentives for renewable energy use and research. Our energy use in our homes, agriculture, transportation and businesses must all be improved. We must remember that Natural Gas is not a solution. It is another carbon emitting fossil fuel. With great care, it can help reduce greenhouse gases while we develop new ways to live in our world and protect our planet for the decades ahead." (votesmart.org)
- "We must reduce our carbon emissions in order to prevent huge temperature increases and rises in ocean level. Therefore, we must convert our energy use to renewable sources including Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Hydroelectric. We must use energy more efficiently. We can and should create incentives for renewable energy use and research. Our energy use in our homes, agriculture, transportation and businesses must all be improved. We must remember that Natural Gas is not a solution. It is another carbon emitting fossil fuel. With great care, it can help reduce greenhouse gases while we develop new ways to live in our world and protect our planet for the decades ahead." (votesmart.org)
- "We have the right to own guns for hunting and sport and for our own protection. Let's have responsible and safe gun ownership." (votesmart.org)
- "The Affordable Care Act is a good start in solving some of our nations health care issues. The GOP and the current Representative wants to repeal it." (votesmart.org)
- 2012 PCT (votesmart.org)
- 2012 PCT (votesmart.org)
- 2012 PCT (votesmart.org)
- "Do not allow privatization nor Wall-Street invasion." (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
| Pro-choice | Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| Abortion should be rare, safe, and very private. As a physician for 30 years, abortions have been heart breaking for all involved, usually chosen due to some tragedy such as severe fetal malformation incompatable with life. | |||
| Yes | Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? | ||
| Yes | Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan? | ||
| Osama Bin Laden is dead. Al-Quaeda is no longer in Afghanistan. It is past time to bring our troups home and stop spending money and lives in Afghanistan. | |||
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? | ||
| Yes | do you support reducing Medicare spending? | ||
| Yes | Is balancing the budget a legislative priority? | ||
| We must constrain the cost of Medicare. We have the happy situation in which people live longer with chronic diseases. We must figure out how to manage these chronic diseases less expensively. Also, 'Improved Medicare for All', a single payer in which individuals use the current private system of physicians, hospitals, pharmacies could reduce costs. | |||
| Yes | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| We are losing our democracy to wealthy corporations (often multi-national) and individuals. 'one man equals one vote' instead of the current reality 'lots of money, lots of votes and influence'. We must reverse Citizens United (requires a Constitutional Amendment), demand Disclosure and restore limits on Electioneering. We should ban all corporate campaign contributions and lobbying. Public Funding of campaigns is an acceptable option. No labels ballots, popular election of the president are among possible improvements. The Middle class is disappearing as bad laws, bad regulations, poor enforcement threaten our country. | |||
| Yes | Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| Osama Bin Laden, Timothy McVey, Charles Manson are a few of the limited numbers that I feel warranted capital punishment. However, it is quite clear that individuals convicted on inadequate evidence (coached eye witness only) have been executed. Capital Punishment must be rare. Lifelong imprisonment with no chance for parole is a superior alternative to most capital punishment. There are a few people that are simply too dangerous to risk release, ever. | |||
| 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? | ||
| Spend more effectively. Close loopholes and eliminate tax breaks for the wealthy individuals and large corporations. Through 'money in politics' the the large corporations and wealthy individuals have failed to pay their fair tax share. Meanwhile, predatory financial service practices have stolen money from our citizens (in their pension funds, home asset value, homes, and too high credit interest rates). Bad trade agreements (e.g. NAFTA) sent our jobs overseas for corporate profits. We must have a strong military defense AND a strong economic defense against abuses. | |||
| Yes | Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants? | ||
| However, the federal government is micromanaging public education, demanding inapproriate testing of all children (e.g. child with 70 IQ should not take an ACT test). The Feds are pushing unproven teaching techniques, inappropriately pushing bonus system on teachers when poverty and lack of parental involvement are the cause of poor performance. | |||
| No | Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? | ||
| We have shrimp with no eyes. BP, TransOceanic, Halliburton have not improved safety. People along the Gulf will get cancers from the pollutants. High pressure, very deep exploration needs tighter regulation, more safety. We need renewables. | |||
| Yes | Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
| Science is science. The CO2 in the atmosphere (391ppm) correlates with fossil fuel use and emissions. The ice on the caps is already melting releasing CH3 (methane), a greenhouse gas more potent than CO2 and the retraction of the white ices caps exposes darker ocean surface for energy absorption, warming the climate as the greenhouse gases lock the heat in our atmosphere. Babies die when left in closed cars in the summer. That IS the greenhouse effect. More heat means more water in atmosphere, more big weather events, more labile weather. | |||
| Yes | Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? | ||
| The gun show loophole should be closed. Assault that merely serve the purpose of killing many people quickly (12+ clip sizes) should be carefully restricted. Too often psychotic individuals (Virginia Tech killing, Gabby Gifford shootin) have obtained hand guns and tragically killed innocents. I strongly support the second amendment to own guns: rifles for hunting, hand guns and shot guns for self defense, for hobby, but laws allowing 'guns in bars', 'safe commute' and 'stand your ground' abuses reflect some of the reckless deregulation taking place across the nation. The NRA is bullying officials. | |||
| No | 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? | ||
| The Affordable Care Act needs to be improved. The Cost Board has too much power. A public option would improve ACA, as would negotiating drug prices and modifying the 'basic plan' definitions to allow a 'catastrophic' option. As written, it is too expensive yet leaves too many uncovered. | |||
| Yes | 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? | ||
| No | Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police? | ||
| If employers check legal status (I-9 form) and pay legally AND we create a clear path to legal work status, then the problem ought to solve itself. Those who enter illegally as adults should return to their country or enter a period of penalties and fines to establish legal residency with work rights. Those who enter legally but allow their legal status to expire should have a different period of penalties and fines to establish legality, work rights. The bureauocracy of obtaining legal work status needs reform. We want/need agriculture workers and want the educated immigrants. | |||
| Yes | Do you support same-sex marriage? | ||
| I support what is best for the family, regardless of family composition. Marriage partners are best friends and share security. | |||
| 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? | ||
| You target proven terrorists, not suspected terrorists. Deal with Iran using sanctions and diplomacy, not bombs. | |||
| No | Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? | ||
| People already have the option to save for retirement beyond Social Security (401Ks, SPEs, IRAs). Wall Street just wants to get its hands on the Social Security dollars. The sad truth, however, is that deficit spending by Congress, Senate, President in budget threatens the $2.4T social security trust fund. Many in government seem to want to simply 'default' on paying the trust fund dollars. | |||
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 Decrease | a) Agriculture | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Arts | ||
| Greatly Decrease | c) Defense | ||
| Slightly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Slightly Increase | e) Environment | ||
| Greatly Decrease | f) Homeland Security | ||
| Maintain Status | g) International aid | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) Medical Research | ||
| Slightly Increase | i) Scientific Research | ||
| Maintain Status | j) Space exploration | ||
| Slightly Increase | k) United Nations | ||
| Maintain Status | l) Welfare | ||
| Slightly Increase | m) Other or expanded categories | ||
| Slightly Increase | a) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Slightly Increase | b) Corporate taxes | ||
| Slightly Increase | c) Excise taxes (alcohol) | ||
| Slightly Increase | d) Excise taxes (cigarettes) | ||
| Slightly Increase | e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel) | ||
| Slightly Decrease | 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 | ||
| Slightly Increase | k) Other or expanded categories | ||
| 1)Veterans Affairs PTSD management and return to work as civilian programs for veterans for jobs and veteran homeless are issues needing more attention. 2)Income sharing as block grants to states for Infrastructure programs in transportation, energy, electric grid, renewable energy, sewer and storm water systems | |||
| Implement tax loophole reform. Stop making debt more profitable than solvency and start taxing 'extraction' practices on wall street, like high frequency trading. Reform corporate board structure and limit CEO and high officer packages, both money and stock options e.g. by removing their stock option deductability and assigning a value at option issue. Stop allowing companies to deduct their dollars for electioneering ads and campaign contributions and lobbyists. Tax differently for US companies versus those shipping jobs abroad. Remove loopholes for Agriculture, oil, other industries. | |||
| Get money out of politics, Get jobs for the Middle class (particularly manufacturing) and seek and implement renewable energy sources and conservation practices in all facets of daily living. The latter, energy, can be funded through tax break incentives for limited time and perhaps through the slightly higher fuel tax with rebates or credit to the poor. Fund mass transportation using federal income sharing with the states. |
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