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Todd Bloom's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.
What is the Political Courage Test?

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 2022.

  • "I believe that, at present, our tepid economy is in need of fiscal stimulus--and raising taxes is contrary to that objective." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? "No" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "I believe we need to strengthen disclosure of funding for political speech, to ensure Americans are informed voters. I disfavor restrictions on our constitutionally-protected right to freedom of speech." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? "No" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "National defense is one of the basic obligations of our federal government. At present, I believe budget cuts have reduced our military capabilities and readiness." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? "No" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I believe that using federal spending and tax incentives as means of economic stimulus creates risks of cronyism, malinvestment and economic dislocation; and disfavor these methods for that reason." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Tax rates DO affect economic activity, and in the current environment, I favor lowering taxes to stimulate the economy. I believe that using federal spending and tax incentives as means of economic stimulus creates risks of cronyism, malinvestment and economic dislocation; and disfavor these methods for that reason." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)? "No" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I believe as a country we should develop all of our energy capabilities and explore new and innovative concepts for our future. However, I believe that the private sector is the appropriate place for this to occur. We have seen spectacular failures, cronyism and rent-seeking behavior when the federal government gets involved." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Immigrants who wish to become US citizens must abide by existing federal immigration law." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "With regards to preventing nuclear proliferation, I do not believe we should take any military measures "off the table" so to speak, or limit our options unilaterally. At the same time, I would expect our commander in chief to exhaust all options and to be reticent to commit to use of military force." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "In the battle to expel ISIS from Mosul in Iraq, American military advisors are already on the ground, to assist the Iraqi and Kurdish fighters. We should be focused on defeating ISIS, wherever they are located." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support? "Yes" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
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-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
National defense is one of the basic obligations of our federal government. At present, I believe budget cuts have reduced our military capabilities and readiness. I believe that, at present, our tepid economy is in need of fiscal stimulus--and raising taxes is contrary to that objective.
Unknown Position Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I believe we need to strengthen disclosure of funding for political speech, to ensure Americans are informed voters. I disfavor restrictions on our constitutionally-protected right to freedom of speech.
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
No Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
I believe that judges should be able to exercise their professional judgment and consider extenuating circumstances and mitigating factors in sentencing offenders. I disfavor formulaic sentencing rules.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Tax rates DO affect economic activity, and in the current environment, I favor lowering taxes to stimulate the economy. I believe that using federal spending and tax incentives as means of economic stimulus creates risks of cronyism, malinvestment and economic dislocation; and disfavor these methods for that reason.
No Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
I believe that education is an issue that should remain at the local level.
Yes Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
No Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
No Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
I believe as a country we should develop all of our energy capabilities and explore new and innovative concepts for our future. However, I believe that the private sector is the appropriate place for this to occur. We have seen spectacular failures, cronyism and rent-seeking behavior when the federal government gets involved.
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
Yes Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Immigrants who wish to become US citizens must abide by existing federal immigration law.
Unknown Position Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?
Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
In the battle to expel ISIS from Mosul in Iraq, American military advisors are already on the ground, to assist the Iraqi and Kurdish fighters. We should be focused on defeating ISIS, wherever they are located. With regards to preventing nuclear proliferation, I do not believe we should take any military measures "off the table" so to speak, or limit our options unilaterally. At the same time, I would expect our commander in chief to exhaust all options and to be reticent to commit to use of military force.
Unknown Position Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
I would be willing to explore this option; however, Social Security and Medicare have always been, as designed, 'pay-as-you-go' systems, and diverting a portion of the funding from covering existing beneficiary payments could cause funding shortfalls. There are pros and cons to be weighed in deciding this question, and we would need to explore whether there are options for mitigation.

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
Slightly Decrease b) Arts
Slightly Increase c) Defense
Slightly Decrease d) Education
Slightly Decrease e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Slightly Decrease g) International aid
Slightly Decrease h) Medical Research
Slightly Decrease i) Scientific Research
Slightly Decrease j) Space exploration
Greatly Decrease k) United Nations
Maintain Status l) Welfare
Slightly Decrease a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
Greatly Decrease c) Small business taxes
Maintain Status d) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Maintain Status e) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Status f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Slightly Decrease g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Slightly Decrease h) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Decrease i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate j) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status k) Payroll taxes
I believe the federal government has expanded beyond what it should and can effectively do. The tendency of bureaucracy to become self-interested is evident to most Americans--that federal agencies are more interested in their own preservation than in executing their essential mission and function of service to the American people. My goal would be to balance the federal budget, and to get to a budget surplus, to reduce the federal debt, over time. This would take significantly greater fiscal discipline. I favor a 'zero-base' budgeting approach, as opposed to the incremental approach suggested by the form of this survey question.
I believe we need to reform the tax code and reduce the tax burden on America, to stimulate our economy. We've had almost eight years of extraordinary monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve, and our economy has stagnated--it is still on the Fed's 'life support.' We need to revitalize the economy. By reducing their regulatory and tax burden American companies will no longer have an incentive to move their production and jobs 'offshore' or to move their headquarters to tax havens. This will drive investment in American businesses and produce good middle-class jobs we desperately need.
A political outsider, I'm asking the voters of Washington's Sixth District, to trust me to be your new leadership in Congress. My priorities are to: - Bolster economic growth by reforming taxes, streamlining regulations and reducing burdens on small business; - Give our veterans the support they need and deserve; and - Provide a strong national defense to keep America safe. Disclaimer: Todd Bloom is a Navy veteran and member of the Navy Reserve. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.

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