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Virginia Graf'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.

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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?

West Virginia Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test

Abortion Issues

		b) Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy?
		c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes		d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
		e) Should federal subsidies be prohibited from being used for abortion procedures?
Unknown Position		a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
Virginia Graf. 2010. Project Vote Smart: West Virginia Political Courage Test. Abortion Issues: f) Other or expanded principles: "No one is either for or against life. I respect all life from birth til death. Abortion is legal in the US to protect women and their health. The law was passed [in] 1973 and I support current law."
a) Both No one is either for or against life. I respect all life from birth til death. Abortion is legal in the US to protect women and their health. The law was passed in 1973 & I support current law.

Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues

1) SpendingIndicate what federal funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category- you can use a number more than once.2) 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
Maintain Status		b) Arts
Slightly Decrease		c) Defense
Maintain Status		1) Intelligence operations
Slightly Decrease		2) Military hardware
Slightly Decrease		3) National missile defense
Slightly Increase		4) Salary and benefits for active duty personnel
Slightly Increase		5) Programs to improve troop retention rates
Slightly Decrease		6) Research and development of new weapons
Greatly Increase		d) Education
Slightly Increase		e) Environment
Slightly Decrease		f) Homeland security
Maintain Status		g) International aid
Slightly Increase		h) Medical research
Maintain Status		i) Scientific research
Maintain Status		j) Space exploration
Maintain Status		k) United Nations
Maintain Status		l) Welfare
Slightly Increase		m) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status		a) Alcohol taxes
		b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status		c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status		d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status		e) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease		f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status		g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Increase		h) Income taxes (high-income families)
No		3) Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax?
		4) Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year?
No		5) Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy?
Virginia Graf. 2010. The League of Women Voters of West Virginia: 2010 Primary Voter Guide. Responded: "West Virginians want leaders in Washington who will listen to their concerns and focus on the issue that matters most: improving the economy and reducing spending. They're tired of seeing unemployment get worse while taxpayer dollars went to bank bailouts and failed "stimulus" plans," to the question: "What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?" (www.lwvwv.org)
m) Healthcare We are in a terrible economic crisis. I hardly think the federal budget can take on more than expenses. We need to stimulate job growth.
Our tax system needs to be re-vamped. Taxes seem to be skewed in favor of wealthiest Americans.
The Federal Estate Tax is a way to payback citizens who have helped others achieve wealth by infrastructure, education etc.

Business and Employment Issues

No		a) Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security?
No		b) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
Yes		c) Do you support increasing the federal minimum wage?
Yes		d) Do you support the ability of workers to unionize?
Yes		e) Do you support federal funding for job-training programs that retrain displaced workers?
We have to work together in improve educational opportunities which prepare citizens for careers. Private & Public sectors need to work together for common good.

Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues

No		a) Do you support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns?
Yes		b) Should Congress regulate indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
No		c) Do you support removing all contribution limits on federal campaigns?
Yes		d) Should candidates for federal office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
		e) Do you support giving the President the power of the line item veto for items concerning appropriations?
Yes		f) Do you support limiting the President's ability to define how legislation is applied through the use of signing statements?
e) Have to study it more. Signing statements was abused by George W. Bush. I believe in publicly financed campaigns. I believe the Supreme Court damaged our democratic republic with its latest ruling.

Crime Issues

No		a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes		b) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related training and job-placement assistance when released?
Yes		c) Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment?
Yes		d) Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders?
		e) Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs?
We need to look at how we respond to the use of illegal drugs by some in our society as opposed to how we respond to others. It isn't the same.

Education Issues

Yes		b) Do you support federal funding for universal pre-K programs?
No		c) Do you support federal funding for charter schools?
No		d) Do you support federal funding for K-12 school vouchers?
Yes		e) Do you support the federal government providing college students with financial aid?
Unknown Position		a) Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students?
Virginia Graf. 2010. We the People of West Virginia: 2010 West Virginia Primary Election Candidate Survey. "We need an overall state superintendent to oversee, advise and consent with county administrative staff and local school boards, especially when the local administration is lacking in education and experience with regards to equity pay for teachers, methodology employed in classrooms, and the size of schools and classes. I believe we must stop erecting factories and re-create schools where interaction between student and teacher, between parents and faculty is possible. Schools that are so large that they cannot adapt to students' needs are too large. Schools that primarily employ the technique of memorization as it smain teaching strategy contriute to failure for a large precentage of students. Multi-sensory learning has proven to be a successful strategy of all academic capabilities, but is not often used in large schools." (wtpwv.com) Virginia Graf. 2010. Project Vote Smart: West Virginia Political Courage Test. Education Issues: f) Other or expanded principles: "a) Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students? "unsure." I believe education needs to be greatly improved from elementary onward. A new paradigm for school funding must be found. Charter Schools have been effective in very few states. Charter Schools should be privately funded as other private schools are."
a) unsure I believe education needs to be greatly improved from elementary onward. A new paradigm for school funding must be found. Charter Schools have been effective in very few states. Charter Schools should be privately financed as other private schools are.

Environment and Energy Issues

Yes		a) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
Yes		b) Do you support international emissions targets aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
Yes		c) Do you support allowing energy producers to trade carbon credits under a "cap and trade" system?
Yes		d) Do you support strengthening fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles?
No		e) Do you support domestic oil exploration in federally-protected areas?
Yes		f) Do you support federal funding for the development of alternative energy?
No		g) Do you support the development of nuclear reactors?
We need to recognize our role in climate change. We need to develop more technology for use of energy sources.

Gun Issues

Yes		a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
		b) Do you believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the right of individual citizens to own guns?
No		c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?
Yes		d) Do you support a ban on assault rifles?
a) mentally challenged, Emotionally unbalanced. b) Probably The clarity about the 2nd Amendment has never been there. We have the highest gun related death rate in the world. I believe there should be an honest discussion on weapons. I believe hunting is a sport which some people enjoy & for others hunt for food.

Health Issues

		b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
		c) Should the federal government expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts?
		d) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
		e) Do you support relaxing regulations on the importation of prescription drugs?
Yes		a) Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option?
Virginia Graf. 2010. Project Vote Smart: West Virginia Political Courage Test. Health Issues: f) "Other or expanded principles: With the amount of money we spend on Health care in the USA, single payer could provide quality healthcare for every citizen." Virginia Graf. 2010. We the People of West Virginia: 2010 West Virginia Primary Election Candidate Survey. "I am against mandated healthcare expense where we place all citizens on a course of purchase with little to gain. My approach to healthcare is that it is a right not a commodity to be purcahsed. In all 1st world countries, except the United States, there has been a recognition that health care should not be in the exclusive clutches of the 'for profit' sector. The insurance companies have a hold on our political life to such an extent that they can deny coverage or charge premiums that cause bankruptcy to many many Americans. A solution is needed. Some countries have a blend of private and public healthcare systems. In America we have been duped into thinking that our taxes cannot be used for our health care. I ask why not? It's our money! Freedom and independence mean that we should have a say in how we are taxed and for what. The current debacle over health care reform is nonsense... I believe the single payer system advocated by American Doctors and Nurses is a viable solution. It addresses the big costly issue of billing. It is simply an adminstrative solution. It doesn't change anything else. Presently, we are told what is covered, which doctors we can see, and how much our co-pay will be." (wtpwv.com) Virginia Graf. Issue Position: Health Care. "Medicare for All would direct your money to healthcare, not insurance company subsidies and profits." (votesmart.org)
With the amount of money we spend on Healthcare in the USA, single payer could provide quality healthcare for every citizen.

Immigration Issues

		b) Do you support decreasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country?
		c) Do you support establishing English as the official national language?
		d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
Unknown Position		a) Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
Virginia Graf. 2010. We the People of West Virginia: 2010 West Virginia Primary Election Candidate Survey. "Immigration policy and law needs an overhual. This is the responsibility of both Congressional Houses. It is not the States' responsibility. If I'm elected, I will work very hard on coming up with an honest and just solution. The current situation of illegal immigrants is unsettling. I am opposed to easy targets for political gain. I am for a system of analyzing how many immigrants does the United States want to welcome each year as a support to our economy. Two under just, but distinct questions: How many immigrants woul dmake a responsible addition to our current population? How many immigrants, in need of political asylum, can we afford to take? After these questions are honestly addressed, do we begin policies of enforcement. We are a nation of imigrants. We cannot forget that as we hear all kinds of anti-immigrant rhetoric.. My ancestors went through the era of "No Catholics, nor Irish need apply." My husband's parents were both German immigrants around WWII and were subjected to great humiliations. We don't need that again." (wtpwv.com) Virginia Graf. 2010. Project Vote Smart: West Virginia Political Courage Test. Immigration Issues: e) Other or expanded principles: "Immigration laws need to be re-evaluated. Prejudice & misinformation cloud judgment. Both my husband and I know how immigrants may be treated unfairly."
Immigration laws need to be re-evaluated. Prejudice & misinformation cloud judgment. Both my husband and I know how immigrants may be treated unfairly.

International Policy Issues

No		a) Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan?
No		b) Do you support increasing military assistance for Afghanistan?
No		c) Do you support increasing economic development assistance for Afghanistan?
		d) Should the United States continue to strike suspected terrorist targets in Pakistan?
		e) Do you support granting aid to countries when it is in the security interests of the United States?
Yes		f) Should the United States support the creation of a Palestinian state?
Yes		g) Do you support increasing sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy United Nations mandates?
Yes		h) Do you support the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq?
		i) Do you support the United States' involvement in free trade agreements?
International policy is one of our most important responsibilities. War never achieves lasting peace. We share one biosphere and it's time to recognize that fact and do all we can to be promoters of peace.

Social Issues

Yes		b) Do you support allowing openly-gay men and women to serve in the United States military?
Yes		c) Do you support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research?
		d) Should the federal government end affirmative action programs?
Unknown Position		a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
Virginia Graf. 2010. Project Vote Smart: West Virginia Political Courage Test. Social Issues: e) Other or expanded principles: "Social issues are not the place for federal government to legislate. I do not have the experience of being born homosexual and so I find it hard to speak for those who are born as homosexual beings."
d) unsure Social issues are not the place for federal government to legislate. I do not have the experience of being born homosexual and so I find it hard to speak for those who are born as homosexual beings.

Legislative Priorities

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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