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Rick Vandeven'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.

Rick Vandeven has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2018 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?
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.

Missouri Congressional Election 2014 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Roe v. Wade will never be overturned. Voters who believe that a candidate who has an endorsement from a "pro life" lobbying group will overturn Roe v Wade, or have any influence on established abortion law at the federal level have been duped.
Yes 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?
No Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I believe that contributions to candidates and political causes are examples of free speech, and should not be restricted due to the economic status of the contributor.
No Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
I believe in self defense, but not state sanctioned murder as a means of restitution or justice.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering taxes as a way of promoting growth in the economy?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
I support using tax credits to promote bringing in new businesses. I also support extending tax credits to existing businesses in those same areas.
No Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
I don't believe that the federal government has a role in regulating education at any level.
No Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
My primary objection to the Keystone XL pipeline is the private property rights violations that have occurred through the use of eminent domain in order to condemn multiple land tracts to construct the pipeline.
Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Humans have caused environmental disasters throughout history. I won't dismiss human caused climate change outright, but I am not convinced that it has happened either. I believe that pollution is a violation of individual property rights, and that the government has a proper role in enforcing pollution laws. US corporations are starting to tie sustainability goals to their earnings reports, and exchanging carbon credits on exchanges. This type of self policing is producing positive results, and is preferable to the hamfisted approach favored by the EPA.
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Individuals have the right to protect themselves, their families, and their property without having to receive permission
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
The ACA has been repealed at least 50 times already. I prefer presenting solutions to the issue instead. Adults should be allowed to self medicate by making all drugs available over the counter. I also believe that individuals who are providing insurance for themselves should receive a dollar for dollar tax credit.
No Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
The current immigration laws are archaic, impossible to follow, and do not reflect a free society with a dynamic economy. Over half of the migrant workers in the agricultural industry are here illegally. I believe that we need more immigrants, not less. I support issuing more work visas. I don't support erecting a fence around the country.
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
The government needs to get out of the marriage business.
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?
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Social Security is a burden to young workers and their families. I prefer to reduce current spending in order to meet our current obligations, give younger workers who have already paid into SS the option of receiving a full refund with interest, and eliminating the program for future generations.

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.

Greatly Decrease a) Agriculture
Eliminate b) Arts
Greatly Decrease c) Defense
Eliminate d) Education
Slightly Decrease e) Environment
Greatly Decrease f) Homeland Security
Greatly Decrease g) International aid
Slightly Increase h) Medical Research
Slightly Increase i) Scientific Research
Slightly Increase j) Space exploration
Eliminate k) United Nations
Maintain Status l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Eliminate a) Capital gains taxes
Eliminate b) Corporate taxes
Eliminate c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Eliminate d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Status e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Eliminate f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Maintain Status h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate i) Inheritance taxes
Eliminate j) Payroll taxes
k) Other or expanded categories
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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