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Leon Threatt's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.

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Leon Threatt has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2016 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

North Carolina Congressional Election 2016 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I support Pro-Life legislation. I believe all Americans born and pre-born have a fundamental right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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?
I would not reduce defense spending until our Military is up the task of effectively and properly and effectively defending the homeland and our interest abroad. I national defenses are woefully inadequate. I do not believe increasing taxes is the solution to the budget. We must slow down the excessive spending by the federal government. America does not have a an income problem, but a spending problem.
No Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
We need additional campaign finance reform to gives the people voice say in the electoral process, not special interest groups, corporations and unions. I do believe the corporations and unions have an interest in the process, but as a citizen and not as big business.
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?
For capital murder capital punishment is appropriate. We must always seek for a restorative approach for non-violent offenses. Yes, counseling and treatments programs are a good step in the right direction. I do not believe our war on drugs have worked. Mandatory minimum sentences has incarcerated a generation of non-violent citizens. We must find other solutions.
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?
The current federal spending plan used to promote economic growth favors some companies and disadvantages others. The government should not pick the winners and losers of business. Yes, I so support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth. Its a simple common sense approach to economic incentives. The more money companies are able to keep the more they are able to expand their business and hire more people. No I do not believe providing tax incentives for business is fair. It picks some to win and others to loose, unless it is to all businesses.
No Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
No, I believe Education belongs at the State level and not the federal. Common Core is an example of the overreach of the federal government.
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?
The Keystone XL pipeline will provide jobs for Americans, it can be done safely without hurting the environment, and it moves America to greater energy independence. No, I do not support government funding for renewable energy. The free enterprise system works best. When innovation in renewable energy is profitable it will create a market for it. The consumer creates and control the market. No, I do not support increased regulations on hydraulic fracturing. This is a new and innovative industry and needs as little regulations as possible. Over regulations will hinder our quest to energy independence.
No Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No, I do not believe there is enough evidence to support the notion that climate change is cause by human activity. There is much evidence to indicate that climate change is natural, proven by the time of the ice age. There still needs to be more study before I am fully convinced. No, I do not support federal regulations to attempt to control greenhouse gas emissions. Again, I am very concerned about over regulations that can and do harm business and destroys manufacture jobs and industry. Over regulations hurts our economy. We must protect the environment and jobs.
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes, Americans do and must maintain their right to protect themselves against all enemies foreign and domestic.
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
The Affordable Care Act has been an absolute failure. It was a lie from the start and repealing it appears to be the only reasonable way to save our Medical and Insurance Healthcare systems. Free Enterprise is still the best way to drive up healthcare quality and drive down cost. Giving the American people choice in their healthcare providers and insurance providers is the best and most effective path to take.
No Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
No, because I don't think that is fully possible. We do need to create a common sense approach to creating a lawful status for those who choose to work in America and want to stay in America. For those who are seeking citizenship we must walk them through a legal, fair, compassionate and practical process. The failure of the Federal government to solve the immigration crisis is a major concern and disappointment.
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
No, I believe marriage can only be between one man and one woman. I also believe it is not the role or responsibility of the federal government nor the supreme court to define marriage. At the very most it would be in the hands of the States. The Tenth Amendment confirms that.
Yes Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Yes, additional support and intervention in the crisis in Iraq and Syria is needed. I would recommend that we work with our middle east allies to create safe cities there. We could work with the United Nation forces to provide security for those referees. Yes, we must do everything necessary to keep nuclear weapons from Tyrants, Dictators and Madmen! We must remain strong and a leading force for good around the world. We must lead through strength.
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
Yes, I would support a policy that would permit the younger generation to take a portion of their Social Security taxes to be used in a personal retirement account. This approach should began helping the younger generation to take a greater control over their own financial future. It should also help Americans of the future to depend less upon the federal government for their personal retirement.

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
Maintain Status c) Defense
Eliminate 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
Eliminate k) United Nations
Maintain Status l) Welfare
Eliminate a) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
Greatly Decrease c) Small business taxes
Maintain Status d) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Maintain Status e) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Slightly Decrease f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Greatly Decrease h) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Decrease i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate j) Inheritance taxes
Greatly Decrease k) Payroll taxes
l) Other or expanded categories
Education should be eliminated at the federal levels and the federal funding stay at the States. Education belongs to the states where parents have choice and control.
National Security is a must. Strengthen our military and restore and elevate our readiness. Funding by ensure we are not over spending on all defense contracts. Open up the bidding for Defense contracts to small businesses. Cut the wasteful overspending. Homeland Security is also a must. We must address the growing threat of Radical Islamic Terrorist. Secure the boarders and Vet all immigrants. Use local Law Enforcement agencies to enforce the Immigration laws. Get the out of control spending of the Federal Government under control. 19 Trillion must be addressed. Defend the Life of the Pre-Born

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