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Andy Ostrowski'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.

Andy Ostrowski has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2014 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Pennsylvania Congressional Election 2014 Political Courage Test

Unknown Position Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
I am personally opposed to abortion, and would like to live in a world where it is simply not a viable option. I believe, however, in limited government according to constitutional principles, and separate spheres of political and religious/moral influence, I do not believe that the regulation of these choices is a proper matter for our government. I support the right to oppose the practice of abortion, but believe ultimately that it is a matter between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her God. The role of our government is to promote life-affirming policies, to promote the general welfare.
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?
I believe that there are core institutional issues, and chronyist practices that need to be addressed, including tax reform, before I would consider raising taxes.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
No Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes 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 government engaging in the improvement of our infrastructure, which is a core, basic function of any government.
Unknown Position Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
Unknown Position Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
I believe that the exploitation of our national resources, and the use of private property for these purposes is both something that we must allow and promote, but also something that the government has a duty to make sue is being done safe. The profit motive by large energy corporations is not a sufficient check on the potential catastrophic consequences to our drinking water and natural resources in the event of environmental accidents.
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
There are no further restrictions that are needed.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Fifty-three percent of all personal bankruptcies in this country were the result of catastrophic medical expenses. This is a national problem as to which it was appropriate for the Congress to act. I support serious amendment to the law to minimize the impact on businesses of this legislation, and to address the abuses of the insurance industry that contribute to excessive costs of medical care in America.
No Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
I believe this is wholly impracticable, and involves many excessive hidden costs. These issues should be adjudicated by the immigration court.
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
I oppose government intrusion into purely private affairs.
Yes Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
As a political outsider, and non-incumbent, I have not developed comprehensive views on these matters f national security, which is dependent upon information that would come through legislative briefings. I am fully confident that I will always support efforts to provide for the common defense, and keep our homeland safe and secure.
Unknown Position Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
The social security fund should be kept out of the vagaries of market fluctuations to protect against what happened in 2008. Some longer term solutions may be proper to discuss, but the accounts of those who have paid in should be fully protected.

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.

a) Agriculture
b) Arts
c) Defense
d) Education
e) Environment
f) Homeland Security
g) International aid
h) Medical Research
i) Scientific Research
j) Space exploration
k) United Nations
l) Welfare
a) Capital gains taxes
b) Corporate taxes
c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
f) Income taxes (low-income families)
g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
h) Income taxes (high-income families)
i) Inheritance taxes
j) Payroll taxes
I have not studied the actual numbers on these issues, and reviewed the federal budget, and budgetary impact of these programs. I believe there are structural, institutional problems that lead to the chrony culture that has lead to income inequality and diminished prosperity in our country that must be addressed. In a true free enterprise system, free of corrupting influence, I believe we can achieve a state of real prosperity for all.
We need to return government to the people, and eliminate the corrupting influences that are leading to the diminution of the rights of the individual, and the expansion of government control and authority. We need serious court reform in this country, which is an issue that goes unnoticed in almost all races for legislative seats in this country, and which has implications far beyond the confines of our courthouses, and on the greater society.

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