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Melody Shekari'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.

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

What is the Political Courage Test?

Tennessee Congressional Election 2016 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
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 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?
Yes 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?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Unknown Position Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
No Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
Yes Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
I support the 2nd amendment as well as common sense legislation requiring universal background checks and restricting the lethality of available weapons.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
Unknown Position Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Unknown Position Do you support increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support?
War should be an absolute last resort but we should never take an option off the table when it comes to keeping America safe.
No Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

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
Maintain Status b) Arts
Slightly Decrease c) Defense
Greatly Increase d) Education
Greatly Increase e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Slightly Increase g) International aid
Greatly Increase h) Medical Research
Greatly Increase i) Scientific Research
Greatly Increase j) Space exploration
Maintain Status k) United Nations
Slightly Increase l) Welfare
Slightly Increase a) Capital gains taxes
Slightly Increase b) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease c) Small business taxes
Maintain Status d) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Greatly Increase e) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Maintain Status f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Slightly Decrease h) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Increase i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Greatly Increase j) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status k) Payroll taxes
A) end subsidies to corporate farms; c) we need a more agile military, not a bigger one; e) massive investment in clean energy; g) international aid helps prevent terrorism; j) NASA's budget has suffered draconian cuts; l) welfare to work has been a policy disaster
b) corporate tax loopholes should be closed. We need a simplified and streamlined tax code that is easier on wage earners and working families is necessary
Investment in infrastructure (especially in energy and transportation), improved affordability and access to healthcare for low-income families, and support for economic development throughout the district.

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