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James Satcher'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.

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

What is the Political Courage Test?

Florida Congressional Election 2016 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
The incumbent Republican voted with Nancy Pelosi to give Planned Parenthood 500 million dollars after it was revealed they were selling baby parts. I will not cast a vote that funds killing unborn babies.
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 favor a zero based budgeting and the Paul Ryan plan to balance the budget. I do not believe in cutting our national defense and giving away our national security.
Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
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?
I am in favor of law enforcement. I do believe having more options beyond incarceration, especially for the mentally ill, makes sense in today's society.
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?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
It is a travesty that in our nation job creation and economic growth has been crushed by blocking the Keystone Pipeline and the War on Coal. These hurtful, immoral policies need to be revoked. I will be a friend to business and thereby a friend to the workers and families that need jobs.
Unknown Position Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
Common Core is a failed policy designed to increase dependency on the federal government and decrease the cohesion of families.
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?
Private industry has repeatedly proven to be the place for innovation to thrive. When government picks winners and losers, CEOs win and taxpayers lose.
Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
Unknown Position Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Human activity may have an impact on the climate, but that impact is negligible when compared to other factors over which we have no control at all. I am in favor of taking care of the planet, but not at the expense of its residents and the benefit of the regulators and scientist who need a perceived crisis to keep the money and power in their hands. I have no problems with reasonable steps to limit emissions, but I put a premium on keeping people working and energy for families affordable.
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Gun control policies have not made Washington DC or Chicago safe cities, and it will not help America as a whole. I support the 2nd Amendment and the NRA.
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
I believe we can keep those with pre-existing conditions covered and otherwise dismantle the disaster that is Obamacare. The writers of Obamacare purposefully staggered the implementation of the law over 10 years because they knew that Americans would revolt otherwise. The VA is a perfect example of the future of government run health care. We can do better.
Unknown Position Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
I do not favor citizenship for illegal immigrants.
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
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?
I am not in favor of "boots on the ground," but an airstrike to preclude the development of a nuclear weapon by a state sponsor of terror such as Iran is reasonable. Giving Iran diplomatic cover and billions of dollars to continue their work is extreme and unsafe.
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
It's their money. Options promote efficiency.

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.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Greatly Decrease b) Arts
Greatly Increase c) Defense
Eliminate d) Education
Greatly Decrease e) Environment
Slightly Increase f) Homeland Security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Maintain Status h) Medical Research
Maintain Status i) Scientific Research
Maintain Status j) Space exploration
Greatly Decrease k) United Nations
Greatly Decrease l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Greatly Decrease 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)
Greatly Decrease i) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate j) Inheritance taxes
Slightly Decrease k) Payroll taxes
"Greatly" is subjective, but I am in favor of a simpler, fairer, flatter tax code. I also favor a two year moratorium on corporate taxes on repatriated profits from corporations to bring the billions of dollars of US money kept overseas home to help our economy instead of Switzerland and Singapore.
I will target federal funding for abortion and propose to eliminate it. I will champion legislation to bolster 2nd Amendment protections and remove the chains off the US economy by approving the Keystone pipeline and relaxing regulations on coal.

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