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Preston Nelson's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Preston Nelson is currently being tested through the 2024 Political Courage Test.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "One fundamental cause of our retirement and financial woes is pervasive inflation. Even at the Fed’s target rate of 2-3%, the value of the dollar is cut in half every 27-35 years. That makes it doubly hard to retire, or pay for future procedures. If we want to really fix these great issues, then we must confront the real roots. Our founders did not want a currency that could be inflated, they even wrote into the Constitution a requirement of a gold/silver standard." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • "Social Security is a misnomer, as it has created insecurity, as we wonder how to pay for what might really be a great pyramid scheme. My own dad paid into Social Security during his entire life, only to receive a lousy return on his investment. Now, government misuses funds, and we wonder how we will pay for the future while forcing young people to pay for retirees. Medicare suffers the same problems that affect general healthcare: which is a corrupt and inefficient government raising prices, and reducing the quality and quantity of care. The free market will offer the best-value and most accessible healthcare. We have not seen free market in our lifetimes. We should really try it, but Democrats and Republicans have demonstrated over and over again that they will sell out to cronyism, as opposed to unchaining the free-market. GIVE THE FREE MARKET A CHANCE. People will provide, and innovate." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Chicago Sun Times "Yes, I support these. I would also like to see an end to the war on drugs, which in many states still pits police officers against peaceful people. The war on drugs has wasted so many resources, and hurt so many people and families. It has adversely affected minority communities. End this too, please." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "The Presidential initiative is good. I support all these measures. I also support Justin Amash’s bill to end qualified immunity, and the "Justice for Breonna Taylor" to end no-knock raids which have also killed many innocent people." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "End the madness. Bring our troops home. With our record, we are in no position to look at another nation or government, and try telling them how they ought to do things." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "Instead of preparing for a pandemic, the governments of George Bush, Barack Obama, and now President Trump have wasted, wasted, and wasted our precious wealth, treasure, and life in absurd campaigns on the other side of the globe. Based on bad policy, and outright lies, we can only wonder why we are still spending more money on these same wars than on any other budgetary item. With the money we are WASTING on war, we could buy a ventilator for every American. There is NO ACCOUNTABILITY, ANYWHERE in Washington. Hillary was not locked up, or even properly INVESTIGATED. Trump’s claims were a FARCE and an insult to the intelligence of many people clamoring for JUSTICE. These national actors have mislead us, while we COULD have been using public resources to plan for disasters, such as hurricanes and pandemics." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "Stop proliferating nuclear arms. Written agreements hardly function, but only real goodwill and peace will succeed at this end. That is why it is so crucial to have good, honest people leading our nation, as opposed to professional speakers, proficient at talking out of both sides of their mouth." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • PBS "War‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌racket,‌ ‌and‌ ‌everyone‌ ‌knows‌ ‌it.‌" (news.wttw.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "It was a joke. The impeachment did not even include Trump’s decision to strike Syria without Congressional approval. To me, this says that the impeachment was not serious, even just a public distraction as Trump and the Democrats were increasing spending to historic levels, allowing government contractors to make record profits." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "War, and government spending - No one really knows how much money the government is printing now, or the effect that it will have on inflation or the future value of our currency. The easiest way to cut spending is by bringing troops home. 19 years in Afghanistan, only to see an explosion in opium production? Enough is enough." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "I support immediate limits to government spending. There should be no new net spending, and Rand Paul’s "Penny Plan" should also be immediately implimented. As the greatest item in the discretionary budget, we could save a ton of money by switching to peace, and ending the quagmires in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Chicago Sun Times "Now, I recently met a Democratic donor as I was campaigning at a farmers’ market. Even he was concerned with all this newly created money, afraid that it would affect inflation. Now, if we devalue our currency with excessive quantitative easing, then our problems may multiply. Just let America go back to work, and the economy will be fine." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "One fundamental cause of our retirement and financial woes is pervasive inflation. Even at the Fed’s target rate of 2-3%, the value of the dollar is cut in half every 27-35 years. That makes it doubly hard to retire, or pay for future procedures. If we want to really fix these great issues, then we must confront the real roots. Our founders did not want a currency that could be inflated, they even wrote into the Constitution a requirement of a gold/silver standard." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "War, and government spending - No one really knows how much money the government is printing now, or the effect that it will have on inflation or the future value of our currency. The easiest way to cut spending is by bringing troops home. 19 years in Afghanistan, only to see an explosion in opium production? Enough is enough." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "16) What should Congress do to address the student loan crisis? Would you use the word "crisis"?" "It is certainly a crisis. Make all the loans interest-free." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "I did not realize when I signed up for a big student loan, what it was that I was actually signing. "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" is a great misnomer. It misleads students into making unwise financial decisions." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Chicago Sun Times "Guns should be appreciated for what they truly are: the great equalizer. Guns allow vulnerable people to defend themselves from predators. Children used to learn to use a rifle in school! I hate thinking that many Illinoisans are burdened from regular firearms training. Training is key." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "Illinois’ FOID card should be deemed null and voided since it is unconstitutional. Responsible gun ownership is life-saving. Get the government out of guns, then people will seriously, and honestly consider them with respect. Prohibition never works, neither for alcohol, nor for drugs, nor for guns." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "In 2018 I wrote legislation to protect children and people in Gun Free Zones, and I Presented it to my then Representative in Southern Illinois. He did not offer my bill to Congress, but he did make his own. His offered less real-time protection than mine, but Rep. Bost did include grants for panic buttons in schools." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "I would immediately remove as much regulation as possible. The (non bureaucratic) STRUCTURE of our medical system that we currently have in place is near perfect. We LITERALLY just need to get the government out of the way. We have all the resources and means for production. The American people will have no problem caring for themselves and each other as they would like." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "Most doctors’ greatest cost of doing business is literally in the bureaucracy, just maintaining "government compliance." This is unacceptable, and it is creating a shortage of doctors. The federal government has no Constitutional authority to manage or regulate healthcare. Get the government totally out of the way, and then the market will accommodate most everyone. We have the research, the schools, the hospitals, and the doctors. We can seriously do without the government." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • "I would not take healthcare policies away from anyone, and anyone who has a government policy should be able to keep it, but totally deregulate private insurance, and I will bet you money that people will soon move away from government options and towards cheaper, better options. Millions of Americans, including my own family, lost their previous policies due to new "Obamacare" regulations. That is also unnacceptible. Together with my plan to Make America Healthy Again, America’s nearly $4 trillion annual healthcare costs could be slashed. People will be healthier, and happier. With these long term solutions, people will ask "Why would we even want the government involved in healthcare?"' (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Chicago Sun Times "I support the immediate acceptance of all "DACA Eligible" people as American Citizens. "DACA" as a government program, is another massive failure, simply using human beings as pawns in political bargaining. Democrats and Republicans both should be ashamed of themselves. Our borders should be immediately secured from foreign threats such as armies, and diseases." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "I support the immediate acceptance of all "DACA Eligible" people as American Citizens. "DACA" as a government program, is another massive failure, simply using human beings as pawns in political bargaining. Democrats and Republicans both should be ashamed of themselves. Our borders should be immediately secured from foreign threats such as armies, and diseases." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Chicago Sun Times "There are infinitely more good people on both sides, than there are bad people. Most government barriers prohibit the good people from working together. I propose an end to the sanctions." (chicago.suntimes.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
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.
Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
I do support closing tax loopholes and ending corporate welfare, but I do not support increases in any brackets. The 3 main contributors to debt are Social Security, Medicare and "Defense" spending. All 3 of these must be reformed if we are to take control of our nation's finances. Certain players in government and the media have distorted truth and led us into counter-productive wars all over the globe, from Vietnam to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc. This has cost us trillions we do not have. We need truth and goodness. Our defense forces are for OUR DEFENSE, not Afghanistan's.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I do not support the current system. No regulations would be better than what we now have, where individuals are regulated and limited while PACs and special interests give millions to politicians. If there are to be regulations, then, firstly, government contractors and other entities who receive federal funds should not be allowed to make financial contributions to candidates or politicians or parties. Currently, the largest government contractors are also the highest-spending lobbyists, and the defense industry leads them all. This may provide insight into our current state of never-ending war.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
The recent lowering of the corporate tax rate was fantastic, now the Republican Congress MUST follow through and cut spending. Increasing federal spending will only increase the debt, and the amount we pay in yearly interest ($400+ Billion in 2016). That is money down the drain. If Congress fails to cut spending now, then we will be steered even faster towards economic distress. This is a primary motivator in my campaign for Congress. Republicans control every branch of government, but in 2017, they failed to make any meaningful cuts to the overall budget.
No Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
The Constitution makes no provision for the federal government to mandate education standards across the nation. Moreover, top-down approaches are just bad for the people and the budget. Federal mandates probably work most to inhibit societal and educational innovation. Obama implemented such standards; they were poorly received and had poor results.
No Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
I support an unfettered free market as private innovation is the best, most efficient way forward. Who invented the light bulb? It wasn't the government. Neither was it the government who invented solar power. The people can and will provide the best way forward when they are free from government control. Regardless the effect of greenhouse emissions, I view a "carbon tax" as yet another government power-grab. If we are to move beyond carbon-energy, then it must be the people's prerogative. However, government should certainly stop subsidizing the oil industry.
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
There is already sufficient laws against gun violence. There needs to be more enforcement in violent inner-cities. This is not something the legislature can fix.
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
The R Party has totally failed in this endeavor. They have allowed the socialists to control the conversation. Who cares anymore about the millions of Americans, my family included, who lost the policies and doctors they liked because of Obama's regulation? The ACA is failing anyway. I do not support stripping coverage from people who now have it, but the regulations that caused policies to disappear should all be repealed. Congressional and Senate Republicans should be ashamed for failing their constituents and the free market on this front.
No Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
Yes Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Citizenship with the right to vote should be only for people born here. However, it should be simple and easy for good and peaceful people to come here and even work. This is GOOD for the economy as they also become consumers. Currently, it is practically impossible to come here and work legally. This should be changed, then people will come legally and we all benefit. There must be background checks. Most illegal immigrants do not physically walk over the border. Many are not even from Mexico, but Eastern Europe. In certain high-volume areas, I would support a wall.
Yes Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
Moreover, I support the legalization of all natural substances. Prohibition never did, and still does not work. The drug war has enabled a massive black market and incredible violence in Mexico to control these profits, while in America, something like 1/3 people are on Pharmaceutical opioids. These synthetic drugs are a direct result of the drug war and bad policy. Naturally occurring opium is much safer and less addictive than what big Pharma and the FDA allows into our medicine cabinets. Return to nature, the way God made it, and let people be free from force and fraud.
No Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
No Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
These miserable policies have only pushed other nations towards nuclear weapons and increased conflict in the Middle East. We should have left Korea's borders decades ago, but our constant presence, including our nuclear subs that patrol the waters, have only further motivated the paranoid regime to develop nukes. What now? They have them. It is no longer possible to avoid a nuclear Korean peninsula. Our sanctions failed. Pushing peace is ever more important. Fortunately, the North and South have been talking more. Let's hope they continue. Only peace can fix this. Anything else is more death and destruction.
Balanced Budget Amendment Define the beginning of legally-protected life (fetus with heartbeat) HR 608: Stop Arming Terrorists Act - It's sad, but true. Our government has armed terrorists for decades, from Afghanistan in the 80s, to Syria's "moderate rebels" that became ISIS, so the Libyan terrorist pawns that gave us an excuse to bomb Qaddafi. This must end. Require specific Congressional approval for all foreign military action, including covert action by the CIA. Sponsored coups, like the Iranian deal in 1953 by the CIA have proven bad for the whole world. The constitution was written to prevent this.

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