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Eric Carlson'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.

Eric Carlson has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2022 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Illinois Congressional Election 2022 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No Do you support expanding federal funding to support social safety net programs such as Social Security and Medicare?
We must come up with a new system that relies on people investing more in their own retirement while they are still working, this is possible through tax cuts. These programs are rife with waste and fraud, and this must be addressed as priority one to ensure the viability of the programs.
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations,unions, and individuals?
Yes. I would like to see the entire campaign finance laws re-written to eliminate big/dark money, and undue influence by special interests over politicians.
No Do you support the protection of government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal liability in civil lawsuits concerning alleged misconduct?
If misconduct is proven, the individual should be treated as any other citizen would be. Police however, should NOT be sued for doing their jobs.
Yes Do you support increasing defense spending?
We live in a dangerous world with several adversaries that pose a literal existential threat to the United States. We must greatly improve HOW we spend our defense dollars, but must maintain strategic dominance no matter what for the security and safety of the entire world.
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No Do you support providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19?
Unknown Position Do you support the federal government taking action, beyond those of the Federal Reserve, to alleviate inflation?
The biggest issue is out of control federal spending and the printing of money that we do not have, this must end immediately.
No Do you support the forgiveness of federal student loan debt?
this sends the exact wrong message to the younger generations about responsibility in signing your name on a loan agreement. The cost of education must be brought down, far too much tax-payer money is funneled to institutions that have become big- business rather than preparing our younger citizens for the world that they will enter.
Yes Do you support requiring a government-issued identification in order to vote at the polls?
Voter ID is just one of the many reforms we need to make at a national level to ensure election integrity, and the trust of the people in the system. In Illinois you must have an ID to REGISTER to vote, therefore it is perfectly logical to require that same ID to be produced at the polls.
No Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?
Yes Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
Some pollution regulation is absolutely necessary, but should not cripple or limit our economic growth. Solyndra anyone?? The Capitalist system will provide the answers to the next great energy solution if government just stays out of the way. In the mean time, American oil, natural gas, and new nuclear power plants are the solution.
No Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
"the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
No Do you support a government-run (single-payer) healthcare program, such as Medicare-for-All?
Unknown Position Do you support expanding paid family AND/OR medical leave opportunities?
No Do you support lowering the cost of prescription drugs?
This is the socialist approach; companies must make a profit to increase research and development and to come up with new drugs and treatments. Their does need to be consumer protection to avoid price gouging, but restricting a free market is not the answer.
Yes 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 increasing security along the southern US border?
This is a priority. Complete the wall, stop ALL migration using the US military and Federal law enforcement agencies. Close the border to all traffic until Mexico secures their side of the border. Work with the Mexican government with joint operations between the US and Mexican militaries to obliterate the drug cartels for the good of the peoples of both nations. 108,000 Americans, mostly young, were killed in 2021 by Chinese Fentanyl trafficked by Mexican cartels. Our economic power is our greatest strength, and it should be used as our first option backed up by our military superiority if necessary.
Yes Do you support economic intervention as a means of resolving international conflicts?
Unknown Position Do you support the U.S. providing increased offensive military aid to Ukraine?
Our economic power is our greatest strength, and it should be used as our first option backed up by our military superiority if necessary. I support Ukraine in winning their war and removing Russian occupiers from Ukrainian soil. Aid must be well thought out and focused on the task at hand and the actual needs on the battlefield. Just throwing piles of money with no focused intent is wasteful.
No Do you support raising taxes, on any income or on any entity, to promote economic growth?
Increasing ANY tax aids in stifling growth. Taxes should be lowered across the board; it is government waste and over-spending that must be cut back. A lowered and simplified tax code and a flat tax for individuals along with a 15% corporate tax rate would spark huge growth and expansion of our economy.
No Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
Lower American corporate taxes to 15% and bring manufacturing back to the United States.
1) Term Limits/Congressional Reform - Empty Washington of career politicians who are bought and paid for by unions, corporations, and Big-tech companies. 2) Energy Independence - Return to the Trump administrations policies on energy production to reduce our overall cost of living. 3) Border Security - Stop illegal immigration, deport all illegals here, stop cross border drug trafficking, destroy the drug cartels. 100,000 American drug overdose deaths in 2021!

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