Candidate Survey
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Federal Minimum Wage (1 of 36)
Federal Minimum Wage: The Federal Minimum Wage (FMW) has been unchanged at $7.25 since 2009. Most states have passed their own state minimum wage laws, some of which are higher and some of which are lower than the FMW. If there is no state minimum wage or if the state minimum wage is lower than the FMW then the FMW applies to that state. Some people believe that raising the FMW is necessary to ensure that people can earn a “living wage”, meaning a wage that is high enough to allow an acceptable standard of living for their families. Others believe that raising the FMW will replace low-paying jobs with automation and thus harming small businesses. Yet others believe that minimum wage laws should be left to individual states and cities. The highest historical FMW peaked in 1968 at $1.60 per hour, which, adjusted for inflation, is approximately $11.75 in 2019 dollars. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Abortion (2 of 36)
Abortion: Basing its decision on the right to privacy contained in the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in 1973 that abortion before a fetus is viable is legal. In the context of the ruling, the Court held that viability means the ability to live outside the womb. Regulations for abortion exist regarding the woman’s and fetus’ health, whether the pregnancy was the result of rape, or incest, etc., and vary by state. Some believe that abortion lies within the frame of women’s healthcare, and the ability of a woman to have control of her body is critical to civil rights. Supporters also argue that the choice whether or not to continue a pregnancy lies solely with the mother and her healthcare provider, and that the state shouldn’t be able to regulate what a woman can and cannot do regarding her decision whether or not to start a family. Others believe that life begins at conception, concluding that abortion is analogous to murder as it is the act of taking human life, and that obtaining an abortion can cause medical complications later on in life, such as a higher risk for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. Opponents to abortion also argue that adoption is a viable option for mothers who feel they aren’t able to start a family and accomplishes the same result. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Marginal Tax Rates (3 of 36)
Marginal Tax Rates: The highest marginal tax rate is the rate used for the highest bracket of your personal income. In the past thirty years the highest marginal tax rate for the richest Americans has been below 40%, while in the period 1930s-1980 that rate was over 60%. Some have  proposed raising the marginal tax rate on income over $10,000,000. Thus, anyone making more than $10M in one year would pay a tax of 70% on the amount above $10M. Some believe that a higher marginal tax rate for the rich will help lower inequality in our country. Others believe that higher marginal tax rates undermine incentives to innovate and unjustly penalizes success. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Prescription drug prices (4 of 36)
Prescription Drug Prices: The US spends far more on healthcare per person than any other developed country in the world.  A major contributor to the cost difference is the price of prescription drugs, which are, on average, about twice as expensive as in other developed countries, and form 17% of total healthcare costs. In recent years, drug companies have significantly raised prices on drugs that have been on the market for years. Drug companies cite the need for research and development (R&D) of new drugs as one of the reasons for these price increases. Due to patent protections (typically 20 years), there may be no generic alternatives available. There is also a law in the US which prevents Medicare, the single largest healthcare provider, from negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that aims to directly negotiate drug prices for millions of Californians in an attempt to keep prices down for consumers. Some believe that pharmaceutical companies are taking advantage of Americans and the government must intervene. Others believe that the government should not interfere in the market for prescription drugs. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Privatizing Veteran's healthcare (5 of 36)
Privatizing the VA: All members of the military and their families get comprehensive health care coverage.   The mission statement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is: "To fulfill President Lincoln's promise ‘To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan’ by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans." The VA has undergone a few major changes in the past 20 years. In 1988 President Reagan elevated the leader of the VA to a cabinet level position. In 1996, President Clinton signed the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act, which transformed the system from a set of hospital locations to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) type healthcare system to treat all veterans and not just injuries directly related to their service.  In 2014 a major scandal broke that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals were not meeting the requirement to see any veteran within the required 14 days.  This resulted in the creation of the Veterans Choice Program which allowed veterans seeking treatment to visit private providers.  Supporters for privatizing the VHA healthcare system believe that veterans should be able to choose private healthcare.  Opponents believe we need to increase funding for our VHA programs to ensure that access remains universal as privatization of veteran healthcare would be the beginning of the end for ensuring coverage for veterans. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Universal Broadband (6 of 36)
Universal Broadband: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets a standard for the minimum broadband upload and download speeds that are “adequate” to participate in high traffic activities and that should be provided in the US. Currently, 39% of people living in rural America lack access to broadband internet that meets this minimum standard versus 4% in urban America. The consequence is that, in general, the rural areas end up paying a higher price for a worse service, and subsequently cannot compete in businesses which require strong access to the internet. The situation exists because the cost per connection to install the network is, for a telecommunications company, much more expensive in rural areas. In the 1930s and 1940s, the FCC created a system of loans and grants to ensure that everyone in America had access to equal electric and telephone service. The current debate is whether the FCC should do something similar for internet access. Australia executed exactly such a project in the past decade at a cost of about $50B, creating broadband access for everyone. Some believe that America should value providing economic opportunities through internet access to all. Others believe that the cost for such a project would far outweigh the benefits. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Foreign Aid (7 of 36)
Foreign Aid: The United States has been sending money overseas to help foreign countries since World War I. Post-war, the American Relief Administration (ARA), sent millions of dollars in aid to help war-torn Europe with food distribution as well as typhus. More famously, at the beginning of the Cold War in 1948, Congress passed the Marshall Plan which aimed to boost post-war European economies with substantial aid. From 1948 to 1952, Europe experienced the fastest period of growth in its history. Although Europe’s economy was on pace for recovery at that point, many historians agree that the plan helped speed up that recovery substantially. Since this time, especially as the Cold War ramped down, U.S. expenditures on foreign aid have been decreasing as a percentage of spending to just around 1% of the budget today. In the modern age, most non-military aid the United States sends overseas is typically sent to developing countries. The top three recipients of economic assistance from the U.S. in 2017 were Iraq, Ethiopia, and Kenya in that order. Around 85% of the money sent to these countries is given to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) rather than straight to the governments themselves.Some believe that foreign aid is a waste of federal dollars and that money sent overseas is better spent at home where there are still plenty of problems to deal with. They feel that on top of spending U.S. tax dollars to no tangible benefit of the American taxpayer, it is an economic crutch for these countries which violates the free market and impairs their independent development. Others believe that American aid can be a force for good that can produce serious economic upsides and reinvigorate entire economies, similar to the Marshall Plan. They believe that American aid is critical to maintaining the United States’ moral authority, prestige, and reputation. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Role of the Media (8 of 36)
Role of the Media: The role of the media has steadily increased over the past 100 years, with the advent of radio, television, cable news, the internet, social media and more. With so many information sources available it is sometimes difficult to cut through the noise and know what is fact, what is opinion,  and what is propaganda by partisan organizations, or even by foreign actors. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion?
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North American Trade Agreements (9 of 36)
North American Trade Agreements: In 1992, President Bush signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada. It was enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1993. It has recently been superseded by a renegotiated agreement named USMCA. The original goal of NAFTA was to create free trade between our borders, and bring Mexico into the high wage economy of the US and Canada. President Ford stated in September 1993 that not passing NAFTA would guarantee a wave of illegal immigration, as ratifying this deal would improve the Mexican economy, thereby allowing Mexican citizens to create a good life in Mexico. By eliminating tariffs (an import tax paid on imports) on most goods among these three countries, trade volume with Canada tripled since 1993 and with Mexico, increased seven-fold. Supporters of NAFTA believe that it has produced benefits for the US economy through the increased exports to Mexico and resulted in lower prices for consumers based on lower-cost imports from Mexico.  Opponents of NAFTA believe that it has caused a major reduction of manufacturing jobs in the US, and was the trigger for the decline in the American middle class. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Student Loan Debt (10 of 36)
Student Loan Debt: About 70% of all students graduate college with significant student debt. Today, 44 million college graduates have, on average, about $37,000 in student debt, for $1.5 trillion in total. Debt rates are increasing fast: today’s average monthly student debt payment is almost $400/month, which is nearly double the amount from 15 years ago. Starting your professional life with significant debt often delays key life decisions, such as buying a first home, starting a family or starting a business. Federal student loan interest rates are 5.05% for students. Federal student loan interest rates for parents are 6.6-7.6%, compared to 4.0-4.5% for a mortgage loan. Private student loan interest rates can be higher or lower than these figures, dependent on credit scores. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
No fault Absentee Voting (11 of 36)
No fault Absentee Voting: Every state in the US allows for absentee ballot voting, where a registered voter can request a ballot, and vote by mail before election day. For a majority of states, anyone can request an absentee ballot, no questions asked, a so-called “no fault absentee ballot”. A minority of states require a “qualified excuse” to submit an absentee ballot. Acceptable excuses vary by state, but include things such as being disabled, being part of active military, living overseas, working at a polling place, or being away on election day. A few states allow a voter to apply to be on a permanent absentee ballot list which means they are automatically sent an absentee ballot in every election. Some states, such as Oregon, have made voting by mail the standard process.  Some believe no-fault absentee ballots encourage more voter participation and makes elections more accessible. Others believe that ballots are too susceptible to voter fraud, thus threatening the integrity of our system. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Pre K (12 of 36)
Pre-K: The current US education system provides access to education from K-12. There is research that shows that children attending preschool do better through the rest of their schooling, and achieve better outcomes in adulthood.  However, there is also research that shows that the benefits may only apply through the 3rd grade. Access to preschool and pre-K education is typically only available to those who can afford it, and therefore, some say that not having government sponsored pre-K is increasing the equity gap in the US from a very early age. Currently, 3 states have fully funded pre-K with another 6 having mostly universal pre-K. Some believe that government funded pre-K will help ensure that more children make it successfully through the school system. Others believe that separating children from their parents at such an early age can be detrimental to the family while not bringing the developmental benefits. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Legal Representation in Eviction Court (13 of 36)
Legal Representation in Eviction Court: Eviction is the process by which a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property. This could be because the tenant has not paid the rent, or has violated the terms of the lease (boarders or pets for example.) In many states, it can also be a no-fault eviction, which means a landlord is removing the tenant without cause. Evictions are handled in civil court, which means that tenants are not guaranteed the right to counsel, while the majority of landlords do attend with legal representation. Evictions most affect the poor and senior citizens, and especially those who are paying upwards of 50% of their income on housing. One proposal to help ensure a fair eviction process is to guarantee legal representation to tenants. New York and San Francisco (two high rent locations), have recently passed such legislation, and after one year of its operation under the new rules in New York, has resulted in 84% of people staying in their homes. Supporters of laws mandating legal representation for tenants believe that the system should support those most in need, and that keeping people in their homes is a far cheaper solution than homelessness. Opponents believe that if tenants get free representation then landlords should receive such support as well. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
US Military Spending (14 of 36)
US Military Spending: The US spends about 15% (about $700B) of its federal annual budget on military spending, more than the next 10 countries combined. The budget is used to preserve our current military force, invest in old and new warfare technology, and execute military actions overseas. A big difference between the US military and other military forces around the world is that many other countries only invest in defense spending for their own protection, whereas US foreign policy allows for the use of troops around the world. Supporters of our current military spending levels believe that it is necessary to remain the world’s leading superpower. Opponents of our current spending levels believe that we should focus more on diplomatic efforts, or believe that there is a great deal of waste and inefficiency in military contracting. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Plastic Water Bottle Ban (15 of 36)
Plastic Water Bottle Ban: A study by the Beverage Marketing Corporation found that water is America’s favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Estimates show that Americans use 50B plastic water bottles per year over the past few years; however, only about 25% of those bottles were recycled. In 2013, Concord MA became the first US locale to ban plastic water bottles. The practice of bottled water started in the 1850s, when resorts in Saratoga Springs began bottling their water, quoting the health benefits of pure mountain water. By the early 1900s, municipal water supplies became regulated and regulated and safe for drinking, and at this point, bottled water saw a decline in commercial success. Then, in the late 1970s, as jogging emerged as a popular social trend, bottle water, seen as a status symbol, made a resurgence. Some believe the environmental benefits of banning plastic water bottles are significant ,both from the perspective of waste, and implications of manufacturing on the environment. Others believe that this blanket ban would cause more people to return to drinking sugary, packaged drinks, and would lead to bigger issues if the municipal water supply becomes contaminated. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Affirmative Action (16 of 36)
Affirmative Action: President John F. Kennedy was the first to introduce affirmative action in the US in 1961. He signed an executive order to ensure that government employers did not discriminate based on race and to "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin". This was extended to gender in 1967. In 1978, Allan Bakke sued the University of California, which had reserved 16 out of 100 spots in the medical school for minority students. The Supreme Court ruled that the quota system was unconstitutional while considering minority status was allowed. In 2003, the Supreme Court confirmed their decision in Grutter v. Bollinger allowing the University of Michigan to continue their race-conscious admissions policy. Some believe that Affirmative Action ensures that a fair evaluation is given to all applicants and gives benefits to disadvantaged minorities in the case of a tie. Others believe that this regulation is reverse discrimination and removes appreciation and incentives for individual performance. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Global Terrorism (17 of 36)
Global Terrorism: While the threat of extremism as a result of failed or unstable states has gone up, deaths from international terrorism have declined. Since the peak of activity in 2014 when more than 32,500 people were killed around the world, there has been a 22% global decrease of activity and deaths as a result of international terrorism. As instability throughout the Middle East and Africa continues to rise, the countries involved become more likely to harbor extremism. Areas that have no solid government, are in the middle of a civil war, or are suffering from a "breakdown of social order" are at the highest risk of fostering extremism. When analyzing terrorist threat levels across different nations, the U.S. is currently at an elevated level, meaning that there’s a significant chance of terrorist attacks. The view within the U.S. is unclear whether or not the “War on Terror” is being won and many believe that neither side is winning. Americans are also divided on whether or not the “War on Terror” has weakened or strengthened terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS. Many also believe that the war in Iraq has only increased the threat of terrorist attacks globally. Some argue that the current U.S. strategy must change into one that focuses on prevention, starting by helping to strengthen the world's most at-risk countries. Others argue that we are doing too much in our efforts fix the issue, and our approach to battling terrorism is only perpetuating the problem, not solving it. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
War on Drugs (18 of 36)
War On Drugs: Beginning in the 1980s, the American prison population dramatically increased. One of the contributors to this has been the War on Drugs. President Nixon declared it in 1971, and the war was further developed during President Reagan’s term in office. This included First Lady Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign, the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, and notably, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act changed the system of federal supervised release (similar to probation) from a system which sought to help change the behavior of ex-convicts, to one which punishes them for repeated behavior. The bill also added mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offences. The Sentencing Reform Act made sentencing guidelines uniform and abolished federal parole. Since 1980, the United States prison population has quadrupled, with most inmates being minorities, coming from low-income backgrounds, or both. Around the same time of this surge in incarceration rates, national crime rates decreased. About 15% of inmates in state prisons and 45% of inmates in federal prisons are in for drug offences, many of which are related to marijuana. Despite overall lower levels of drug use, African Americans are more likely to be charged with a drug offence than Caucasians. Some say that stricter drug policy has led to a safer America. Furthermore, they point out that drugs incur societal costs, and any recreational use should be restricted. Others say the War on Drugs is unjust, and it disproportionately impacts low-income and minority groups. They also note that it has led to the United States holding one of the largest prison populations in the world, one that is very expensive, and not being effectively rehabilitated. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Diversity Visa Program (19 of 36)
Diversity Visa Program: The Diversity Visa Program, also referred to as the visa lottery, makes 50,000 visas available to countries with low rates of immigration to the US.  These countries are determined based on the last 5 years of immigration numbers.  10-15M people apply each year for this program, 100,000 are then selected at random to be vetted for the final approval of 50,000 people to enter the US.  All people who are accepted to this program go through the same thorough checks as any other legal immigrant to the US.  To be eligible to apply you must have at least a high school diploma and have worked for 2 of the past 5 years in a field that requires training and/or experience.  There have been numerous attempts to repeal the program over the past 20 years, an effort that has been supported by both Democrats and Republicans.  Some believe that adding to the diversity of the US is a good thing, as it helps present a welcoming face to the world and overwhelmingly brings hard-working, law-abiding residents to the US. Others believe that it is an avenue for less qualified people to enter the US and therefore has less benefit to society than traditional forms of legal immigration. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Individual Mandate (20 of 36)
Individual Mandate: The ACA or Obamacare introduced the individual mandate: a penalty of up to 2.5% of a family’s income to be paid if a family did not have qualifying health coverage. The argument for the individual mandate is that otherwise families could decide to only get insurance when they were facing serious health issues. Before Obamacare, if Americans signed up when facing a serious health issue, insurance companies could choose to not accept due to the applicants' "pre-existing conditions". Some refer to this method as "gaming the system" because it can lead to skyrocketing premiums for everyone else, similar to allowing people to buy car insurance just after they get into an accident. The argument against the individual mandate is that it forces people to buy something they may not want, which restricts their freedom as guaranteed by our constitution. In 2019 the individual mandate has been eliminated by Congress through the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, while the remainder of the ACA is still intact. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion?
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Drone Strikes (21 of 36)
Drone Strikes: A drone is a remote controlled aerial vehicle, also called Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).  Drones have been used militarily to carry bombs and missiles and have been used by the US to carry out attacks overseas on high value targets. Drones have been used in such cases for centuries. The first instance was when the Austrian military launched 200 unmanned balloons in 1849 armed with bombs, and the British Navy created drones in the 1930s used for target practice.  Prior to 9/11 US drones were primarily used for surveillance.  After 9/11 President Bush authorized the Predator program which created a list of “High Value Targets” that needed no further approval for a drone strike.  Starting in 2008, the CIA, under President Obama, started “Signature Strikes” which target people both on and off the list, and still do not require additional approval. Some believe drone strikes keep our troops safe, as they avoid boots on the ground, and effectively fight terrorism, as precision strikes can be executed quickly. Others believe that drones kill as many civilians as terrorists, that their use lacks sufficient oversight, and they have created more terrorists in those regions. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion?
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Social Media Regulation (22 of 36)
Social Media Regulation: Social media sites, when used responsibly, could lead to peaceful protests, and have the ability to organize movements in countries around the world. At their worst, they provide a platform for terrorist organizations to recruit and spread their message. These sites all use algorithms to put information in front of their users. These algorithms are based on the content users are looking at, which advertisers have paid them, and who in their network is posting that content. Recently, social media has come under scrutiny, when Russian Intelligence attempted to influence the 2016 American Presidential race by using social media. The debate about social media is comprised of two elements: The first of which describes a public fear of the potential social media has in being manipulated into propaganda or used to share incendiary, offensive, or classified content. The second element describes a growing concern amongst the digital community regarding the vast amounts of personal data being collected, and sold by big data companies, as shown famously by Cambridge Analytica during the 2016 election. Some believe we need stronger governmental regulation on social media, and that these companies should be held accountable for what happens on their platforms. Others believe that government oversight of social media is a violation of free speech and that these companies should not be held accountable for what their users post on their sites. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Corporate Tax Rate (23 of 36)
Corporate Tax Rate: The 16th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed in 1913 and allowed Congress to "have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived".  Until 1935 corporations paid income taxes based on one fixed percentage.  After 1935 income brackets were established to set different rates for different income levels.  The number of brackets and corresponding rates have changed over time. The highest rate for corporations came in 1969 when they were 52.8%.  In 2017 the US corporate tax rate was cut from 35% down to its current rate of 21%.  A group of developed countries (e.g. France, Germany, Sweden and Mexico) which form the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have an average corporate tax rate of 24%. Supporters of a lower corporate tax rate believe that it creates jobs by allowing companies to invest that money in their employees and growth as well as attracting foreign investment. Opponents of a lower corporate tax rate believe that it is just a tax giveaway to the rich, who own the large majority of all stocks. They argue that the lower corporate tax rate should have been accompanied by an increase in the capital gains tax rate. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Currency Manipulation (24 of 36)
Currency Manipulation: The US has a large trade deficit with the rest of the international community. Some of this deficit is caused by countries who manipulate their currencies to improve their trade outcomes.  Exchange rates between currencies are the basis by which the value of goods bought and sold are set, and therefore, countries can manipulate their currency by affecting this rate. There are two main methods of manipulating currency that a country may adopt. Exchange rates are generally set by supply and demand, if more people want a given currency, it becomes more valuable and vice versa. Some countries will buy the US dollar to change the supply/demand ratio, and therefore increase the value of our currency while simultaneously devaluing their own. Other countries engage in direct governmental intervention when it comes to market evaluation of their currency. China, Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, and Taiwan have been the largest perpetrators. It is believed that if we could eliminate this practice, it would increase the number of US jobs, as the value of foreign goods would increase making it more cost effective to manufacture in the US. Some believe that the US should take a much stronger stance against currency manipulation. Others believe that the US should tread lightly to avoid trade disputes that may do more harm than good. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
GI Bill (25 of 36)
GI Bill: After WWII, veterans were facing significant challenges coming back from war and reintegrating themselves into the societies they had left. The G.I. Bill gave veterans and their families access to education and vocational training programs. Many of these veterans who would otherwise have entered the workforce immediately, were able to come home and opt for a formal education instead. The bill itself has been altered, extended, expanded and redesigned multiple times, most recently since 2009, with the post-9/11 G.I. bill specifically intended to provide benefits for anyone serving active duty after the September 11th attacks in 2001, The new G.I. Bill significantly increased benefits such as full tuition at any public college in their state and included National Guard and Reserve members who had been activated and saw at least 90 days of active duty since 9/11. Beneficiaries are able to earn an associates, bachelors, and advanced college degree. There are also job training programs, licensing and certifications, work study and apprenticeship programs offered as well. The annual cost is about $11 billion, while the total spending per recipient is approximately $17,000.Some support the legislation, and feel the educational benefits for those who risked their lives are minimal provisions considering their sacrifice and should be guaranteed for all military members and their families from this point forward. Others feel the legislation should be more specific and selective with the benefits it provides, and that we have to provide benefits within our financial means as a nation, as well as removing the ability for family members of veterans to benefit at all. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Euthanasia (26 of 36)
Euthanasia: Active euthanasia involves an act such as the administration of a lethal dose of painkillers. Passive euthanasia involves inaction, such as refraining from administering CPR, or turning off life-support. Euthanasia can also be sub-categorized into voluntary euthanasia (a decision made directly by the patient) or involuntary euthanasia (a decision made for an unconscious patient by others). Some believe that patients have the right to die in a dignified and compassionate manner, the same way they have the right to refuse life-saving treatment. Others believe that euthanasia violates the Hippocratic Oath of Ethics that doctors and nurses take to care for patients, or that it may disproportionately affect the poor, if insurance companies begin using it as a means to cut costly end-of-life care expenses. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Ranked Choice Voting (27 of 36)
Ranked Choice Voting: In elections using RCV, each voter ranks the candidates in order of their preference, instead of only selecting their first choice. On election night, all ballots are counted for voters’ first choices. If one candidate receives an outright majority, he or she wins. If no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the fewest first choices is eliminated, and voters who ranked that candidate first have their ballots instantly counted towards their second choice. This process repeats, and last-place candidates are eliminated until one candidate reaches a majority, thus winning the race. Your vote only counts for your second choice if your first choice has been eliminated. RCV has been used in various cities for over a decade (e.g. San Francisco, Sante Fe, Minneapolis), and since 2018, state-wide in Maine. Some believe it restores majority rule, avoids vote splitting, gives more voice to voters, provides more choice for voters, and reduces incentives for negative campaigning. Others believe that it is more complicated for voters to understand, often does not produce a majority winner due to exhausted ballots, and usually produces the same result as in the current system. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Supreme Court Term Limits (28 of 36)
Supreme Court Term Limits: While unanimous decisions on controversial cases used to be the norm, under Chief Justice Roberts, the number of 5-4 rulings is at an all-time high. From religious liberties and marriage equality to healthcare and gun rights, these one-vote decisions tend to fall on the most divisive issues. The United States is the only democracy in the world that has lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices, and with 30+ year terms becoming more common, the growing polarization of the Court is a growing topic for political debate. A term limit of 18 years is an often-suggested idea to keep the Court fresh.Supporters of Supreme Court Justice term limits argue that when the Constitution was written, life expectancy was much shorter, and that life tenure has made the nomination process a political circus. Supporters also argue that term limits would make the Court more predictable, thus decreasing the number of shocking departures. Opponents of Supreme Court term limits claim that constant changes in the Court could lead to sudden and radical changes in doctrine, and that limits would chip away at the independence which is a hallmark of the Court’s persona. Opponents also claim term limits would further politicize the Court, reflecting the climate of the day rather than serving as the appropriate counterbalance to the other branches of government that the Constitution had intended. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Offshore Drilling (29 of 36)
Offshore Drilling: According to International Law, the United States has an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles off our coastlines. This economic zone is managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior. For a long time there was a bipartisan federal moratorium on ocean drilling; however, in 2008 President Bush lifted this restriction. Then, after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, President Obama took several steps to significantly reduce offshore drilling. In 2018, President Trump adjusted the regulations to allow drilling in around 90% of the ocean shelf. Some believe that offshore drilling will help the US achieve energy independence, others believe that the environmental risks outweigh the energy benefits. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
NATO Membership (30 of 36)
NATO Membership: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded soon after WWII to promote peace and cooperation among members and throughout the international community. Article 5 of NATO states that if one of the members is attacked, it should be seen as an attack on all members and they should all assist. Article 5 has only been invoked once in the history of NATO - after September 11th, 2001, when the US was attacked by terrorists. Currently, NATO consists of 29 members. 12 countries founded the organization in 1949, including the United States. Between this time and the Cold War, 4 more countries were added, and after the Cold War ended, NATO added 13 more. In 1991, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council was created to invite other countries to the growing alliance, and in 1997, it was extended to the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC).  There are currently an additional 22 countries which take part in the EAPC. The goal of NATO continues to be to maintain a strong international partnership that ensures a foreign power will be restrained from taking action against the alliance. While originally founded to protect the freedom of its member countries, NATO has extended to peacemaking efforts across the globe. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Single Family Zoning (31 of 36)
Single Family Zoning: Single-family detached homes have been for decades a hallmark of the American dream. On 75% of the land of most American cities, it’s illegal to build anything other than detached single-family homes. Apartment buildings, senior and student housing, and affordable housing, all of which are multi-unit, are banned. Apartment buildings are frowned upon, as they are seen as blocking the sun, polluting the air, and generally detrimental to a neighborhood’s desirability and character. However, as housing becomes more expensive, single-family homes are seen as increasingly inefficient usage of valuable land, ultimately limiting available housing and driving up housing costs. Cities such as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Minneapolis, Minnesota have begun attempts to address the issue, with Minneapolis up-zoning (changing the zoning to allow for higher-value or more dense use) every single-family neighborhood at once. Supporters of changing zoning laws claim that these changes will support public transportation, and make high cost cities more affordable. Opponents fear that property values and quality of life will suffer, bringing in more traffic and less sunlight into single-family neighborhoods. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Sanctuary Cities (32 of 36)
Sanctuary Cities: The Federal Government is responsible for the enforcement of immigration law. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the primary agency responsible for border control. Approximately 58,000 employees are tasked with protecting our 5,000 mile border with Canada, almost 2,000 mile border with Mexico, and over 300 ports of entry and all illegal entries by sea or water. The CBP is also authorized to setup checkpoints within 100 miles of any border, which covers an area where about 2/3 of the US population lives. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a sister agency of CBP and is tasked with enforcing immigration law within the US. One of its directives is Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) which is the part that is most visible to the public related to deportation of undocumented immigrants.The debate surrounding sanctuary “cities” (often used as shorthand for sanctuary towns, cities, counties and even states) is on how far local jurisdictions (municipalities, counties, states) should or should not collaborate with ICE and CBP to enforce immigration laws. Some jurisdictions will proactively inform ICE whenever they are aware of someone’s undocumented status. Others will explicitly refuse to collaborate with ICE in various circumstances, leading to their titles as sanctuary cities. Their rationale is that they are not responsible for enforcing US immigration law and will make their own jurisdictions less safe if undocumented immigrants fear interacting with local government officials to report crimes, send their kids to school, pay taxes, etc. Opponents of sanctuary cities believe that they undermine the rule of law. Supporters of sanctuary cities believe that sanctuary cities are not responsible for enforcing federal immigration law. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Confederate Monuments (33 of 36)
Confederate Monuments: As Reconstruction came to a close in the South after the Civil War, the southern states which had seceded from the Union to form the Confederacy began to erect monuments to honor their fallen soldiers. Many of these monuments were funded by groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), in remembrance of their fallen brothers, fathers, sons, and husbands. The statues were also often funded and constructed unilaterally by private groups, like the UDC. The construction of these monuments peaked just before the 50th anniversary of the war, and then again during the 100th anniversary. These construction dates correspond with the height of Jim Crow laws in the South and the founding of the second Ku Klux Klan, as well as the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Some believe that these monuments exalt a treasonous government whose founding principle was protecting the enslavement of African Americans. They also believe that these monuments were built to intimidate black Southerners, and to reaffirm white-supremacy in an age when they were rightfully free and equal citizens. Others point to the cultural and historical significance of these monuments as critical in the story of the South. They feel that destroying the past is a dangerous precedent and that the bad should be remembered with the good so that future generations may learn to distinguish between the two. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Residential Speed Limits (34 of 36)
Residential Speed Limits: Speed limits predate the modern car, with Rhode Island being one of the first to control the speed of galloping horses on major thoroughfares to protect pedestrians. The Department of Transportation has stated that the current goal in determining the right speed limit for each situation is to “increase safety within the context of retaining reasonable mobility”. However, road speed limits are set in each jurisdiction by the local authorities.  The “20’s Plenty” movement aims to reduce the speed limit in residential areas to 20mph to create a more livable environment. Statistics show a fatality risk of 1.5% if an accident occurs at 20mph vs. 8% if the driver is going 30mph. A study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) quotes that, of the overall 40,000 traffic fatalities per year in the US, 13,000 fatalities are related to speeding. Besides traffic signs with the maximum allowed speeds, municipalities try to control vehicle speeds through the implementation of speed bumps, lines on the road, comprehensive driver education, and community engagement. Some believe a blanket speed limit of 20mph in residential areas will keep our children and families safer, as well as benefits for the environment. Others believe that it will inconvenience too many commuters at too great a cost to travel times. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Traffic Cameras (35 of 36)
Traffic Cameras: Traffic cameras can be used as a tool by police and cities to help enforce the rules of the road.  When their sensors detect a violation, they take a picture of the vehicle, which allows the authorities to issue a ticket.  These tickets are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.  Some believe that traffic cameras help reduce the number, and severity of accidents, and are, therefore, a benefit. Others believe that not only are they a municipal scheme to generate revenue, but also a violation of our privacy, as they represent unlawful governmental surveillance. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
Federal Jobs Guarantee (36 of 36!)
Federal Jobs Guarantee: The general premise of a federal jobs guarantee program is that the government would provide a job to any American who wants or needs one, as a means to lift people out of poverty and reintegrate them into society. These jobs would come with a decent wage and benefits, funded federally but operated by the states. This approach was used during the Great Depression under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who created two programs: the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), both of which hired American workers to build infrastructure throughout the country. These programs aimed to create full employment in the country as part of Roosevelt’s Economic Bill of Rights, which included the Right to Work. In many of the current proposals, the goal is not to change the worker, but rather to find a job that the worker is already capable of doing. Both India and Argentina have similar programs that have proven successful at lowering unemployment, while moving people to the private sector and reducing poverty. Some believe that providing a job to those that are looking will lift them out of poverty and give a sense of purpose that makes them a stronger citizen of the US. Others believe that government intervention in our economy is dangerous and could result in significant inflation. Which of these statements best reflects your opinion? *
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