laconic1

I'm a registered Republican, though most Republicans today would consider me a RINO. I live in a Congressional district that has solidly been in Republican hands since its creation after the 1980 census. Periodically I have received surveys from the RNC. I generally don't fill out and return the survey since the questions are worded in a manner to elicit specific responses, making it virtually worthless. Preaching to the choir and all. I received the most recent survey the other day and as I read it I got a bit frustrated at the nature of the questions. You are given the option of "yes" "no" or "no opinion" for all the questions, of course there is no space to put in any written opinions, and as expected a plea for money at the end of the survey. I thought I would share the questions with you and see how you guys would respond, also how I would respond if I could expand on my answers. Also do any of you get these surveys, either from the Republicans or whatever other party you are affiliated with? Although I just got mine the other day a quick Google search shows the survey has been out a couple of months now.

1. No opinion. I don't know how a tax increase would affect the economy, but previous tax cuts have not exactly stimulated the economy and I am not a believer in trickle down economics, which is where I think the Republicans want to go.

2. Yes, although in the case of the banks and insurance companies proper regulation would probably have been beneficial at preventing the crisis. The automakers should have been forced to declare a legitimate bankruptcy that would have resulted in a genuine restructure than the farce we were exposed to.

3. No. I believe there will always be room in this country for legal immigrants that come through the proper channels but there should not be any amnesty.

4. Yes.

5. No. Social Security is not on stable financial footing as it is and neither party is willing to address it. We do not need to add to the burden by making several million more people eligible who have not contributed to the program prior to obtaining citizenship.

6. I have not heard from reliable news sources that the Democrats actually are pursuing this, but no I would not be in favor of this was true.

7. No. I do not believe any appointee should be immediately and unquestionably approved regardless of who makes the appointment. I did not think GWB's nominees should have been immediately or unquestionably approved either when the Republicans were clamoring for an "up or down" vote a few years ago.

8. No opinion. I don't know if it is the best way, but I don't think it is right either that a kid can be punished for their parents not being financially successful by having the kid go to a poor school. I don't know what the best way to equal this out is, or if the problem can even be solved since there are so many other factors that go into what a child receives for an education.

9. I do think some sort of government plan is necessary as a safety net for people who don't have other options.

10. Replace the words "federal government" with "HMO" in the question and then look what has happened with health care the last 25 years for the answer.

11. See #10

12. No. I think this type of program would be a needless expansion of government.

13. I have not heard of any sort of effort other than some off the cuff comments a couple of years ago to reinstitute the draft. But if this was true, no I would not be in favor, regardless of who is president.

14. While I am personally not a fan of unions I do think if the majority of employees choose to join a union they should have that right.

15. No, I do believe that a right to a private ballot is essential regardless of the type of vote being cast.

dogzilla

I'm registered Republican, but haven't received any such survey.

1. Do you agree with Barack Obama and the Democrats that taxes should be raised for the sake of "fairness" regardless of the negative impact it is likely to have on the economy?

Absolutely not. The money I earn is mine, not the government's. Fair is not taking my money and giving it to somebody else.

2. Do you believe the federal government has gone too far in bailing out failing banks, insurance companies and the auto industry?

Yes. I think the government meddling in the economy will have long term negative effects. In think the huge increase in deficit spending will have long lasting negative effects.

3. Do you support amnesty for illegal immigrants?

Absolutely not. If you are here illegally, go home. I have no problem with legal immigrants. I have one in-law who is a legal Russian immigrant and another who is a legal Mexican immigrant. Illegal immigration is not fair to them.

4. Should English be the official language of the United States?

Disagree

5. Are you in favor of granting retroactive Social Security eligibility to illegal immigrants who gain U.S. citizenship through an amnesty program?

Absolutely not. See 3.

6. Are you in favor of the expanded welfare benefits and unlimited eligibility (no time, education, or work requirements) that Democrats in Congress are pushing to pass?

Absolutely not. If you are disabled and cannot work, then and only then do you deserve assistance. Otherwise, no, it's not my responsibility to support you.

7. Do you believe that Barack Obama's nominees for federal courts should be immediately and unquestionably approved for their lifetime appointments by the U.S. Senate?

No, I think they should have the same review and careful background checks as any other nominee

8. Do you believe that the best way to increase the quality and effectiveness of public education in the U.S. is to rapidly expand federal funding while eliminating performance standards and accountability?

No. I don't believe there is any correlation between federal funding and quality of education. Eliminating standards would be a problem.

9. Do you support the creation of a national health insurance plan that would be administered by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.?

Absolutely not. I see the current plan as another huge government boondoggle.

10. Do you believe that the quality and availability of health care will increase if the federal government dictates pricing to doctors and hospitals?

No. Government dictating will accomplish nothing except more laws.

11. Are you confident that new medicines and medical treatments will continue to be developed if the federal government controls prescription drug prices and sets profit margins for research and pharmaceutical companies?

Not really. Companies invest in research in hope of future profits.

12. Are you in favor of creating a government-funded "Citizen Volunteer Corps" that would pay young people to do work now done by churches and charities, earning Corps Members the same pay and benefits given to military veterans?

No. I don't believe the government should be in the job creation process

13. Are you in favor of reinstituting the military draft, as Democrats in Congress have proposed?

No real problem with the draft.

14. Do you believe the federal government should allow the unionization of Department of Homeland Security employees who serve in positions critical to the safety and security of our nation?

Not as long as it doesn't affect their job duties. Otherwise they get the same treatment as PATCO

15. Do you support Democrat's drive to eliminate workers' right to a private ballot when considering unionization of their place of employment?

No. Employees should have the right to vote yes/no on a union by secret ballot only. No card check schemes or other schemes.

scout

Sorta reminds me of the "surveys" I receive time to time from the NRA. No real earth shattering or ground breaking questions. Just questions that are safe and they already know the answer before they poll you. Lemme guess, I bet it was accompanied by a plea for a donation?

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"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson

Derwood

These questions are wonderful....so slanted, so misleading, and worded in ways that you could answer yes or no and still be wrong

dippin

the question about card check is so incredibly misleading as to be funny.

Wes Mantooth

Do you agree with Barack Obama and the Democrats that taxes should be raised for the sake of "fairness" regardless of the negative impact it is likely to have on the economy?
For simply the sake of fairness regardless of the outcome? No. However if it can be shown to be helpful to the economy and the hike isn't too high they yes.

Do you believe the federal government has gone too far in bailing out failing banks, insurance companies and the auto industry
Not sure in this case. I believe the market place should be allowed succeed or fail on its own accord, if a business fails it allows another to move in and take its place. I do believe that in rare instances (extreme emergencies) that bail outs should be an option but only in the rarest of circumstances as a safety net. Regardless I'm not sure if enough time has passed to tell us weather or not the bail out was a good idea.

Do you support amnesty for illegal immigrants
The realist in me says that with such sheer numbers of illegal immigrants running around and the ease with which they can enter the country it might be the only way to handle the problem. At least they would be in the system paying taxes and such. However such a large influx of new citizens has potential to wreck havoc on the current system and besides I'm not sure its right to reward illegal actions. I don't know their isn't an easy answer here.

Should English be the official language of the United States
No. Why do we Americans have such a difficult time speaking a second language anyway?

Are you in favor of granting retroactive Social Security eligibility to illegal immigrants who gain U.S. citizenship through an amnesty program
No. Not unless that same right is granted to people who come here legally as well (is it?). Again I don't believe in rewarding bad behavior.

Are you in favor of the expanded welfare benefits and unlimited eligibility (no time, education, or work requirements) that Democrats in Congress are pushing to pass?
No and is anyone really suggesting this? If true then no it would be ridiculous.

Do you believe that Barack Obama's nominees for federal courts should be immediately and unquestionably approved for their lifetime appointments by the U.S. Senate?
No, again is anybody suggesting this?

Do you believe that the best way to increase the quality and effectiveness of public education in the U.S. is to rapidly expand federal funding while eliminating performance standards and accountability?
Yes I do. I'm so sick and tired of our education system getting the short end of the stick as though its an after thought with no importance. Anyway I feel its unfair to penalize a child born in a district with a badly run school system because of a set of arbitrary standards. That child deserves the same funding as any other.

Do you support the creation of a national health insurance plan that would be administered by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.?
Way to make it sound appealing GOP. No I'm not convinced its the best system for us considering the way the govt is currently run. In theory I love it, in reality I'm not sure it would work.

Do you believe that the quality and availability of health care will increase if the federal government dictates pricing to doctors and hospitals?
Yes GOP everything is either good or bad isn't? My answer really depends on the why and how much. The cost of health care in this country is ridiculous, dictating certain fair price ceilings (IE not allowing doctors and hospitals to gouge patients) might be effective and relieve some of the burden. However its an area we must tread very lightly so as not to effect the quality of care...prices need to be fair and somebody needs to insure they are.

Are you confident that new medicines and medical treatments will continue to be developed if the federal government controls prescription drug prices and sets profit margins for research and pharmaceutical companies?
Meh these questions are getting a little silly now. Again it depends on the how and why, allowing room for profit while not allowing prices to spiral out of control could benefit both sides but it has to be done properly.

Are you in favor of creating a government-funded "Citizen Volunteer Corps" that would pay young people to do work now done by churches and charities, earning Corps Members the same pay and benefits given to military veterans?
Absolutely, what a great way to invest in the future of your country. Allowing young people fresh out of high school who are undecided on college to go off and learn, be productive and provide a valuable service is a great idea...in theory.

Are you in favor of reinstituting the military draft, as Democrats in Congress have proposed?
No. I can see certain instances where a draft could be necessary but I'm not convinced an influx of recruits with no real desire to serve in the military is the best way to go.

Do you believe the federal government should allow the unionization of Department of Homeland Security employees who serve in positions critical to the safety and security of our nation?
I guess...although I would hope their is a backup plan should a strike occur.

Do you support Democrat's drive to eliminate workers' right to a private ballot when considering unionization of their place of employment?
Yup keep right on misleading the flock GOP...


Dumb survey. These are complex issues and to break them down to slanted, badly worded yes or no questions is absurd. I guess it gives us a nice glimpse of the thought process behind the GOP though. Its things like this that make me happy I registered as an independent.

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flstf

I added a few alternative ways the questions could be asked.

1. Do you agree with Barack Obama and the Democrats that taxes should be raised for the sake of "fairness" regardless of the negative impact it is likely to have on the economy?

2. Do you believe the federal government has gone too far in bailing out failing banks, insurance companies and the auto industry?

3. Do you support amnesty for illegal immigrants?

4. Should English be the official language of the United States?

5. Are you in favor of granting retroactive Social Security eligibility to illegal immigrants who gain U.S. citizenship through an amnesty program?

6. No Comment

7. No Comment

8. No Comment

9. Do you support the creation of a national health insurance plan that would be administered by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.?

10. Do you believe that the quality and availability of health care will increase if the federal government dictates pricing to doctors and hospitals?

11. Are you confident that new medicines and medical treatments will continue to be developed if the federal government controls prescription drug prices and sets profit margins for research and pharmaceutical companies?

12. No Comment

13. No Comment

14. No Comment

15. Do you support Democrat's drive to eliminate workers' right to a private ballot when considering unionization of their place of employment?

Wes Mantooth

I don't know fistf dangerous wording like that might cause staunch party supporters to begin thinking about both sides of the issue and vote the best person for the job and not always...GASP!...the Republican party.

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FoolThemAll

All I'm seeing is two sets of choir preaching.

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I wonder if we're stuck in Rome.

Wes Mantooth

Yeah and thats what makes me angry about both...or I guess all parties in general. It seems more often then not the point is about winning and not whats back best for our country. My wish for politics in America is that both sides get on the same page, present an honest case for their stance and encourage Americans to decide what works best regardless of party affiliation. Serve the people for a change and not the interest of the party.

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