2012 Republican Delegate & Alternate Delegate Survey

Member Group : Lincoln Institute

Total Started Survey: 56
Total Finished Survey: 55 (98.2%)

Section I: FEDERAL LEVEL ISSUE QUESTIONS

1. With ONE being the LEAST important and FIVE being the MOST important; we would like to know how you rate the importance of the following issues:

[td c7]Other Responses
* stablishing a Full, Regular, and Independent Audit of the Federal Reserve
* education funding
* Protecting American sovereignty
* Currency Reform/ Ending the Federal Reserve Monopoly
* stopping the racial & class divisions
* regulatory relief
* Reforms for current congress members (ie., healthcare for LIFE!)
* Removing Obama Care – 5[td c7]answered question[td c7]skipped question
1 2 3 4 5 Rating
Average
Response
Count
Economy 1.9% (1) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 5.8% (3) 92.3% (48) 4.87 52
Development of Energy Resources 3.9% (2) 5.9% (3) 11.8% (6) 37.3% (19) 41.2% (21) 4.06 51
Unemployment Rate 0.0% (0) 1.9% (1) 5.8% (3) 23.1% (12) 69.2% (36) 4.60 52
War in Afghanistan 3.8% (2) 18.9% (10) 39.6% (21) 13.2% (7) 24.5% (13) 3.36 53
Federal Budget Deficit 1.9% (1) 1.9% (1) 5.6% (3) 7.4% (4) 83.3% (45) 4.69 54
Obamacare 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 11.3% (6) 15.1% (8) 73.6% (39) 4.62 53
Medicare/Medicaid Reform 0.0% (0) 1.9% (1) 15.1% (8) 26.4% (14) 56.6% (30) 4.38 53
Gay Marriage 40.7% (22) 18.5% (10) 18.5% (10) 9.3% (5) 13.0% (7) 2.35 54
Global Warming 69.8% (37) 15.1% (8) 11.3% (6) 0.0% (0) 3.8% (2) 1.53 53
Abortion 17.0% (9) 18.9% (10) 22.6% (12) 18.9% (10) 22.6% (12) 3.11 53
Tax Cuts 1.9% (1) 3.8% (2) 19.2% (10) 25.0% (13) 50.0% (26) 4.17 52
Social Security Reform 0.0% (0) 3.8% (2) 15.1% (8) 37.7% (20) 43.4% (23) 4.21 53
Mortgage/Banking Crisis 1.9% (1) 5.8% (3) 42.3% (22) 23.1% (12) 26.9% (14) 3.67 52
Gasoline Prices 3.9% (2) 15.7% (8) 27.5% (14) 15.7% (8) 37.3% (19) 3.67 51
Federal Government Spending 1.9% (1) 1.9% (1) 5.8% (3) 3.8% (2) 86.5% (45) 4.71 52
Illegal Immigration 5.6% (3) 20.4% (11) 22.2% (12) 20.4% (11) 31.5% (17) 3.52 54
8
54
2

2. Do you think the Obama Administration’s foreign policies have made the United States more secure or less secure?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
MUCH MORE SECURE 0.0% 0
SOMEWHAT MORE SECURE 1.9% 1
ABOUT THE SAME 9.3% 5
SOMEWHAT LESS SECURE 24.1% 13
MUCH LESS SECURE 64.8%

35
answered question 54
skipped question 2

3. Do you think President Obama’s handling of the War in Afghanistan is on the RIGHT TRACK or off on the WRONG TRACK?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
RIGHT TRACK 8.0% 4
WRONG TRACK 92.0% 46
answered question 50
skipped question 6

4. Do you think the United States should intervent militarily in Syria?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
YES 27.7% 13
NO 72.3%

34
answered question 47
skipped question 9

5. Do you think the United States should intervene militarily to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
YES 60.8%

31
NO 39.2% 20
answered question 51
skipped question 5

6. Generally speaking, do you feel that the U.S. Economy is on the right track, or is it off in the wrong direction?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
RIGHT TRACK 0.0% 0
WRONG DIRECTION 100.0%

53
answered question 53
skipped question 3

7. Who is to blame for the nation’s current economic ills? (Check all that apply)

Response
Percent
Response
Count
PRESIDENT OBAMA 92.6%

50
PRESIDENT BUSH 25.9% 14
FEDERAL RESERVE 59.3% 32
CONGRESS 61.1% 33
CORPORATE AMERICA 22.2% 12
INVESTORS 3.7% 2
CONSUMERS 13.0% 7
Other Responses
* Anyone who contributes to the same borrowing from a private bank to pay for public things — we will never be out of our deficit until we remove the central bank from its place of power
* ITs the Spending Stupid!
* Americans whose priority is self-interest
* Economic transformation to an information based global economy

7.4% 4
answered question 54
skipped question 2

8. When it comes to the Bush-era tax rates (cuts) do you favor:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
Make Bush Tax Rates Permanent for all Americans 70.4%

38
Make Bush Tax Rates Permanent for Families Earning Under $250,000 Per Year 9.3% 5
Temporarily Extend the Bush Tax Rates for All Americans 13.0% 7
Temporarily Extend the Bush Tax Rates for Families Earning Under $250,000 Per Year 3.7% 2
Reinstate the Pre-Bush Higher Rates for All Americans 3.7% 2
answered question 54
skipped question 2

9. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE extending the Obama cuts in the payroll (Social Security) tax rate?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY FAVOR 26.1% 12
SOMEWHAT FAVOR 21.7% 10
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 23.9% 11
STRONGLY OPPOSE 28.3%

13
answered question 46
skipped question 10

10. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE cutting tax rates on Capital Gains?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY SUPPORT 67.9%

36
SOMEWHAT SUPPORT 15.1% 8
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 9.4% 5
STRONGLY OPPOSE 7.5% 4
answered question 53
skipped question 3

11. When it comes to the estate or "death tax" do you favor:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
ELIMINATING THE ESTATE TAX ENTIRELY 88.9%

48
CUTTING THE ESTATE TAX RATE 7.4% 4
MAINTAINING CURRENT ESTATE RATES 1.9% 1
RAISING THE RATE ON THE ESTATE TAX 1.9% 1
answered question 54
skipped question 2

12. Do you SUPPORT or OPPOSE lowering personal income tax rates as a means of stimulating economic growth?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY SUPPORT 64.8%

35
SOMEWHAT SUPPORT 27.8% 15
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 3.7% 2
STRONGLY OPPOSE 3.7% 2
answered question 54
skipped question 2

13. Which approach would you take toward balancing the federal budget?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
RAISE TAXES ONLY 0.0% 0
COMBINATION OF TAX HIKES/SPENDING CUTS 25.9% 14
SPENDING CUTS ONLY 74.1%

40
answered question 54
skipped question 2

14. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose free trade policies (such as NAFTA or CAFTA)?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY FAVOR 20.8% 11
SOMEWHAT FAVOR 37.7%

20
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 18.9% 10
STRONGLY OPPOSE 22.6% 12
answered question 53
skipped question 3

15. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE raising the U.S. Government debt ceiling?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY FAVOR 1.9% 1
SOMEWHAT FAVOR 1.9% 1
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 35.2% 19
STRONGLY OPPOSE 61.1%

33
answered question 54
skipped question 2

16. What do you see as the solution to America’s oil energy needs? (Check all that apply.)

Response
Percent
Response
Count
More Domestic Drilling 87.0%

47
Development of Alternate Fuels 50.0% 27
Importing More Foreign Oil 1.9% 1
Conservation 37.0% 20
Other Responses
* Free market solutions — get government OUT OF THE WAY
* Get government out of Energy Policy let market run free and unencumbered
* offer more programs to convert from oil to gas
* Get the government out of the way, FREE MARKETS!
* Increase Refining Capacity, replace old refineries
* Build the Oil Pipeline
* Energy deregulation
* Deregulate
14.8% 8
answered question 54
skipped question 2

17. Do you SUPPORT or OPPOSE term limits on Members of Congress?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY SUPPORT 33.3% 18
SOMEWHAT SUPPORT 37.0%

20
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 18.5% 10
STRONGLY OPPOSE 11.1% 6
answered question 54
skipped question 2

18. Do you believe the Federal government is primarily an adversarial force when it comes to helping solve problems, or is the Federal government a positive force in helping people.

Response
Percent
Response
Count
POSITIVE FORCE 11.5% 6
ADVERSARIAL FORCE 90.4%

47
answered question 52
skipped question 4

19. Do you believe "global warming" is an accurate environmental assessment, or a greatly overblown issue?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
ACCURATE ASSESSMENT 3.8% 2
GREATLY OVERBLOWN 96.2%

50
answered question 52
skipped question 4

20. Do you believe in "natural rights," that our basic rights as Americans are God-given; or are our rights granted to us by government?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
RIGHTS ARE GOD-GIVEN 98.1%

52
RIGHTS ARE GRANTED BY GOVERNMENT 1.9% 1
answered question 53
skipped question 3

21. Do you think Social Security will be around for the next generations of Americans or will it go bankrupt?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
YES, WITHOUT CHANGE IT WILL BE AROUND 1.9% 1
YES, WITH SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IT WILL BE AROUND 67.9%

36
NO, IT’S HEADED TOWARD BANKRUPTCY 34.0% 18
answered question 53
skipped question 3

22. Do you think younger Americans should be allowed to invest a portion of their Social Security funds in personal savings accounts outside of the current Social Security system?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
YES 100.0%

54
NO 0.0% 0
answered question 54
skipped question 2

23. Do you think federal earmarks, specific spending directed by Members of Congress, are an appropriate way for Congress to spend tax money or wasteful spending?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
APPROPRIATE WAY 22.6% 12
WASTEFUL SPENDING 81.1%

43
answered question 53
skipped question 3

Page: Section II: STATE LEVEL ISSUE QUESTIONS

1. Do you feel the property tax-based system currently utilized by school districts, local and county governments to fund services is fair and equitable to most segments of your community?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
FAIR 29.4% 15
UNFAIR 70.6%

36
answered question 51
skipped question 5

2. Would you favor or oppose replacing property/real estate taxes with:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
HIGHER STATE SALES TAX RATE 13.2% 5
MORE BROAD BASED STATE SALES TAX AT THE CURRENT RATE 50.0%

19
LOCAL SALES TAX 18.4% 7
LOCAL EARNED INCOME TAXES 2.6% 1
COMBINATION LOCAL SALES/EARNED INCOME TAX 26.3% 10
answered question 38
skipped question 18

3. Generally speaking, do you feel PERSONAL STATE INCOME TAXES are too high, about right, too low?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
TOO HIGH 57.7%

30
ABOUT RIGHT 38.5% 20
TOO LOW 5.8% 3
answered question 52
skipped question 4

4. Generally speaking, do you feel STATE BUSINESS TAXES are too high, about right, too low?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
TOO HIGH 92.0%

46
ABOUT RIGHT 8.0% 4
TOO LOW 0.0% 0
answered question 50
skipped question 6

5. When it comes to economic development, do you think the state should borrow money to help finance select business ventures, or should the state cut business taxes and regulations?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
BORROW AND FINANCE 3.9% 2
CUT TAXES/REGULATIONS 96.1%

49
answered question 51
skipped question 5

6. Do you feel vouchers or grants should be made available to students who wish to attend a PUBLIC school in a district other than their own?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
YES 86.0%

43
NO 16.0% 8
answered question 50
skipped question 6

7. Generally speaking do you feel Corbett Administration cuts to K-12 public education are:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
TOO DEEP 16.7% 8
ABOUT RIGHT 64.6%

31
NOT DEEP ENOUGH 18.8% 9
answered question 48
skipped question 8

8. When it comes to the state’s GENERAL FUND budget, would you say spending is:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
TOO HIGH 62.7%

32
ABOUT RIGHT 35.3% 18
TOO LOW 2.0% 1
answered question 51
skipped question 5

9. Would you favor an increase in the State’s Gas Tax as a way to help pay for more infrastructure costs?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
YES 25.0% 13
NO 75.0%

39
answered question 52
skipped question 4

10. Would you FAVOR or OPPOSE an increase in vehicle registration and/or driver license fees to help fund road and bridge improvements?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY FAVOR 7.7% 4
SOMEWHAT FAVOR 32.7%

17
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 26.9% 14
STRONGLY OPPOSE 32.7%

17
answered question 52
skipped question 4

11. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently is in debt in the amount of $110 billion dollars, or about $9,000 for every citizen of the state. Do you think this too much, about the right amount, or not enough debt?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
TOO MUCH 96.1%

49
ABOUT THE RIGHT AMOUNT 3.9% 2
NOT ENOUGH 0.0% 0
answered question 51
skipped question 5

12. Some states within the nation have a RIGHT TO WORK law, which means that a worker cannot be fired or kept from having a job for either joining or not joining a union. Do you favor or oppose such a law in Pennsylvania?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY FAVOR 80.4%

41
SOMEWHAT FAVOR 15.7% 8
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 2.0% 1
STRONGLY OPPOSE 2.0% 1
answered question 51
skipped question 5

13. Do you support or oppose a ban on public school teachers strikes?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY SUPPORT 60.8%

31
SOMEWHAT SUPPORT 19.6% 10
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 11.8% 6
STRONGLY SUPPORT 7.8% 4
answered question 51
skipped question 5

14. Do you FAVOR or OPPOSE privatizing the state’s liquor store system?

Response
Percent
Response
Count
STRONGLY FAVOR 84.3%

43
SOMEWHAT FAVOR 15.7% 8
SOMEWHAT OPPOSE 0.0% 0
STRONGLY OPPOSE 0.0% 0
answered question 51
skipped question 5

15. PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ABOUT YOURSELF – ARE YOU:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
VERY CONSERVATIVE 57.7%

30
SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE 44.2% 23
MODERATE 1.9% 1
SOMEWHAT LIBERAL 0.0% 0
VERY LIBERAL 0.0% 0
answered question 52
skipped question 4

16. GENDER:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
MALE 67.3%

35
FEMALE 32.7% 17
answered question 52
skipped question 4

17. AGE:

Response
Percent
Response
Count
18-30 5.9% 3
30-50 41.2%

21
50-65 27.5% 14
OVER 65 25.5% 13
answered question 51
skipped question 5

18. Please feel free to share with us any comments you might have on federal and/or state policy issues:

Response
Count
Other Responses
* As a Republican I am totally disgusted by Governor Corbett’s performance
* state should spend more on education,then prisons.
* government is too big
* Fundamental federal tax reform is critical to grow the economy.
* The state should do more to crack down on illegal immigrants. Photo I.D. is a very good and necessary law.
* The Federal and state governments should cut all their spending levels by 50%. The Federal government needs to get out of Iraq, Afganistan, and Korea, Germany and the 700 other locations they have around the world. Stop the 6 trillion dollars we have wasted on foreign wars. End NAFTA, CAFTA, and all other "Free Trade Agreements" and allow commerce between countries to be unencumbered by government. This includes ending embargoes on Iran, Syria, and Cuba which just hurt the civilians. Cut corporate welfare such as farm subsidies, the Auto Bailout, Bank Bailout, Fannie and Freddie, and a whole host of other programs that help favored businesses at the expense of the small businessman. Also, shut down Homeland Security as it does nothing to protect our citizens and wastes billions a year suppressing our rights.
* We need reform of the government structures at all levels in PA. The system is antiquated and byzantine. Even conservatives here do not see that with all the thousands of small units of government it all adds up to a monstrous and expensive BIG BLOB of government. We need consolidation of county and municipal services and elimination of administrative layers. Conservatives should be making the case for modernization and efficiencies rather than protecting political offices. Too many jurisdictions and overlapping layers! Create county-wide school systems, eliminate wasteful and unnecessary row offices, downsize the legislature and make it part-time!!!
* Many questions in this survey are too "black" or "white". Need option that is "grey".
* Citizens need a break from high taxes, esp. school taxes–less regulations & taxes for small businesses–less governmental intrusion into everything. Make ALL citizens pay some taxes into the system & streamline the freebie money programs that fund generations of families!
* Our government is headed in the wrong direction and partisan politics are not helping. The first fix would be to pass a complete audit of the Federal Reserve – and in doing so lay bare the wrong doing of the central banking system which would lead to the central bank being dismantled. In place of that, competing currencies – think Greenbacks, gold, silver, etc, will spring up and commerce will continue – albeit without overhead debt and inflation/deflation and without the artificial bubbles which are currently created by the central bank. After we fix the financial crisis, we must the tackle the tough job of getting back on track by following the rest of the Constitution – we need Congress to halt any new law making and they must go back through the millions of laws they have enacted and the layers upon layers of bureaucracy which they have created and strip back and cleanse the government of all unConstitutional parts. Without those 2 parts, America as we know it, as we like to think about it will be over. It will be a new America where the people are slaves to their government and the central banking which drives it. It will be a new America that continues its nation building and war mongering overseas until the whole world is once again brought into a war that only benefits the bankers who continue to fund the entire machine. All hope is not yet lost, however we are at a critical turning point, one that must be taken seriously if we are ever to have back the land of the free.
* Government is too damned big, too many rules and regulations dear tax man and regulator — let my people go
* Regarding Education, no unionization should be allowed in taxpayer funded employment. Any budget increases should apprvoed via referendum.
* Some questions are overly simplistic but that be unavoidable.
* Question # 2 asks ‘favor or oppose’ but answers do not give us a choice.
* The federal tax code needs a complete overhaul. The public employee unions should be disbanded. Seniors should have their RE taxes capped at the level thay are when they reach normal retirement age (primary residence only). Defined Benifit plans for public employees should be frozen and replaced with defined contribution plans.
15
answered question 15
skipped question 41