John Bel Edwards in 2006 National Political Awareness Test
On Civil Rights:
Support affirmative action in government hiring and college
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding affirmative action.- The federal government should consider race and gender in government contracting decisions.
- The federal government should
continue affirmative action programs.
- Support affirmative action in public college admissions.
- Edwards adds, "Federal government should also seek contractors of great quality and should always meet the federal standards and requirements."
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Crime:
Rehab for criminals; enforce hate crime & white collar crime
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding crime.- Support programs to provide prison inmates with educational, vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
- Support programs to provide
prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
- Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
- Impose stricter penalties for those convicted of corporate crimes.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Energy & Oil:
More ethanol; more CAFE standards; more alternative fuels
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding energy.- Strengthen emission controls and fuel efficiency standards on all gasoline and
diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
- Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
- Support the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Environment:
Strengthen environmental enforcement for clean air
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding the environment.- Strengthen the regulation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
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Relax standards on federal lands to allow increased recreational usage.
- Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Foreign Policy:
Offer foreign aid for humanitarian crises, including AIDS
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding US economic assistance.- Aid should be granted to countries when extraordinary circumstances cause disaster and threaten civilian lives.
- Aid should be granted to countries when it
is in the security interests of the US.
- Edwards adds, "We should participate in events of great humanitarian [crises]. For example, countries from around the country aided the U.S. during the post-KATRINA efforts, some allies, some not allies. "
Q: Should the US maintain its financial support of the United Nations?A: Yes.
Q: Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund distribution of contraceptives?
A: Yes.
Q: Should aid to African nations for AIDS prevention programs fund abstinence education?
A: Yes.
Edwards adds, "AIDS should be a huge focus in the 21st century as a preventative and curative position."
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Free Trade:
Support NAFTA, CAFTA, and WTO, but account for rights
Q: Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
A: Yes.
Q: Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation) status with the United States?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?
A: Yes.
Q: Should trade agreements include provisions to address environmental concerns and to protect workers' rights?
A: Yes.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Government Reform:
Public funding for campaigns, but deregulate soft money
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding campaign finance and government reform.- Support public taxpayer funding for federal candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
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Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
- Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
- Should Election Day be a national holiday?
A: Yes.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Gun Control:
Maintain restrictions & records of individuals and guns
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding guns.- Reauthorize the ban on the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
- Ease federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
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Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
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Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
- Require a license for gun possession.
-
Edwards adds, "We must preserve the 2nd Amendment rights, but also maintain records of individuals and guns for a small period of time."
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Immigration:
Establish English as the official national language
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding immigration and foreign workers.-
Establish English as the official national language.
- A nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations status with the United States
- Trade agreements should include provisions to protect workers' rights
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Social Security:
Opposes raising retirement age; opposes private accounts
Secure Social Security is important.
Developing more taxpayers is the key to solving Social Security, not raising the age or private accounts.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Tax Reform:
Keep the estate tax; don't keep Bush tax cuts
Q: Do you support the permanent repeal of the federal estate tax?A: No.
Q: Do you support making President Bush's tax cuts permanent?
A: No.
Edwards indicates the following actions on levels of taxation:- Greatly Decrease taxes
on income less than $25,000
- Slightly Decrease taxes on income between $25,000 and $75,000
- Maintain Status of taxes on income between $75,000-$150,000
- Slightly Increase taxes on income Over $150,000
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Technology:
Legislate how personal information is used on the Internet
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding technology and communication.- Continue the moratorium on Internet taxation.
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Support strict penalties for Internet crimes (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
- Support legislation to detail how personal information can be collected and used on the Internet.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On War & Peace:
Engage Israel, Afghanistan, & North Korea, but out of Iraq
Q: Should the United States continue to provide leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process?A: Yes.
Q: Should the United States withdraw its troops from Iraq?
A: Yes.
Q: Should the United States use diplomatic and economic pressure to encourage North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program?
A: Yes.
Q: Should the United States increase military support to Afghanistan?
A: Yes.
Q:
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Welfare & Poverty:
Supports poverty aid through religious & community groups
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding welfare and poverty.-
Require welfare recipients to spend at least 40 hours a week in a combination of work and training programs.
- Increase funding for child care programs.
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Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
- Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations.
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Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.
- Edwards adds that he would "Revamp the welfare system, to start getting more people off of the programs and into the job market."
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
On Health Care:
Universal health care with guaranteed coverage
Edwards indicated support for the following principles regarding health care.- Implement a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income.
- Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
- Support automatic enrollment of children in federal health care programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.
Source: 2006 State Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Page last updated: Nov 23, 2019