I support the Simpson-Bowles "Report of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility & Reform"
Agriculture
Government should support a base level of commodity production of essential food and fiber. I
support the Federal Government working with states to stop wasteful incentive programs as well
as limiting the consolidation of production through marketing by a few agri- corporations. High
income and large non-tenant corporate farm/ranch owners should be limited in the amounts they
receive in government subsidies and direct cash payments.
Environment
The environment is more than jobs for extractive industries, it is a valuable economic base for
Montana that future generations can use for their livelihood. The environmental community in
Montana is an active watchdog for corporate environmental abuse and I will work to
ensure they remain vigilant and strong.
Labor
I oppose 'open shop laws' and support the right of workers to organize, bargain
collectively and strike without fear of being fired. Public service employees should have the
same rights as private sector workers. I support Employee Free Choice Act, prevailing wage
laws when taxpayer dollars are used and equal pay for equal work. I strongly oppose
worker misclassification!
Health
I support the Affordable Health Care Act and will work to ensure any changes only enhance the
provisions of the bill. I support efforts to focus on preventive care and promotion of healthy life
styles and moving away from reimbursements to health providers based on 'fee for service' to
'outcome based'. I strongly support a woman's right to make her own health care decisions and
will oppose laws that interfere with her privacy. Health insurance programs should encourage
people to take care of their health and work toward rewarding those that practice healthy life
choices. I support major tort reform to stop 'quantity' medicine and deliver 'quality' medicine.
Education
I would support reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act, but would weaken or
delete many disabling sanctions and one size fits all student testing. I also support adoption of
the 'Blueprint for Education Reform' but would add provisions to help the most disadvantaged
children i.e. children in foster care, juvenile detention or in areas of concentrated poverty. I
would limit the use of tax dollars (directly or indirectly) for private sectarian or non-sectarian
education programs and oppose their use in 'for-profit' institutions.
American Indian
I support MCA 2-15-108 that encourages gender and racial balance of appointments of American
Indians on boards, commissions, and committees. I will oppose federal efforts to diminish tribal
sovereignty. I support funding and efforts to address teenage suicides, diabetes and violence
against women. Any federal block grants to Montana should be appropriately apportioned
to American Indian entities and would support direct funding of them if possible.
Energy
Carbon based energy suppliers have large government subsides that are no
longer justified and I will work toward elimination of them over time. This will bring
renewable energy development costs in line with the true cost of energy and
will encourage rapid, economically feasible, development of carbon sequestration, bio-
fuels, energy conservation, solar and wind power.
Taxation
I support three new individual tax brackets: 12%; 22%; 28%; with elimination of nearly all
deductions but keeping child credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, mortgage interest on principal
residence, employer provided health insurance, charitable giving and retirement plans.
Corporations should have one rate of 29% and I would remove nearly all subsidies they now
enjoy. There should be no tax break on profits repatriated currently held overseas, in return
I would support a more international competitive tax system going forward but not complete
abolition of taxes on foreign profits.
Veterans
Every veteran knows what it is to sacrifice and the difference between sacrifice
and abuse. I believe veterans will do their part if everyone in the country contributes
financially to putting our country on the right track. I will not support, and will
vigorously oppose, any further financial contributions asked of our veterans unless every
American also makes a significant contribution.
To change Congress, we have to send a different kind of Congressman.
Sam Rankin for Congress 1645 Parkhill Dr. #3 Billings, MT 406-248-3974
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