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Gary Johnson vs Jill Stein on the issues of the 2012 Presidential election

Issues they side on...

Foreign Policy

Should the U.S. intervene in the affairs of other countries?

Gary Johnson: Only if there is a direct threat to our national securityPassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Foreign Intervention Conviction=5 Johnson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Foreign Intervention Source

Jill Stein: Only with non-violent diplomatic solutions such as sanctions and peace talksPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Foreign Intervention Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Foreign Intervention Source

Should the U.S. end the war in Afghanistan?

Gary Johnson: Yes, and only approve future wars through CongressPassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Afghanistan Conviction=5 Johnson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Afghanistan Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Afghanistan Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Afghanistan Source

Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?

Gary Johnson: No, we should not give aid to any foreign nationsPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Israel Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Israel Source

Jill Stein: We should give equal support to Israel and Palestine.Passion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Israel Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Israel Source

How should the U.S. deal with Iran?

Their answers: Iran does not threaten our national security and there is no proof they are building a nuclear weaponPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Iran Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Iran SourcePassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Iran Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Iran Source

Should the United States end its trade embargo and travel ban on Cuba?

Gary Johnson: Yes, end embargoes with all countries and allow U.S. businesses to do business with any countryPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Cuba Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Cuba Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=3 Stein has a moderate passion score of 3 on Cuba Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Cuba Source

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?

Their answers: Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo BayPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Terrorism Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Terrorism SourcePassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Terrorism Conviction=4 Stein has a high conviction score of 4 on Terrorism Source

Should the government cut military spending?

Their answers: YesPassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Military Spending Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Military SpendingPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Military Spending Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Military Spending

Healthcare

Should marijuana be legalized in the U.S.?

Gary Johnson: Yes. Legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana instead of criminalizing itPassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Marijuana Conviction=5 Johnson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Marijuana Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Marijuana Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Marijuana Source

Science

Do you believe the theory of Evolution?

Their answers: YesPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Evolution Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Evolution SourcePassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Evolution Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Evolution Source

Domestic Policy

Do you support the Patriot act?

Gary Johnson: No, and pass strict laws prohibiting any government surveillancePassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Patriot Act Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Patriot Act Source

Jill Stein: NoPassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Patriot Act Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Patriot Act Source

Are you in favor of decriminalizing all drugs?

Gary Johnson: Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time for drug usePassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Drug Policy Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Drug Policy Source

Jill Stein: Yes, but not all drugsPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Drug Policy Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Drug Policy Source

Should the federal government regulate the internet to deter online piracy?

Gary Johnson: No, industries should address their piracy issues instead of the governmentPassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Internet Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Internet Source

Jill Stein: NoPassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Internet Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Internet Source

Social

What is your stance on abortion?

Gary Johnson: Ban after the first trimesterPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Abortion Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Abortion Source

Jill Stein: Pro-choicePassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Abortion Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Abortion Source

Should gay marriage be allowed in the U.S.?

Their answers: YesPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Gay Marriage Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Gay Marriage SourcePassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Gay Marriage Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Gay Marriage Source

Should the federal government allow the death penalty?

Their answers: NoPassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Death Penalty Conviction=5 Johnson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Death Penalty SourcePassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Death Penalty Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Death Penalty Source

Immigration

Should children of illegal immigrants be granted citizenship?

Gary Johnson: Yes, if they were born herePassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Immigration Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Immigration Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=3 Stein has a moderate passion score of 3 on Immigration Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigration Source

Should illegal immigrants working in the U.S. be granted temporary amnesty?

Gary Johnson: Yes, create a simple path to citizenship for non-violent criminalsPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Immigrant Laborers Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Immigrant Laborers Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Immigrant Laborers Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigrant Laborers Source

the Environment

Is Global Warming a threat to the environment?

Gary Johnson: Regardless, we should incentivize the private sector to develop cleaner and efficient fuelsPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Global Warming Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Global Warming Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Global Warming Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Global Warming Source

Issues they do not side on...

the Environment

Should we expand our offshore oil drilling?

Gary Johnson: Deregulate and let the free market determine the best energy sourcesPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Oil Drilling Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Oil Drilling Source

Jill Stein: NoPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Oil Drilling Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Oil Drilling Source

Should U.S. National Parks and Forests continue to be preserved and protected by the federal government?

Gary Johnson: Let each state determine which areas to protectPassion=1 Johnson has a very low passion score of 1 on National Parks Conviction=2 Johnson has a low conviction score of 2 on National Parks Source

Jill Stein: Yes, and expand the government’s domain to protect more landPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on National Parks Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on National Parks Source

Should the federal government continue to give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?

Gary Johnson: No, the government should leave the energy sector alone and end support for failed technologiesPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Alternative Engery Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Alternative Engery

Jill Stein: Yes, the future of our economy relies on the creation of jobs in sustainable energyPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Alternative Engery Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Alternative Engery

Science

Should the federal government fund stem cell research?

Gary Johnson: No, leave funding and research to the private sectorPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Stem Cell Research Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Stem Cell Research Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Stem Cell Research Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Stem Cell Research Source

Should the United States increase our space exploration efforts and budget?

Gary Johnson: Leave funding and research to the private sectorPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Space Exploration Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Space Exploration Source

Jill Stein: Regardless, we should not use space-based technology for military purposesPassion=3 Stein has a moderate passion score of 3 on Space Exploration Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Space Exploration Source

Foreign Policy

How should the U.S. handle the genocide in Sudan?

Gary Johnson: Do not get involvedPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Sudan Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan Source

Jill Stein: Support a NATO effort to contain the Sudanese militaryPassion=3 Stein has a moderate passion score of 3 on Sudan Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan Source

Should the U.S. maintain a presence at the United Nations?

Gary Johnson: Scale back our current involvementPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on United Nations Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on United Nations Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=2 Stein has a low passion score of 2 on United Nations Conviction=2 Stein has a low conviction score of 2 on United Nations Source

Should the U.S. military fly unmanned drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?

Gary Johnson: No, the U.S. military does not have the right to fly unmanned aircraft over foreign countries without a Congressional declaration of war.

Jill Stein: Yes, the U.S. needs to use all means necessary to combat terrorism

Domestic Policy

Should we limit federal funds to public schools that do not meet performance standards?

Gary Johnson: The federal government should not be involved in educationPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Education Conviction=5 Johnson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Education Source

Jill Stein: NoPassion=3 Stein has a moderate passion score of 3 on Education Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Education Source

Do you support affirmative action programs?

Gary Johnson: NoPassion=1 Johnson has a very low passion score of 1 on Affirmative Action Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Affirmative Action Source

Jill Stein: Yes, and laws should be passed requiring all federal agencies to give favorable treatments to minoritiesPassion=3 Stein has a moderate passion score of 3 on Affirmative Action Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Affirmative Action Source

Do you support increased gun control?

Gary Johnson: NoPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Gun Control Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Gun Control Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Gun Control Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Gun Control Source

Should corporations and unions be permitted to fund broadcast advertisements backing political candidates through political action committees (Super PACS)?

Gary Johnson: Yes, any restriction on campaign spending violates the first amendment Source

Jill Stein: No, corporations are not people and should not be allowed to finance political campaignsPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Campaign Finance Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Campaign Finance Source

the Economy

Should we expand or dismantle our Social Security program?

Gary Johnson: Privatize the current system by allowing younger workers to contribute a portion of their payroll tax obligation to a private investment accountPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Social Security Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Social Security Source

Jill Stein: Keep "as is"Passion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Social Security Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Social Security Source

Do you agree with President Obama's 2009 Stimulus Plan?

Gary Johnson: No, I'm against any type of federal stimulusPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Economic Stimulus Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Economic Stimulus Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Economic Stimulus Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Economic Stimulus Source

Do you believe the 2001 and 2003 George W Bush tax cuts should be extended?

Gary Johnson: Abolish the IRS and pass the Fair Tax legislationPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Taxes Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Taxes Source

Jill Stein: NoPassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Taxes Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Taxes Source

Should the federal government subsidize U.S. farmers?

Gary Johnson: NoPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Farm Subsidies Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Farm Subsidies Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Farm Subsidies Conviction=4 Stein has a high conviction score of 4 on Farm Subsidies Source

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?

Gary Johnson: No, eliminate all federal wage standardsPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Minimum Wage Conviction=5 Johnson has a very high conviction score of 5 on Minimum Wage Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=2 Stein has a low passion score of 2 on Minimum Wage Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Minimum Wage Source

Should Congress raise the debt ceiling?

Gary Johnson: No, cut spendingPassion=5 Johnson has a very high passion score of 5 on Debt Ceiling Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Debt Ceiling Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=2 Stein has a low passion score of 2 on Debt Ceiling Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Debt Ceiling Source

Should the U.S. have bailed out the major banks during the financial crisis of 2008?

Gary Johnson: NoPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Financial Regulation Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Financial Regulation Source

Jill Stein: Yes, and nationalize all big banksPassion=2 Stein has a low passion score of 2 on Financial Regulation Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Financial Regulation Source

Should able-bodied, mentally capable adults who receive welfare be required to work?

Gary Johnson: YesPassion=2 Johnson has a low passion score of 2 on Welfare Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Welfare Source

Jill Stein: No, “workfare” is a form a slave laborPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Welfare Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Welfare Source

Social

Should the government require health insurance companies to provide free birth control?

Gary Johnson: No, let the insurance companies decide instead of a government mandatePassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Government Mandates Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Government Mandates Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=5 Stein has a very high passion score of 5 on Government Mandates Conviction=5 Stein has a very high conviction score of 5 on Government Mandates Source

Healthcare

Should we expand or dismantle our Medicare program?

Gary Johnson: ReformPassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Medicare Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Medicare Source

Jill Stein: Transform the system into a Canadian or European style single payer system that can negotiate pricing for medication and treatmentsPassion=3 Stein has a moderate passion score of 3 on Medicare Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Medicare Source

Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

Gary Johnson: No, open the markets so insurers can compete across state lines and drive down costsPassion=4 Johnson has a high passion score of 4 on Healthcare Conviction=3 Johnson has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Healthcare Source

Jill Stein: No, institute a universal healthcare systemPassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Healthcare Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Healthcare Source

Immigration

Should illegal immigrants be given access to government-subsidized healthcare?

Gary Johnson: No, the government should not subsidize healthcarePassion=3 Johnson has a moderate passion score of 3 on Immigration Healthcare Conviction=4 Johnson has a high conviction score of 4 on Immigration Healthcare Source

Jill Stein: YesPassion=4 Stein has a high passion score of 4 on Immigration Healthcare Conviction=3 Stein has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigration Healthcare Source

Discuss these results...

Why can't we have an election with these two candidates instead?

Tony Dreher

The man behind the curtain has served up your two choices. Don't question it! Who does that "man" represent? News producers, the D & R campaigns, pollsters, and The Commission on Presidential Debates. They have narrowed the hard choices for you. How nice, right? www.GaryJohnson2012.com

A.j. Mesalic

That's what I have been thinking as well. I have been having a tough time deciding between the two because these are the only real choices. I am leaning Gary though.

Becky Ashton Livesey

Now that would be my vote. I can't decide which of these two I will wind up voting for either.

Jerome Armstrong

We do it's called the 2012 election. Both are running for President. Believe it or not you can choose one.

Ben Friesen

They're both a better competition compared to Mitt Romney. They could have a chance to beat Obama. I'm not for war or subsidized farms OR nationalizing all banks. I don't think it's fair to try to make life "fair" for people who complain to the government. I don't like hurting someone for the benefit of someone else. If someone wants to benefit someone else, they should have the option to, not be forced to. Some (Not all of course) people who complain about life not being fair are ignorant and shouldn't be allowed to float in the pool that should be designed only for the truly needy. The system could be better tailored to have sponsor families (as a tax write off too) instead of federalizing it and taking money from people who planned to expand further but are held back because all of these damn taxes! We should have taxes if we're in war and congress shouldn't be getting a dime while we're in war. If we aren't in a war, taxes should be nonexistent.

Jessica Mendoza

In my opinion, Gary Johnson should be in the upcoming presidential debate.The parties Obama & Romney represent is the reason spending be happening alot, our rights are being taken away, and our country was in a tax deficit.The two party system is the broken system.Both Obama & Romney are bad.Obama wants to make police state style laws, its bad enough he already implemented drones and the TSA.Romney wants to get in office and support his Wall Street friends instead of me & you the people.Its pretty clear Gary Johnson is the man for the job and the people's president.

Lawrence Wider

Just go back and forth between these two's answers...really wish they were the debates coming up.

David Charleston

Can't say I cidided with one more than another, but Johnson is funny, and Stein had my support for the first third of the questions. Fun... wait. I just took the survey and it looks like I side with Gary roughly 85%. Never thought I'd be considered a Libertarian Republican. ewwww

Dmitry Chepusov

... to follow up, this was an excellent idea by Johnson's campaign. Done like a true politician.

Dmitry Chepusov

I think it would be much better if the US moved to a Single Transferable Vote/Instant run off system. That way people could (for example) vote Stein as their first choice and Obama as their second choice without the fear that a vote for the Green candidate could hand the election to a Republican. The same applies to Libertarian first, Republican second etc.

Jason Spratt

I'll be casting my vote for Gary Johnson.

African Americans for Libertarianism

For me, Stein comes out ahead due to her more realistic approach to social and environmental policies. Both would be better than Romama or Bomney but Stein gets my vote!

Yolanda De LosAngeles

Totally agree. Johnson has some great points, but he doesn't take a strong enough stance against climate change.

Cameron Attaran

WE ALL need to have the moral courage and not let ourselves bow down to the "lesser" of two evils! WE ALL need to vote for who we truly support. Only then can we have our country ran OUR way! This year I have pledged to do just that! Gary Johnson 2012!

Jacob Harold

See which candidate you side with!