I side with Washington on 57% of issues in the 2012 Presidential election.

Most Important

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

Sam Minter: No

66% of Washington: No

10% of Washington: No, the government should prosecute copyright violators but not regulate the internet

9% of Washington: Yes

7% of Washington: No, industries should address their piracy issues instead of the government

7% of Washington: No, and enact legislation preventing any level of government policing the internet

Most Important

Do you support the Patriot act?

Sam Minter: No

48% of Washington: No

24% of Washington: Yes, but limit the scope of the government’s powers

18% of Washington: Yes

9% of Washington: No, and pass strict laws prohibiting any government surveillance

Somewhat Important

Do you support increased gun control?

Sam Minter: No

39% of Washington: Yes

35% of Washington: No

8% of Washington: Yes, require strict background checks, psychological testing, and training

8% of Washington: No, only for individuals with mental health issues and convicted felons

4% of Washington: No, only for assault weapons

3% of Washington: No, but increase penalties for gun-related crimes

2% of Washington: No, and the federal government should pass national “stand your ground” laws

1% of Washington: Yes, and ban all guns from public use

Somewhat Important

Do you support affirmative action programs?

Sam Minter: No

33% of Washington: No, but we should offer social programs to address poverty regardless of race or ethnicity

32% of Washington: Yes

28% of Washington: No

6% of Washington: No, and laws should be passed prohibiting minority groups from receiving any favorable treatment

1% of Washington: Yes, and laws should be passed requiring all federal agencies to give favorable treatments to minorities

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: No

56% of Washington: No

18% of Washington: Yes

14% of Washington: Let each state decide

9% of Washington: The federal government should not be involved in education

3% of Washington: The federal government should take over control of schools from the states

Somewhat Important

Are you in favor of decriminalizing all drugs?

Sam Minter: Yes

40% of Washington: No

37% of Washington: Yes, but not all drugs

15% of Washington: Yes

6% of Washington: Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time for drug use

3% of Washington: No, we should pass tougher drug laws

More Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

76% of Washington: Yes

9% of Washington: Scale back our current involvement

8% of Washington: No

5% of Washington: Yes, and use the U.N. peacekeeping forces to protect U.S. interests

3% of Washington: No, and remove the U.N. headquarters from the U.S.

More Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

64% of Washington: Yes

15% of Washington: Yes, bring a majority of the troops home but maintain a strong diplomatic presence

9% of Washington: No, not until all U.S. military leaders are confident the mission has been accomplished

8% of Washington: Yes, and only approve future wars through Congress

4% of Washington: No

More Important

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

Sam Minter: No

43% of Washington: Only in matters of national security, human rights violations, or specifically asked by the international community

23% of Washington: No

16% of Washington: Only if there is a direct threat to our national security

11% of Washington: Yes

3% of Washington: Only with non-violent diplomatic solutions such as sanctions and peace talks

2% of Washington: No, we have more important domestic issues to worry about

1% of Washington: No, and dramatically decrease our military while abolishing the CIA and NSA

1% of Washington: Yes, and use the military to preemptively strike any hostile nations perceived as a threat

Somewhat Important

How should the U.S. deal with Iran?

Sam Minter: Maintain diplomacy while discouraging use of nuclear weapons

49% of Washington: Maintain diplomacy while discouraging use of nuclear weapons

25% of Washington: Strategically eliminate their nuclear bomb making capabilities

14% of Washington: Isolate through trade embargoes

8% of Washington: Iran does not threaten our national security and there is no proof they are building a nuclear weapon

3% of Washington: Ignore their threats and cease all contact

1% of Washington: Overthrow the current government and instill a democracy

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

59% of Washington: Yes

16% of Washington: Yes, lift the travel ban but keep some provisions of the embargo in place

15% of Washington: No

6% of Washington: Yes, allow Americans to travel to any country they choose

3% of Washington: Yes, end embargoes with all countries and allow U.S. businesses to do business with any country

Less Important

Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?

Sam Minter: No

36% of Washington: Yes

17% of Washington: We should give equal support to Israel and Palestine.

15% of Washington: No

13% of Washington: No, we should be less involved

11% of Washington: Yes, but respect Israel’s sovereignty and do not dictate how it should interact with its neighbors

3% of Washington: No, we should not give aid to any foreign nations

2% of Washington: Not the current regime

1% of Washington: No, cut all support and aid

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

31% of Washington: Yes

27% of Washington: No

18% of Washington: Yes, create a simple path to citizenship for non-violent criminals

15% of Washington: Yes, but only if they pay taxes

6% of Washington: No, fine companies that employ illegal immigrants

2% of Washington: No, remove them from the U.S.

1% of Washington: No, but allow them to stay

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: No

46% of Washington: No

22% of Washington: Yes

19% of Washington: Extend only for those making less than $250,000

6% of Washington: Reform to a flat tax system

4% of Washington: Abolish the IRS and pass the Fair Tax legislation

2% of Washington: Yes, and enact more across the board cuts to aid all income levels

2% of Washington: Abolish all income taxes

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: No

43% of Washington: No

21% of Washington: Yes

13% of Washington: Yes, but with more restrictions

12% of Washington: Regardless, we should instead enact legislation that prevents banks from becoming too big to fail

6% of Washington: Yes, but only on the condition that top management be fired without compensation

4% of Washington: No, remove the federal reserve and go back to the gold standard

1% of Washington: Yes, and nationalize all big banks

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

55% of Washington: Yes

27% of Washington: No, but in order to receive benefits they should be looking for a job or enrolled in education and job training programs

6% of Washington: Yes, adults who receive government benefits should be required to work

5% of Washington: No

3% of Washington: No, but their benefits would expire after two years of unemployment

2% of Washington: Yes, and eliminate welfare all together as it is not authorized in the Constitution

1% of Washington: No, “workfare” is a form a slave labor

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

84% of Washington: Yes

5% of Washington: Let each state determine which areas to protect

3% of Washington: Yes, but allow limited logging, drilling, and mining

3% of Washington: Yes, but allow more public access

2% of Washington: No

2% of Washington: Yes, and expand the government’s domain to protect more land

1% of Washington: No, there is no reason for the government to own so much land

Somewhat Important

Is Global Warming a threat to the environment?

Sam Minter: Yes

65% of Washington: Yes

15% of Washington: No

11% of Washington: Regardless, we should incentivize the private sector to develop cleaner and efficient fuels

5% of Washington: No, global warming and cooling are natural cycles beyond our control

3% of Washington: There is not enough evidence to determine this

2% of Washington: Regardless, we should not devote government resources to prevent it

Somewhat Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

42% of Washington: Yes

25% of Washington: No

10% of Washington: Yes, I support a majority of the plan but not all aspects

8% of Washington: No, open the markets so insurers can compete across state lines and drive down costs

8% of Washington: No, institute a universal healthcare system

5% of Washington: Yes, institute a mandatory single payer system

3% of Washington: Let each state decide

Somewhat Important

Should marijuana be legalized in the U.S.?

Sam Minter: Yes

53% of Washington: Yes

20% of Washington: Yes. Legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana instead of criminalizing it

19% of Washington: No

5% of Washington: Yes, but only for medical use

2% of Washington: Yes, and immediately free all citizens jailed for drug offenses

1% of Washington: No, and increase penalties for all non-violent drug offenders

Less Important

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

Sam Minter: Yes

69% of Washington: Yes

16% of Washington: No

6% of Washington: Take the government out of marriage and instead make it a religious decision

5% of Washington: No, allow civil unions for same-sex couples but don't call it marriage

3% of Washington: Let each state decide

1% of Washington: No, marriage should be defined as between a man and woman

Less Important

What is your stance on abortion?

Sam Minter: Pro-choice

59% of Washington: Pro-choice

18% of Washington: Pro-life

7% of Washington: Pro-choice, but providing birth control, sex education, and social services could help reduce the number of abortions

6% of Washington: Pro-life, but allow in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother or child's health

6% of Washington: Pro-choice, I don't agree with it but it's not my right or the government's to ban abortion

2% of Washington: Let each state decide

2% of Washington: Ban after the first trimester

Somewhat Important

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

You: Do not get involved

78% of Washington: Support a NATO effort to contain the Sudanese military

20% of Washington: Do not get involved

2% of Washington: Overthrow the current government and instill a democracy

Most Important

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?

You: Yes

32% of Washington: No

23% of Washington: No, they should be tried in military tribunals but not subject to torture

22% of Washington: Yes

11% of Washington: Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo Bay

7% of Washington: Yes, just like U.S. citizens, terrorists should be given a fair trial in federal courts

4% of Washington: No, they are not U.S. citizens and should be subject to enhanced interrogation methods

Somewhat Important

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

You: No

51% of Washington: Yes

28% of Washington: No

13% of Washington: No, it should be covered like any other prescription

4% of Washington: No, let the insurance companies decide instead of a government mandate

4% of Washington: Yes, but exempt religious organizations or charities

1% of Washington: No, the government should sponsor abstinence education programs instead

Somewhat Important

Should the federal government allow the death penalty?

You: No

49% of Washington: Yes

29% of Washington: No

15% of Washington: Yes, but only in certain circumstances in which a heinous crime has been committed

7% of Washington: Leave it up to the states

Somewhat Important

Should we expand our offshore oil drilling?

You: No

42% of Washington: No

32% of Washington: Yes

15% of Washington: Incentivize the private sector to develop alternative forms of energy

4% of Washington: Deregulate and let the free market determine the best energy sources

4% of Washington: No, but maintain our current offshore oil wells

1% of Washington: Nationalize the energy sector

1% of Washington: No, end all offshore oil drilling

Somewhat Important

Should we expand or dismantle our Medicare program?

You: Keep "as is"

54% of Washington: Reform

14% of Washington: Expand

14% of Washington: Transform the system into a Canadian or European style single payer system that can negotiate pricing for medication and treatments

13% of Washington: Keep "as is"

3% of Washington: Dismantle

1% of Washington: Seniors should embrace responsibility for their own healthcare and leave the government out of it

Somewhat Important

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

You: Yes

45% of Washington: No

22% of Washington: Yes

13% of Washington: Yes, if they pay taxes

6% of Washington: Only for life threatening emergencies or infectious diseases

6% of Washington: No, but they should be allowed to purchase private healthcare

3% of Washington: No, but their children should have access

1% of Washington: No, deport illegal immigrants seeking healthcare

1% of Washington: No, the government should not subsidize healthcare

1% of Washington: Yes, but they should be deported after treatment

1% of Washington: Yes, and grant them citizenship

Somewhat Important

Should we expand or dismantle our Social Security program?

You: Keep "as is"

23% of Washington: Keep "as is"

22% of Washington: Expand

14% of Washington: Expand and increase the payroll tax on individuals making more than $250K to make up for the budget shortfall

12% of Washington: Privatize the current system by allowing younger workers to contribute a portion of their payroll tax obligation to a private investment account

8% of Washington: Dismantle

8% of Washington: Reform and raise the retirement age to account for people living longer

7% of Washington: Reform the current system to factor inflation rather than wage growth

7% of Washington: Reform the current system into a voluntary “opt-in” program

Less Important

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

You: No

46% of Washington: Yes

34% of Washington: No

11% of Washington: Yes, but it was not big enough

4% of Washington: Yes, and enact legislation to inject the economy with a stimulus every time the GDP falls below a certain level

4% of Washington: No, I'm against any type of federal stimulus

1% of Washington: No, and enact legislation preventing any future administration from passing a stimulus

Somewhat Important

Should the federal government subsidize U.S. farmers?

You: No

37% of Washington: No

30% of Washington: Yes

19% of Washington: Yes, but include small and organic farmers

13% of Washington: Yes, but cut corn and factory farm subsidies

Less Important

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?

You: No

43% of Washington: Yes

28% of Washington: No

13% of Washington: Yes, and adjust the wage level according to inflation every year

13% of Washington: Leave it up to the states to decide

3% of Washington: No, eliminate all federal wage standards

Less Important

Should Congress raise the debt ceiling?

You: Yes

44% of Washington: No

21% of Washington: Yes

15% of Washington: Offset the debt by raising taxes on the rich and reduced spending

9% of Washington: Offset the debt by raising taxes on the rich

8% of Washington: No, cut spending

3% of Washington: Yes, raise the debt ceiling during a recession

1% of Washington: The Federal Reserve should destroy the $1.6 trillion in government bonds it now holds

Less Important

Should the federal government fund stem cell research?

You: No

65% of Washington: Yes

12% of Washington: Yes, as long as they are non-fetal stem cells

12% of Washington: No, leave funding and research to the private sector

11% of Washington: No