I side with Illinois on 55% of issues in the 2012 Presidential election.

Most Important

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

You: Yes

76% of Illinois: Yes

8% of Illinois: Scale back our current involvement

7% of Illinois: No

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

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

More Important

Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?

You: Yes

39% of Illinois: Yes

15% of Illinois: No

14% of Illinois: We should give equal support to Israel and Palestine.

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

12% of Illinois: Yes, but respect Israel’s sovereignty and do not dictate how it should interact with its neighbors

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

2% of Illinois: Not the current regime

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

More Important

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

You: Support a NATO effort to contain the Sudanese military

77% of Illinois: Support a NATO effort to contain the Sudanese military

21% of Illinois: Do not get involved

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

More Important

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

You: Yes

62% of Illinois: Yes

16% of Illinois: Yes, bring a majority of the troops home but maintain a strong diplomatic presence

10% of Illinois: No, not until all U.S. military leaders are confident the mission has been accomplished

7% of Illinois: Yes, and only approve future wars through Congress

5% of Illinois: No

More Important

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

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

40% of Illinois: Only in matters of national security, human rights violations, or specifically asked by the international community

24% of Illinois: No

17% of Illinois: Only if there is a direct threat to our national security

12% of Illinois: Yes

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

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

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

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

Somewhat Important

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?

You: No, they are not U.S. citizens and should be subject to enhanced interrogation methods

38% of Illinois: No

22% of Illinois: No, they should be tried in military tribunals but not subject to torture

20% of Illinois: Yes

8% of Illinois: Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo Bay

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

5% of Illinois: No, they are not U.S. citizens and should be subject to enhanced interrogation methods

Most Important

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

You: Yes

86% of Illinois: Yes

4% of Illinois: Let each state determine which areas to protect

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

2% of Illinois: Yes, but allow more public access

2% of Illinois: No

1% of Illinois: Yes, and expand the government’s domain to protect more land

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

Somewhat Important

Is Global Warming a threat to the environment?

You: Yes

64% of Illinois: Yes

16% of Illinois: No

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

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

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

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

Most Important

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

You: No

40% of Illinois: No

26% of Illinois: Yes

13% of Illinois: Yes, but with more restrictions

11% of Illinois: Regardless, we should instead enact legislation that prevents banks from becoming too big to fail

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

3% of Illinois: No, remove the federal reserve and go back to the gold standard

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

Most Important

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

You: Yes

60% of Illinois: Yes

23% of Illinois: No, but in order to receive benefits they should be looking for a job or enrolled in education and job training programs

7% of Illinois: Yes, adults who receive government benefits should be required to work

4% of Illinois: No

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

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

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

Less Important

Should Congress raise the debt ceiling?

You: No

47% of Illinois: No

20% of Illinois: Yes

14% of Illinois: Offset the debt by raising taxes on the rich and reduced spending

8% of Illinois: No, cut spending

7% of Illinois: Offset the debt by raising taxes on the rich

2% of Illinois: Yes, raise the debt ceiling during a recession

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

Most Important

Do you believe the theory of Evolution?

You: Yes

56% of Illinois: Yes

13% of Illinois: No

9% of Illinois: Regardless, all theories should be taught in school

9% of Illinois: Yes, and I believe it is a part of Creationism

5% of Illinois: Yes, Evolution is a fact

4% of Illinois: Yes, and should be required in public schools

4% of Illinois: Up for debate

1% of Illinois: No, and it should not be taught in public schools

Somewhat Important

Should the federal government fund stem cell research?

You: Yes

64% of Illinois: Yes

13% of Illinois: Yes, as long as they are non-fetal stem cells

11% of Illinois: No, leave funding and research to the private sector

11% of Illinois: No

Most Important

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

You: No

51% of Illinois: No

18% of Illinois: Yes

12% of Illinois: Yes, if they pay taxes

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

5% of Illinois: Only for life threatening emergencies or infectious diseases

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

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

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

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

1% of Illinois: Yes, and grant them citizenship

Somewhat Important

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

You: Yes

31% of Illinois: No

28% of Illinois: Yes

16% of Illinois: Yes, create a simple path to citizenship for non-violent criminals

16% of Illinois: Yes, but only if they pay taxes

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

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

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

Somewhat Important

Should children of illegal immigrants be granted citizenship?

You: Yes, but it should not grant their parents citizenship

38% of Illinois: Yes

25% of Illinois: No

13% of Illinois: Yes, if they were born here

10% of Illinois: Yes, but after they turn 18 and apply for citizenship

6% of Illinois: Yes, but it should not grant their parents citizenship

5% of Illinois: Yes, but after 4 years of military service or earning a college degree

2% of Illinois: No, all illegal immigrants should be deported

1% of Illinois: Yes, and abolish all national borders

More Important

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

You: Yes

68% of Illinois: Yes

17% of Illinois: No

6% of Illinois: No, allow civil unions for same-sex couples but don't call it marriage

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

3% of Illinois: Let each state decide

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

More Important

What is your stance on abortion?

You: Pro-choice

56% of Illinois: Pro-choice

20% of Illinois: Pro-life

7% of Illinois: Pro-life, but allow in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother or child's health

7% of Illinois: Pro-choice, I don't agree with it but it's not my right or the government's to ban abortion

6% of Illinois: Pro-choice, but providing birth control, sex education, and social services could help reduce the number of abortions

2% of Illinois: Let each state decide

2% of Illinois: Ban after the first trimester

Somewhat Important

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

You: No

44% of Illinois: Yes

33% of Illinois: No

14% of Illinois: No, it should be covered like any other prescription

5% of Illinois: No, let the insurance companies decide instead of a government mandate

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

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

Less Important

Should marijuana be legalized in the U.S.?

You: Yes

50% of Illinois: Yes

22% of Illinois: No

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

6% of Illinois: Yes, but only for medical use

1% of Illinois: Yes, and immediately free all citizens jailed for drug offenses

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

More Important

Should we expand our offshore oil drilling?

You: No

39% of Illinois: Yes

35% of Illinois: No

16% of Illinois: Incentivize the private sector to develop alternative forms of energy

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

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

1% of Illinois: Nationalize the energy sector

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

Somewhat Important

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

You: Yes

53% of Illinois: No

21% of Illinois: Yes

14% of Illinois: Let each state decide

8% of Illinois: The federal government should not be involved in education

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

Most Important

Do you support increased gun control?

You: Yes

41% of Illinois: Yes

35% of Illinois: No

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

7% of Illinois: No, only for individuals with mental health issues and convicted felons

4% of Illinois: No, only for assault weapons

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

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

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

More Important

Are you in favor of decriminalizing all drugs?

You: No

41% of Illinois: No

37% of Illinois: Yes, but not all drugs

13% of Illinois: Yes

5% of Illinois: Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time for drug use

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

Somewhat Important

Should we expand or dismantle our Social Security program?

You: Keep "as is"

23% of Illinois: Keep "as is"

20% of Illinois: Expand

13% of Illinois: Privatize the current system by allowing younger workers to contribute a portion of their payroll tax obligation to a private investment account

11% of Illinois: Expand and increase the payroll tax on individuals making more than $250K to make up for the budget shortfall

9% of Illinois: Reform and raise the retirement age to account for people living longer

9% of Illinois: Dismantle

8% of Illinois: Reform the current system into a voluntary “opt-in” program

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

Most Important

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

You: No

44% of Illinois: Yes

37% of Illinois: No

9% of Illinois: Yes, but it was not big enough

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

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

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

More Important

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

You: Yes

41% of Illinois: No

28% of Illinois: Yes

18% of Illinois: Extend only for those making less than $250,000

5% of Illinois: Reform to a flat tax system

3% of Illinois: Abolish the IRS and pass the Fair Tax legislation

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

2% of Illinois: Abolish all income taxes

Somewhat Important

Should the federal government subsidize U.S. farmers?

You: No

37% of Illinois: No

36% of Illinois: Yes

17% of Illinois: Yes, but include small and organic farmers

10% of Illinois: Yes, but cut corn and factory farm subsidies

Somewhat Important

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?

You: No

46% of Illinois: Yes

29% of Illinois: No

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

9% of Illinois: Leave it up to the states to decide

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

Somewhat Important

Should we expand or dismantle our Medicare program?

You: Keep "as is"

60% of Illinois: Reform

13% of Illinois: Keep "as is"

12% of Illinois: Expand

10% of Illinois: Transform the system into a Canadian or European style single payer system that can negotiate pricing for medication and treatments

3% of Illinois: Dismantle

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

More Important

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

You: No

39% of Illinois: Yes

29% of Illinois: No

11% of Illinois: Yes, I support a majority of the plan but not all aspects

9% of Illinois: No, open the markets so insurers can compete across state lines and drive down costs

6% of Illinois: No, institute a universal healthcare system

3% of Illinois: Yes, institute a mandatory single payer system

2% of Illinois: Let each state decide

More Important

How should the U.S. deal with Iran?

You: Strategically eliminate their nuclear bomb making capabilities

48% of Illinois: Maintain diplomacy while discouraging use of nuclear weapons

28% of Illinois: Strategically eliminate their nuclear bomb making capabilities

13% of Illinois: Isolate through trade embargoes

6% of Illinois: Iran does not threaten our national security and there is no proof they are building a nuclear weapon

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

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

Somewhat Important

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

You: No

56% of Illinois: Yes

19% of Illinois: No

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

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

4% of Illinois: Yes, end embargoes with all countries and allow U.S. businesses to do business with any country

Least Important

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

You: No

45% of Illinois: Yes

21% of Illinois: No

14% of Illinois: Not during a recession

10% of Illinois: Incentivize the private sector to develop space technology

5% of Illinois: Leave funding and research to the private sector

4% of Illinois: Regardless, we should only use government funds for national defense purposes and leave exploration to the private sector

2% of Illinois: Regardless, we should not use space-based technology for military purposes