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According to research done by the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, U.S. Olympic athletes are liable to pay income tax on medals earned and prizes received at the London games. Under U.S. tax law, total tax burden on a gold medal winner would be up to $8986. A silver medal winner's total tax burden would be up to $5,385, while a bronze medal winner's total tax burden would be up to $3,502. Do you believe Congress should pass legislation to give Olympic athletes an exemption from these taxes?
Yes. The athletes have proudly represented our country on a worldwide stage and should not be penalized once they return home for their success. (51.5%)
No. Special exemptions make the tax code unnecessarily complex which is why our tax code is so complicated. We need comprehensive tax reform, not special treatment to certain individuals. (31.7%)
I have another answer. (16.8%)
Today the President will visit our region’s own Norfolk State University! We welcome him to our beautiful region and look forward to hearing his remarks to the next generation of Americans. What would you most like to hear from the President?
The status of opening up Virginia’s coastal energy so we can unleash the job creating potential of our energy resources. (9.2%)
A plan to stop the defense cuts or ‘sequestration’ that threaten our national security and men and women in uniform. (21.9%)
A plan to balance our national budget. (33.4%)
I would like to hear something else from the President. (28%)
A plan to improve education in America. (7.5%)
The Daily Press reports that the price of fuel in Hampton Roads now stands at $3.56 for a gallon of regular gas, up almost 30 cents from a month ago. Have you noticed? Has this impacted your driving routine?
Yes, I have noticed it costs more to fill my tank, but it has not affected how much I drive. (25.1%)
Yes, I have noticed the price increase and have consciously decided not to drive as much as I usually do. (42.9%)
Yes, I have noticed the price increase and it has affected not only my personal driving habits, but my job or business as well. (19.5%)
No, I haven’t noticed the price increases. (1.3%)
I have another answer. (11.1%)
The International Committee of the Red Cross has declared the conflict in Syria a civil war. Although members of his regime have defected, President Assad remains in power and his armies have not ceased shelling civilian populations. As the human tragedy continues to unfold in Syria, some are calling for increased American involvement. Which of the following course of action do you believe the United States should pursue?
This is a civil war and the United States should not intervene in the internal affairs of Syria. (43%)
The United States should provide humanitarian aid and share intelligence with the Syrian rebels. (28.4%)
The United States should target President Assad’s military forces in targeted airstrikes, and take the step in choice 2. (11.8%)
The United States should consider putting American boots on the ground, and take the steps in choices 2 and 3. (1.3%)
I have another answer. (15.6%)
The Supreme Court recently struck down the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 which declared it a federal misdemeanor to falsely claim receipt of military medals. The ruling determined that simply lying about one’s military service and accomplishments qualifies as protected speech under the Constitution. Do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision?
I agree with the decision. Although despicable, lying about military service is free speech protected under the First Amendment. (13.7%)
I agree with the decision, however, the law should be amended to punish those would receive a financial benefit for lying. (29.3%)
I do not agree. Punishment should be jail time. (15.1%)
**I do not agree. Punishment should be performing community service in a veterans organization. (33.4%)
I have another answer. (8.4%)
Congressman Rigell is a sponsor of the ‘No Budget, No Pay’ Act that states that in order for Members of Congress to get paid they must pass a Budget and all 12 appropriations bills by Oct. 1 of each fiscal year. If you were able to vote on this bill in Congress, how would you vote?
I would vote FOR this bill. Members of Congress must pass a Budget and all 12 appropriations bills before they are paid, just like the rest of us. (90.9%)
I would vote AGAINST this bill. Congress has a lot of work on its plate and should receive pay regardless of when they pass the Budget and the 12 Appropriations Bills. (1.2%)
I have another answer (7.9%)
Medical costs are rising at three times the rate of inflation due to a variety of factors embedded throughout the system, such as advances in medical technology – in the form of new drugs, new procedures, and new devices – and medical malpractice costs. In fact, according to the McKinsey Global Institute, the United States spends twice as much on health care than it does on food. In light of the increasing cost of health care, what do you think should be done to curb medical costs? (We want to hear all of your ideas - this is an open-ended poll.)
Click here to see the results of this poll.
As you may know, the tax cuts that were put in place in 2001 are due to expire at the end of this year. Do you think Congress should:
Extend the tax cuts permanently for all taxpayers (31.5%)
Extend the tax cuts for one year for all taxpayers (4.8%)
Extend the tax cuts for one year just for families earning less than $250,000 (12.6%)
Extend the tax cuts permanently just for families earning less than $250,000 (28.9%)
Do neither and allow the tax cuts to expire (10.6%)
I have another answer (11.6%)
Recently, SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon capsule from Cape Canaveral, FL. This marks the first commercial space launch destined for the International Space Station (ISS) and a new era in commercial space flight. Which of the following roles do you think should be the primary long term focus of the commercial space industry?
Ferrying people and cargo between Earth and the ISS (18.5%)
Creating a viable market for space tourism (8.5%)
Establishing the first colony on the moon (8.5%)
Landing the first humans on Mars (6.2%)
Enhancing our defense capabilities (29%)
I have another answer (29.4%)
Currently, the Constitution allows for unlimited terms for Representatives in the House and for Senators. I personally believe that term limits would benefit the country (and have pledged to serve no more than six terms, or 12 years, if I had the privilege to do so), but there is a robust debate on the merits of Congressional term limits. What do you think? Should there be a constitutional amendment to term limit all House Members?
Yes. Term limits are the best way to end ‘careerism’ public service. People in Washington should ‘serve and go home.’ (66.2%)
Yes, term limits sound like a good idea, but the limit should span several decades so Members can get real work accomplished. (3.5%)
No, I don’t believe term limits are a good idea, but I do support extending the terms of Representatives from two year to four year terms in order to decrease continuous campaigning. (6.5%)
No. Term limits are unconstitutional and the voters should be left to decide when a Member’s career is over. (3.9%)
No. We need experienced, qualified legislators in Congress who know the issues and know the process. Term limiting Members would prevent skilled legislators from helping the country. (2.2%)
I have another answer. (17.7%)
At 39.2%, the United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the world As part of the budget plan passed earlier this year, House Republicans want to lower the corporate tax rate to 25%; however, the President’s Administration is proposing a rate of 28%. What do you think the U.S. corporate tax rate should be?
39.2% - It should not change. (10.2%)
28% - I support the President’s proposal. (24.2%)
25 % - I support the House-passed proposal. (38.4%)
I don’t know. (1.8%)
I have another answer. (25.5%)
Currently, there is a loophole in the tax code that allows corporations to deduct private jets as a business expenditure. I believe this loophole should be closed, and the revenue should be used as incentives for businesses to hire veterans and wounded warriors. What is your opinion on closing this loophole?
I agree -- I believe we should close the loophole and put the money toward hiring veterans and wounded warriors. (27.8%)
This is just another example of a lobbyist-inspired loophole. I believe it should be removed from the tax code, regardless of where the new revenue goes. (41.8%)
I support leaving this tax deduction in the tax code. Private jets are a business expense, and closing the loophole constitutes a form of ‘class warfare.’ (15.6%)
I have another answer. (14.8%)
What do you believe the Justices should decide on the future of the PPACA?
The entire bill should be upheld. (33.9%)
The individual mandate is unconstitutional and should be overturned, but the rest of the bill should be protected. (7%)
The individual mandate is unconstitutional and so the entire bill should be overturned. (i.e. the severability clause) (33.7%)
I have another answer (3.9%)
The entire bill should be overturned due to all arguments presented. (21.4%)
A recent Gallup poll concluded that only 54% of Americans believe the United States is the number one military power in the world, the lowest figure since 1999. What do you think?
America is the strongest military power in the world, hands down. (31.6%)
America remains among the strongest but has lost some of its military strength in the last decade. (49.9%)
America is no longer among the strongest military powers in the world. (3.6%)
I don’t know. (1.2%)
Another answer. (13.6%)
Though the nuclear ambitions of Iran are unclear, it is evident that President Ahmadinejad wants to damage the U.S. economy. The Pentagon recently announced the Navy will remain focused in the Middle East, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, to prevent Iran from shutting down the only sea passage to the open ocean for petroleum producing nations in the Persian Gulf region. In your opinion, how severe is the overall threat from Iran to the United States?
A severe threat-since Iran continues to develop its enrichment capability for a nuclear weapon, supports terrorism, and the spread of violence. (64.4%)
A potential threat in the future. (21.6%)
Not a threat-they have talked about closing the Strait of Hormuz in the past and have not done so. (12%)
I don’t know. (2%)
If you had to pick just one measure from the list below, what do you think is the best way to begin bringing down gas prices in America?
Open up more American coastal energy resources. (17.5%)
Tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (1.8%)
Increase regulations on Wall Street speculators. (18.7%)
Begin construction on the Keystone XL pipeline immediately. (22.6%)
Add new domestic refining capacity by building new oil refineries. (11.8%)
Nothing, we should keep the price of gasoline high so Americans are forced to use less. (3.4%)
I have another answer. (24.2%)
**most answers were 'all of the above'
The stock market has seen increasing gains over the past few weeks, even jumping above 13,000 points for the first time since 2008. Why do you think this is happening?
The economy is finally back on track and we are out of the financial crisis. (4.8%)
The interest rate is so low that Americans are looking to stocks to invest. (7%)
Central banks around the world have been flooding markets with money, giving stocks an artificial short-term boost. (14.7%)
I don’t know for sure, but the stock market is a poor indicator of economic health and we are still in trouble. (55.7%)
I have another answer. (17.8%)
In your opinion, how severe are the class conflicts in today’s society?
Very strong (33.6%)
Strong (32%)
Not very strong (14.4%)
I don’t see any class conflicts (5.2%)
Other (14.9%)
Do you support SOPA in its current form?
Yes, I believe it is the right way to stop IP theft. (25.2%)
No. I believe we must stop IP theft but this is not the way to do so. (43.5%)
No. I don’t believe the government should have any role in protecting IP. (24.5%)
I have another answer. (6.8%)
According to Politico, the House is poised to vote on a payroll tax cut that benefits 160 million Americans, extend unemployment benefits and forestall rate cuts to doctors who treat Medicare patients. Under the plan, a 2 percentage point payroll tax cut would be extended until the end of the year. Unemployment benefits would be extended for the next 10 months and doctors who treat Medicare patients would avoid seeing their payments cut. Do you support this plan?
Yes, this is 100% the right plan to prevent taxes going up on Americans. (11.3%)
Yes, this agreement is imperfect, but still gets the job done for Americans suffering from a slow-growth economy. (40.9%)
No, this is not the best solution and I’d rather see the payroll tax holiday expire than agree to this. (18.8%)
No, we shouldn’t extend the payroll tax break. (13.2%)
Another answer. (15.8%)
USAToday recently reported that the amount of money the federal government owes to its creditors, combined with IOUs to government retirement and other programs, now tops $15.23 trillion. That's roughly equal to the value of all goods and services the U.S. economy produces in one year: $15.17 trillion as of September, the latest estimate. Private projections show the economy likely grew to about $15.3 trillion by December — a level the debt is likely to surpass this month. The story went on to quote Steve Bell of the Bipartisan Policy Center: "The 100% mark means that your entire debt is as big as everything you're producing in your country. Clearly, that can't continue."Do you agree with Mr. Bell? If so, what do you think is the most effective way of doing this?
Cut just defense spending (3%)
Cut just entitlement spending (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security) (1.4%)
Cut domestic programs like agricultural programs, education, etc (3.9%)
Cut all spending so that it equals tax revenue (i.e. a Balanced Budget Amendment) (52.9%)
Raise taxes to meet our spending obligations (7%)
Raise taxes AND cut all spending (30.1%)
I don’t know (1.8%)
Less than 1% of the US population is serving in the miltary. Do you think the military should be more representative of our population? If so, how?
Yes but I don’t know how (3.2%)
Yes, we should reinstate draft (8.3%)
Yes, we should institute compulsory two year (or similar) military service (29.8%)
Yes, we should offer more incentive to join the military (15.4%)
No, we should maintain all volunteer force structured as it is now (31.7%)
I don’t know (1%)
I have another answer (10.6%)
Americans are fed up with Washington and rightly so. With painful news coming from seemingly every direction, from unemployment to skyrocketing debt, the dysfunction in our nation's legislative body is now so severe that the future of every American is threatened. Which of the following do you think would be the most effective way of reforming Congress?
Term limits to bring new people, new energy, and new ideas to Congress. (32.6%)
Pension Reform to discourage career politicians. (9.2%)
Committee Reform to break down the hierarchal system that is counterproductive to moving new legislation and holding meaningful, effective hearings. (6.5%)
Budget Process Reform to streamline the process, cut excessive spending and help weed out unwarranted funding (11.9%)
Another answer (39.8%)
Do you support moving forward with construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline?
Yes, we should proceed with the project as quickly as possible (69.1%)
No, the employment potential is not worth the environmental risk (21.6%)
I have another answer (9.3%)
Do you support extending the payroll tax holiday and if so, how do you think it should be paid for?
a) Yes, we should extend the payroll tax break and pay for it by taxing those with higher incomes. (31.3%)
b) Yes, we should extend the payroll tax break and pay for it through other spending cuts. (22.2%)
c) No, we should not extend the payroll tax break because it is a temporary fix. (13.7%)
d) No, we should not extend the payroll tax break because the country can't afford the cost. (16%)
e) I have another answer. (please enter your answer below) (16.8%)
Do you support congressional term limits?
Yes (89%)
No (8.5%)
Other (2.6%)
Do you support further exploration off the coast of Virginia?
Yes (77.2%)
No (17.9%)
Other (4.9%)
Do you believe our country's tax structure should be reformed?
Yes (95.6%)
No (1.8%)
Other (2.6%)
Have you or someone you know been affected by contaminated drywall imported from China?
Yes (34.8%)
No (63.9%)
Other (1.3%)
Do you support manned space exploration?
Yes (77.3%)
No (16%)
Other (6.7%)
For social media, do you prefer to use Facebook, Twitter, something else, or nothing at all?
Facebook (38.4%)
Twitter (2.2%)
Nothing (41.1%)
Something else (12.4%)
Other (5.9%)
Is the government or private enterprise more attuned to the needs of the public?
Government (12.1%)
Private enterprise (79.7%)
Other (8.2%)
Do you support more or less regulation of firearms?
More regulation (31.6%)
Less regulation (57.1%)
Other (11.2%)
Do you support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution?
No (25.9%)
Yes (74.1%)
If gas prices continue to rise, do you support drilling off the coast of Virginia?
No (38.9%)
Yes (61.1%)
Do you favor repealing the President's government-run health care plan?
No (39.6%)
Yes (60.4%)
What issue is the most pressing to you at this time?
Jobs/Economy (56.5%)
Military/Vets (4.3%)
Healthcare (4.3%)
All of the above (8.7%)
Other (26.1%)
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