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Candidate positions: Erik Paulsen

The following positions reflect those used for Erik Paulsen in the Select A Candidate survey. They come from the candidate's public statements, Web sites, and responses to Minnesota Public Radio questionnaires. In some cases, candidiates have failed to respond to inquiries, and their position is noted as "No known opinion."


Issue Question Candidate Position
Job creation What would you do to stimulate job creation and economic development? ANSWER OPTION
Support moving forward on free trade agreements to open up new markets for exports, incentives for small businesses to hire new employees and re-invest in their companies and a simplified tax code making it easier for families and businesses to work, save and invest.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
From a statement on Paulsen's campaign website. (More Info)
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Federal deficit What should be done to erase the federal budget deficit? ANSWER OPTION
Vote against bailouts, require the Congress to adopt a balanced budget and support a line item veto for the President.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
From a statement on Paulsen's campaign website. (More Info)
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Bush tax cuts Do you support extending the Bush tax cuts? If so, all of them? ANSWER OPTION
Yes, all of them.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
Not extending all the tax cuts would harm small businesses, Paulsen said on MPR's Midday in October. (More Info)
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Issue Question Candidate Position
Social Security Do you favor privatizing Social Security to any degree? ANSWER OPTION
The government should provide any incentives. Support incentives to provide additional savings that can be done on top of regular retirement, whether it's through additional 401k savings, universal savings accounts, that's appropriate.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
"Social Security absolutely has to be preserved and protected, without a doubt. That is a contract. That is a bond that has been made with workers through the government. That needs to be carried on. The government should provide any incentives. I support incentives to provide additional savings that can be done on top of regular retirement, whether it's through additional 401k savings, universal savings accounts, that's appropriate. We have almost essentially a negative savings rate here in the United States and people need to set aside a little bit more money for their long term retirement," Paulsen said during the 2008 campaign. Back to top
Education How would you reform the education system? ANSWER OPTION
Support, but propose significant changes to the No Child Left Behind Act and provide states and local schools with the flexibility they need to improve student and teacher performance.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
"We need accountability in education that includes measuring results. I will work to make significant changes to the No Child Left Behind Act and provide states and local schools with the flexibility they need to improve student and teacher performance," Paulsen said during the 2008 election. Back to top
Health care What types of reform should be made in the health care sector? ANSWER OPTION
Repeal and replace the recently passed health care law with a new law that would include: not allowing insurance companies to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions, paying for quality, not quantity, focusing on prevention and wellness, allowing insurance to be purchased across states lines and allowing small businesses to pool together, leveling the playing field by giving the same tax benefits to individuals as those with employer sponsored coverage, stopping lawsuit abuse so doctors don't have to practice defensive medicine.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
From a statement on Paulsen's campaign website. (More Info)
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Issue Question Candidate Position
Energy policy What would you do to shape America's energy policy? ANSWER OPTION
Reduce dependence on foreign oil and create a national energy policy that focuses more on renewable energy, such as nuclear, wind and solar, as well as environmentally sound development of fossil fuels and incentives for conservation.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
From a statement on Paulsen's campaign website. (More Info)
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Same-sex marriage Should the U.S. or Minnesota Constitutions be amended to define marriage as between one man and one woman? ANSWER OPTION
Yes, on the state level.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
As a state representative, Paulsen supported a measure that would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman. He has not, however, addressed the issue since his election to the U.S. House. (More Info)
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Abortion Where do you stand on legalized abortion? ANSWER OPTION
Abortion should be illegal.

CANDIDATE'S POSITION
Paulsen received a 100 percent approval rating from the National Right to Life organization, an group advocating for the illegality of abortion. (More Info)
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