Sam Rankin in Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites
On Corporations:
End tax subsidies; & tax corporations in foreign countries
- Capital gains and dividends taxed as ordinary income.
- A modified Territorial system for taxing corporations in foreign countries.
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Eliminate ALL tax expenditures i.e. subsidies. If allowed, tax rate(s) must rise.
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
On Government Reform:
Special interests support the status quo; Americans don't
We all know congress is doing a dreadful job on behalf of the American people. But one group thinks they're doing great: the big money special interest donors who continue to support the status quo every election cycle
because they're getting exactly what they pay for! A congress acting in THEIR best interests, not representing the American people.
Currently 42% of Americans identify themselves as Independents and it shows there is a major out-migration from the major political parties.
Voters want another choice other than choosing between two candidates who are both controlled by special interests, corporations, or wealthy individual donors. It's time for Independents to work together.
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
On Government Reform:
Eliminate earmarks; 3-year federal pay freeze
Cut Deficit Spending- Reduce Congressional/White House budgets 15%
- Congressional pay freeze for 3 years.
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Federal workers/civilian defense workers pay freeze 3 years.
- Sell excess federal property. (Income and reduced maintenance costs.)
- Eliminate ALL earmarks.
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
On Health Care:
Tort reform plus higher deductibles & co-pays
Medicare- Increase cost sharing: Deductible of $500, 20% co-pay with $7,500.00 cap.
- Don't pay hospitals bad debts i.e. for not collecting patient deductibles.
- Restrict first-dollar coverage in supplemental insurance plans.
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Tort reform to stop overuse of diagnostic tests i.e. defensive medicine.
- Statute of limitations on lawsuits
- Creating 'health courts'.
- Consider caps on punitive & non-economic damages.
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
On Health Care:
ObamaCare is the worst bill ever passed by Congress
ObamaCare is a disaster to our health care system. I fully oppose ObamaCare. It is one of the worst, if not the worst, bill ever passed by Congress and signed into law by this president. Even the president knows it's a disaster, as he has changed the
provisions over 25 times. The people of West Virginia need a Senator that will work to help people who have insurance, keep their insurance; those who still need insurance, find a plan and work to keep our doctors seeing patients.
And most of all, lower the cost of health care; unlike this failed plan, which has increased costs beyond what people can afford. Congress should begin by passing Tort reform, freezing reimbursements to health-care providers and removing some
of the more costly provisions currently required in the ObamaCare plans. I am a health-care provider and I understand what it will take to lower health-care costs for the people of West Virginia.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, ZaneLawhorn.com
Jul 27, 2014
On Homeland Security:
Reduce our nuclear warhead stockpile & reduce F-35's
Military- Reduce two front readiness to one and one half.
- Eliminate one leg of our nuclear deterrence.
- Reduce flag ranks dramatically w/ savings into Tricare.
- Reduce our nuclear war head stock pile to around 1500.
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De-commission the USS George Washington and its air wing.
- Reduce to 1400 F-35's and get rid of the F-35B (vertical take off)
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
On Social Security:
Phase in age increase and more realistic CPI
Social Security- No changes for current retirees but would be phased in over 20 years.
- Gradually increase early and full retirement based on life expectancy.
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Increase taxable maximum wage to cover 90% of wages by 2050.
- Use a more realistic CPI.
- Require all new hires after 2022 (state-local) to be under Social Security.
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
On Tax Reform:
Simplify to three tax brackets: 12%, 22%, 28%
Increase income (all money saved shall apply to lowering taxes/deficit)- Three new individual tax brackets: 12% - 22% - 28%
- Corporate tax rate 28%
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Mortgage interest--capped at $500K mortgage, no 2nd homes or equity.
- Eliminate state and local tax deductions.
- Eliminate itemized deductions.
Source: 2014 Montana Senate campaign website, SamRankin.com
Jul 27, 2014
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018