Sam Rankin in State of Montana Archives
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 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
On Abortion:
Pro-choice
Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
A: Pro-choice.
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On Civil Rights:
Supports same-sex marriage
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?
A: Yes.
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On Education:
New reforms to replace No Child Left Behind
Q: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
A: Yes.
Rankin adds, "New reforms are more reasonable than under the old N.C.L.B requirements."
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On Energy & Oil:
Federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions
Q: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?A: No.
Q: Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
A: Yes.
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On Government Reform:
Excessive campaign money is our country's greatest problem
Q: Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
A: Yes.
Rankin adds, "Excessive Campaign Money is our country's greatest problems presently."
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On Gun Control:
Restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns
Q: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
A: Yes.
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On Immigration:
Don't deport illegal immigrants
Q: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?A: No.
Q: Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the
United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
A: Yes.
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On War & Peace:
Timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan
Q: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?A: No.
Q: Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
A: No.
Q: Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
A: No.
Source: Montana Election 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
On Civil Rights:
Phase out affirmative action over 5-year period
I would support a phasing out of affirmative action over a 5 + - year period.
Born in the 60's to redress generations of unfair treatment of minorities and women, its aim was recruiting qualified minorities to give them an opportunity without guaranteeing the results. It is now close to a quota system, which is unacceptable.
Source: 2012 Montana House campaign website, srankin.qwestoffice.net
Oct 14, 2011
On Environment:
We live in cycles with all other systems
We can learn much from Native Americans about Mother Earth. As a biology student and teacher, I understand the cycle we live in with all other systems. There can be no substitute for caution in how we develop our resources. There are many scientific
advances on the horizon that will allow us to reap rewards from our abundant resources and not ruin our precious national environment. We also need to realize that the modern technologies are not labor intensive and that those days will never return.
Therefore, many of the communities impacted by technology should be assisted in making the transition; however, there should be sunset provisions. The environment is more than jobs for extractive industries. It is a valuable economic base which
future generations can use for their livelihood, if it is still here. What we have here in Montana we cannot take for granted, nor can we leave behind people caught in the change.
Source: 2012 Montana House campaign website, srankin.qwestoffice.net
Oct 14, 2011
On Families & Children:
Family is one pillar of society
We need to re-establish the pillars that support a great society. I happen to believe "family" is one of those pillars.
That means encouraging what has been shown to produce a high proportion of productive citizens; intact two-parent (protector or guardian) families.
Source: 2012 Montana House campaign website, srankin.qwestoffice.net
Oct 14, 2011
On Foreign Policy:
Actively engage and assist European nations through NATO
A strong and correct foreign policy depends on a blend of good and clear goals in defense, global trade and in defining our national interest.- We must maintain and keep ahead in programs and products beneficial to
U.S. militarily, i.e. armaments and personnel.
- I support our alliance with Israel and steps to bring a lasting peace to that region; and believe that Palestinians need to have a stronger role in peace negotiations.
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We must actively engage and assist, when appropriate, European nations through NATO.
- We must have an ongoing dialogue with Russia and China regarding nuclear proliferation as we need them in support
of sanctions against Iran for its failure to ratify the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Source: 2012 Montana House campaign website, srankin.qwestoffice.net
Oct 14, 2011
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021