Robert Finley Hyde

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments, including Title X grants. Public funds should not support organizations involved in performing abortions, as many taxpayers have moral and ethical objections to the procedure. Instead, funding should be directed toward healthcare providers that offer essential services without engaging in abortion practices.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards, including in-person consultation with a medical doctor. This ensures that women receive appropriate medical guidance, understand the risks, and can be monitored for any complications. Additionally, requiring reporting on reactions and outcomes is vital to gather accurate data on the safety and long-term effects of these drugs, ensuring that public health is prioritized and potential risks are mitigated.

An elective abortion should be allowed in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at risk.

The federal government has a role in ensuring basic health and safety standards for medical procedures, including abortions. However, I believe the specifics of abortion regulations should largely be left to the states. I would support federal steps that ensure informed consent, safety protocols for chemical abortions, and protections for women in cases of later-term procedures. It's crucial that we allow states to tailor their approaches based on the values and needs of their citizens.

Separation of church and state means that the government should not endorse or impose any specific religion on its citizens, while also ensuring that individuals are free to practice their faith without interference. It’s about maintaining a balance where religious beliefs are respected, but they do not dictate government policy. At the same time, I believe that faith-based organizations play an important role in our communities, and their contributions should be valued.

Disagree

While I believe in the importance of anti-discrimination protections, I also respect individuals' and businesses' rights to practice their religious beliefs. A balance must be struck to ensure that people are not forced to violate their deeply held moral or religious convictions. At the same time, I believe in creating alternatives so that no one is denied essential services, ensuring both freedom and fairness for all.

B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. While we should prioritize America's interests and avoid overextending ourselves, there are strategic situations where supporting democracies and combating tyranny aligns with our values and long-term security. By focusing on selective engagement, we can protect freedom without becoming unnecessarily entangled in conflicts that do not directly impact our national interests.

Strongly Agree

The Chinese Communist Party poses significant threats to the U.S. in military, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and economic domains. China's military expansion, cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure, and rampant intellectual property theft undermine national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, unfair trade practices and global influence through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative further destabilize global markets and challenge U.S. interests.

Yes, the U.S. relationship with Israel is vital due to its strategic role in the Middle East, providing stability in a volatile region. Israel aids in intelligence sharing, military cooperation, and counterterrorism efforts. Economically, Israel's innovation in technology benefits U.S. markets. The alliance also supports shared democratic values and promotes peace and security in the region, strengthening both nations' global influence.

Decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention is caused by several factors, including a strong civilian job market offering competitive salaries, concerns over military lifestyle and frequent deployments, and the physical, mental, and emotional demands of service. Additionally, shifting societal attitudes toward the military, a shrinking pool of eligible recruits due to health and education issues, and challenges in military family support contribute to the retention.

Vaccinations should generally be encouraged, but mandates should only be considered in cases of public health emergencies where the risk to the broader population is severe, such as highly contagious and dangerous diseases.

B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. This approach provides a safety net for those who need it while preserving the freedom for individuals to choose private healthcare if they prefer. It’s important to ensure access to affordable healthcare, but competition in the private sector is also key to improving quality and innovation. A hybrid system respects individual choice and helps control costs.

I would work to lower taxes for middle- and working-class Americans by simplifying the tax code, eliminating unnecessary regulations that burden small businesses, and promoting energy independence to lower utility and fuel costs.

Agree

While I understand the burden of student debt, blanket student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to taxpayers who may have already paid off their loans or chose not to take on debt. Instead, I would focus on solutions that target the root of the problem, such as lowering the cost of education, offering more pathways for skills training, and reforming the student loan system to provide better repayment options. These approaches can help future generations without placing …

No

I disagree with using environmental and social issues, like ESG ratings, as primary criteria for deciding where to invest public monies. Public investments should prioritize financial return, economic growth, and long-term stability, rather than being driven by ideological factors. While environmental and social considerations can be important, investment decisions should focus on maximizing value for taxpayers and ensuring sound economic outcomes over political or social objectives.

Strongly Agree

The U.S. should enhance physical security at the southern border to address illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. Strengthening border infrastructure, including barriers and surveillance technology, would help control the flow of people and goods while ensuring national security. Enhanced security measures should also be paired with comprehensive immigration reform and efficient legal pathways to address root causes and improve border management.

Immigration to the U.S. should prioritize individuals who contribute to the nation's economic, social, and security interests. This includes skilled workers in high-demand fields, entrepreneurs, and those fleeing persecution or violence under asylum laws. Family reunification should also remain a consideration, alongside merit-based immigration. Applicants should undergo thorough vetting for security and health concerns, and immigration laws should ensure fairness, efficiency, and alignment.

Strongly Agree

I strongly support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. These options empower parents to choose the best educational environment for their children, promote competition, and improve the quality of education. School choice also ensures that students from all backgrounds have access to diverse learning opportunities, regardless of their financial situation or location.

Agree

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education to return control to states and local communities. This approach allows for more tailored education policies that meet the specific needs of students and families in each region. Decentralizing education empowers local authorities, promotes innovation, and encourages accountability, ensuring schools are more responsive to their communities while reducing federal overreach and bureaucracy.

Disagree

I disagree with redirecting funds from police departments to community programs. While community programs play an important role, adequately funded police departments are essential for maintaining public safety and law enforcement. Rather than defunding, efforts should focus on improving police training, accountability, and fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and communities. Both public safety and community support can coexist without sacrificing one for the other.

To protect public safety, I believe in enforcing existing gun laws while ensuring responsible gun ownership. Restrictions should include thorough background checks, preventing access for individuals with a history of violent crime or mental illness, and enforcing laws against straw purchases. However, new restrictions should not infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. The focus should be on targeting criminal misuse of firearms, not restricting lawful ownership.

Disagree

I disagree with expanding the number of seats on the Supreme Court. The current structure has maintained balance and stability in the judiciary for over a century. Expanding the Court risks politicizing the institution further and undermining its independence. Instead, we should focus on preserving the integrity of the judicial system and ensuring it remains fair and impartial, without subjecting it to political pressure or manipulation through changes in its composition.

Conservative

Overall, I consider myself Conservative. I believe in limited government, individual responsibility, and free-market principles to drive economic growth. On social issues, I prioritize traditional values, family structure, and religious liberty. In foreign policy, I support a strong national defense and alliances that protect U.S. interests. I also advocate for personal freedoms while maintaining societal order, and believe in policies that balance progress with respect for foundational principl

The general purpose of government is to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, maintain order, and ensure national security. It should provide a framework for justice and uphold the rule of law while promoting conditions for economic prosperity and individual opportunity. The government must also safeguard the nation’s borders, protect life and property, and ensure equal treatment under the law. At its core, government exists to serve the people while respecting personal responsibility

No, I have never been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court.

No, I have never been convicted of a felony.

Strongly Agree

I believe that marriage is a God-ordained, sacred, and legal union. This traditional definition of marriage reflects deeply held religious and cultural values, and I believe no government has the authority to redefine it. Marriage, in this sense, serves as the foundation for family and society, and it is important to uphold this standard for the stability and well-being of future generations.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that children, as the most vulnerable members of society, must be protected from all forms of abuse, including exposure to harmful ideologies, grooming, and irreversible procedures like bodily mutilation. Safeguarding their physical, emotional, and mental well-being is paramount. It is essential to ensure that children are raised in environments that prioritize their development, innocence, and long-term health without undue influence or coercion.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree that taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services. Tax dollars should be prioritized for essential public services like infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Funding controversial procedures such as gender transitions, especially for minors, is not an appropriate use of public money. These decisions should be personal, not taxpayer-funded, and should be left to individuals and families to address privately.

My spiritual beliefs and values are rooted in faith, emphasizing personal responsibility, moral integrity, and the importance of family and community. I believe in the sanctity of life, the traditional family structure, and that faith provides a strong foundation for guiding personal and societal decisions. These values shape my views on policy, with a focus on promoting justice, compassion, and respect for individual freedoms within a moral framework.

Strongly Disagree

I disagree with the idea that people should be able to vote without photo identification. Requiring a valid ID helps ensure the integrity of elections by verifying voter identity, preventing fraud, and building public trust in the electoral process. At the same time, efforts should be made to ensure that obtaining photo identification is accessible and affordable for all eligible voters to avoid disenfranchisement.

Strongly Disagree

I disagree with abolishing the Electoral College. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that all states, regardless of size, have a voice in presidential elections. The system balances the influence of both populous and less-populous states, preventing large urban centers from dominating elections. Abolishing it would undermine the federalist principles of the U.S. and weaken the representation of rural and smaller states in the democratic process.

Strongly Disagree

I disagree with Critical Race Theory's assertion that U.S. institutions are fundamentally racist. While acknowledging that racism has been part of the country's history, I believe that U.S. institutions have evolved to promote equality and justice. Rather than focusing on systemic guilt, we should work to address disparities and foster unity through education, opportunity, and policies that empower individuals of all backgrounds without dividing them based on race.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy spaces designated for biological women, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prisons. These spaces exist to ensure safety, fairness, and privacy for women, and allowing biological males to enter them undermines those protections. Sports should also remain fair and competitive, with respect for the biological differences between men and women.

Disagree

I disagree that man-made climate change requires urgent political action as a global threat. While environmental stewardship is important, the focus should be on balanced, pragmatic solutions that protect both the environment and the economy. Overly drastic political actions can harm industries, jobs, and energy independence. A more measured approach, including innovation in clean energy and conservation efforts, can address environmental concerns without jeopardizing economic growth.

Nuclear energy is the most reliable source to meet growing electricity demand. It provides consistent, large-scale power with low emissions, unlike intermittent sources. Advances in nuclear technology enhance safety and scalability, ensuring future.