The Process: Vetting Questions

From January through April of 2009, our members developed the questions that comprise the vetting questions for the 2010 election cycle.  For future elections, our members will be able to add, subtract, clarify, or otherwise edit these vetting questions during an on-line convention held in January-February of all odd years.  For 2010, there were 80 questions under five categories and 10 principles.  All questions are Yes or No. 2011 the Federal Questionnaire was reviewed and through input from the iCaucus delegates and CQQ review team, they have been revised.  There are 50 questions broken into 7 Sections and 10 principles.

Section 1:  Proper Roll of Government and National Sovereignty

Section 2: Congressional Transparency & Code of Ethics

Section 3: Federal Budget Process: (The Unified Fixed-Pie Budget) pt I

                     Federal Budget Process: (The Unified Fixed-Pie Budget) pt. II

                     Federal Budget Process: (The Unified Fixed-Pie Budget) pt. III

                     Federal Budget Process: (The Unified Fixed-Pie Budget) pt. IV

Section 4: Earmark Process Reforms pt. I

                     Earmark Process Reforms pt. II

Section 5: Federal Taxation Policy

Section 6: The Rule of Law and the Right to Contract

Section 7: Personal Character and Standards

Sample Questions:

Although for security purposes, the full questionnaires are not available to the public, below you will find sample questions from 2010 & 2012.  In addition, you will find some samples of the state level candidate questions which are separate from those candidates running for Federal level offices.

Examples of Federal Vetting Questions

2010 Questions:

1. Do you fully understand and agree that the 10th amendment limits the Federal Government to the *30 enumerated powers that are specified in the Constitution? (*Note: Twenty specifics powers are enumerated inArticle I, section 8 and the balance are found listed in various sections throughout the rest of the Constitution.) Yes /No _____

2. Do you commit to oppose any legislation or treaties which would do one or more of the following: Limit the sovereignty of the United States, Violate the rights of the People as spelled out in the Bill of Rights, and/or any treaties that would have the effect of creating laws which are applied to the people directly instead of to the government? Yes/No ______

3. The 2nd point in the “Code of Ethics for U.S. Government Service”, adopted on July 11th, 1958 by the U.S.House of Representatives with the Senate concurring; stipulates that any person in government service should “Uphold the Constitution, laws, and legal regulations of the United States and of all governments therein and never be a party to their evasion.” Therefore, in regards specifically to all existing Federal Immigration laws, do you commit to upholdthe Constitution, laws, and legal regulations of the United States and of all governments therein andnever be a party to their evasion; including full funding and completion of all legislated border security? Yes/No _____

2012 Questions:
1. Do you commit to work to pass legislation to uphold the right of individuals to join or not to join aunion without affecting their ability to secure a job with the employer encumbered by such a union? Yes / No / Need Further Clarification _____

2. Do you commit to support legislation that would eliminate all GSEs; which would include theestablishment of a date beyond which no further GSE loan guarantees will be issued or honored bygovernment; which will effectively allow the “secondary mortgage” market to go fully private? Yes /No / Need Further Clarification _____

Examples of State Vetting Questions

2012 General State Questions:
1. Do you commit to promote the proposition that states are sovereign entities and not wards of, or subservient to, the federal government?
Yes / No / Need Further Clarification

2. Do you commit to oppose and vote against any proposed legislation that contains unauthorized  provision, based on the State and Federal Constitution, which increases spending while there is a State deficit?
Yes / No / Need Further Clarification

2012 State Specific Questions (examples only, not all inclusive):

1.  CA - Would you support cutting the public funding to agencies such as ACORN, Sierra Club,etc?  Yes/No/Need Further Clarification

2.  NC - Do you commit to support legislation that establishes that “All goods produced or manufactured, whether commercially or privately, within the boundaries of North Carolina that are held, maintained, or retained within the boundaries of North Carolina shall not be deemed to have traveled in interstate commerce and shall not be subject to federal law, federal regulation, or the authority of the Congress of the United States under its constitutional power to "regulate commerce”?  Yes/No/Need Further Clarification

3.  MI - As energy production and consumption is recognized as the engine of our economic system; will you commit to support proposals that will encourage development of our states natural resources, promote the creation of new energy producing facilities and economically viable technologies, and lessen the regulations that inhibit these types of activities? Yes/No/Need Further Clarification