James Coleman
Town Hall Debate Questions
Economy:
1. As of January 9th, 2019, the National Debt total comes up at about $21.9 trillion. What programs do you plan to take money from, or cut completely, to relieve America of some of the debt? Do you plan on increasing the amount of money for some programs? Will you keep everything the same and raise taxes?
2. The unemployment rate currently is 3.7%. How to you plan to decrease this number? Will you need to raise taxes?
3.The most money that goes to the government is from tax-paying citizens. Do you believe that raising the tax rate will help alleviate the national debt?
4.In 2001, our National Defense Budget was $280 billion dollars. It is now around $700 billion. Do you think it is necessary to raise this budget or decrease it?
5. About 45 percent of Americans think taxes are too high. Do you plan on increasing the taxes even though many Americans find it controversial?
Education:
1. Most schools in America use standardized testing and Common Core learning. Do you think that common core testing is efficient in schools? What other strategies do you think could better the future of America?
2.83% of Americans do not believe that they can afford college, which can sometimes lead to them not going at all. How do you plan to help these prospective students go to college?
3. In 2018 alone, there have been 24 school shootings with injuries or deaths. How do you plan to make sure that schools are safe spaces for students?
4. The United States ranks seventeenth out of forty countries in education. Why do you think we are not number one in education and what are you going to do to make sure that we move up in ranking?
5. About 84% of students in the United States graduate high school. While this may seem like a big number, this still leaves 16% of students without a high school degree. How do you plan to decrease this number?
Foreign Policy:
1. Taxpayers have spent over $250 billion on the War in Afghanistan, the war without a tangible end. Do you believe that spending that much money was worth it? If not, what would you have spent that money on?
2. A major terrorist attack happened on September 11, 2001.How are you planning on ensuring that America is safe, if there is a terrorist attack on American soil?
3. There have been many attacks done by ISIS in the past years and, to many Americans, are a real threat. What is your preferred strategy for dealing with ISIS? Why do you think your preferred strategy is the best way to go about dealing with ISIS?
4. We are approaching the 17th year of our involvement in Afghanistan. While the combat mission may be over, the U.S. continues to work to stabilize the region and fight terrorism. Do you believe it is necessary to keep fighting, or should we stop fighting?
5. About 18 veterans commit suicide everyday. When we are at war, what precautions will you take to try to prevent this from occurring?
1. As of January 9th, 2019, the National Debt total comes up at about $21.9 trillion. What programs do you plan to take money from, or cut completely, to relieve America of some of the debt? Do you plan on increasing the amount of money for some programs? Will you keep everything the same and raise taxes?
2. The unemployment rate currently is 3.7%. How to you plan to decrease this number? Will you need to raise taxes?
3.The most money that goes to the government is from tax-paying citizens. Do you believe that raising the tax rate will help alleviate the national debt?
4.In 2001, our National Defense Budget was $280 billion dollars. It is now around $700 billion. Do you think it is necessary to raise this budget or decrease it?
5. About 45 percent of Americans think taxes are too high. Do you plan on increasing the taxes even though many Americans find it controversial?
Education:
1. Most schools in America use standardized testing and Common Core learning. Do you think that common core testing is efficient in schools? What other strategies do you think could better the future of America?
2.83% of Americans do not believe that they can afford college, which can sometimes lead to them not going at all. How do you plan to help these prospective students go to college?
3. In 2018 alone, there have been 24 school shootings with injuries or deaths. How do you plan to make sure that schools are safe spaces for students?
4. The United States ranks seventeenth out of forty countries in education. Why do you think we are not number one in education and what are you going to do to make sure that we move up in ranking?
5. About 84% of students in the United States graduate high school. While this may seem like a big number, this still leaves 16% of students without a high school degree. How do you plan to decrease this number?
Foreign Policy:
1. Taxpayers have spent over $250 billion on the War in Afghanistan, the war without a tangible end. Do you believe that spending that much money was worth it? If not, what would you have spent that money on?
2. A major terrorist attack happened on September 11, 2001.How are you planning on ensuring that America is safe, if there is a terrorist attack on American soil?
3. There have been many attacks done by ISIS in the past years and, to many Americans, are a real threat. What is your preferred strategy for dealing with ISIS? Why do you think your preferred strategy is the best way to go about dealing with ISIS?
4. We are approaching the 17th year of our involvement in Afghanistan. While the combat mission may be over, the U.S. continues to work to stabilize the region and fight terrorism. Do you believe it is necessary to keep fighting, or should we stop fighting?
5. About 18 veterans commit suicide everyday. When we are at war, what precautions will you take to try to prevent this from occurring?