This is not exactly the list I saw, but since we are talking politics it might be useful to know how this progressive thinks.
As for Brat, when I look down his list of policy positions I personally am against almost every frickin one of them. But as long as he means what he says and executes on it in terms of fighting crony capitalism, I'm delighted to see him in the federal govt. Seems to me that 'tea party' folks at least as prone than anyone to get sucked in to the game. OTOH, I know nothing about Amash positions other than that he is on the right side of the domestic spying issue and fighting the good fight. Even if he is wrong on everything else, his activities in this one area are worth it to me.
Dude, here's Brat's Issues section
Issues
Obamacare
Obamacare has proven to be an economically disastrous law and an unconstitutional power grab by our Federal Government. The government cannot and should not be permitted to run and regulate nearly 20% of our nation’s economy. We must restore the relationship between doctor and patient. We must restore the relationship between price and service in medicine or we will continue on the Road to Serfdom. I support a plan to defund the law and replace it with free-market solutions that lower costs, improve quality, and increase access to care.
I want full single payer and no private insurance companies which I see as parasitic and harmful since they make a profit by charging more for less. A public option would be better than nothing which is what Obamacare is.
Fiscal Responsibility
Our national debt has skyrocketed, reaching over $17 trillion dollars. What our leaders in Washington fail to mention is the $127 Trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities (see U.S. Debt Clock). This lack of leadership on both sides of the aisle threatens our nation’s stability and long term growth and forces an undue burden on our children and grandchildren. We must balance the federal budget by reducing spending. I will support a balanced budget amendment which will force Congress to reign in the out of control federal spending and to restore confidence in the American economy.
Fiat systems dig a hole until it collapses. Not sustainable. Trying to make is sustainable is pissing into the wind. Get worthwhile shit (e.g., enduring infrastructure and general quality of life) out of the system then try to make the re-set as painless as possible for normal people.
Immigration
When addressing the issue of immigration, we must start by securing our border. An open border is both a national security threat and an economic threat that our country cannot ignore. I reject any proposal that grants amnesty and undermines the fundamental rule of law. Adding millions of workers to the labor market will force wages to fall and jobs to be lost. I support proposals that will secure our border, enforce our current laws, and restore an orderly and fair process to allow law abiding individuals to work towards becoming citizens of this great nation.
I think we should make a decent place to live where people wish to come, then raid the rest of the world for tallant. Basically incorporate them into the gene pool. Decent work ethics and the like only last a few generations before regression to the mean takes it's toll, so it should be an ongoing process.
Term Limits
I am a strong proponent of term limits for members of Congress. Career politicians and special moneyed interests have corrupted our democratic system. I pledge to support and submit legislation that enforces term limits. Ideally, Congressional term limits would be for 12 years total, across both The House and The Senate. Thus, I pledge to term limit myself to 12 years in Congress.
I would like to see dedicated career politicians and pay them well, but also see them with no real privacy and very limited ability to capitalize on their authorities. Term limits just provides a revolving door for crony capatilism to thrive.
2nd Amendment
I will oppose any efforts to undermine or limit the Constitutional right to bear arms.
I am a strong supporter of gun rights. The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution for a reason - it provides the people with the ultimate guarantee of sovereignty. I will oppose any back door attempts to confiscate guns or create a national gun registry. All too frequently the knee jerk reaction to tragedies by the media and chattering class is to move to restrict our rights. In Congress, I will be a steady and firm supporter of our 2nd amendment rights at all times - not just when it is convenient. Our founding documents make it clear that our inalienable rights come from God and that the job of the government is to ensure and protect those God given rights. I intend to keep it that way.
Agree.
Education
As an economist and educator for eighteen years, I understand the value of a good education. This is why I oppose top down approaches by the Federal Government such as Common Core and No Child Left Behind. I will support efforts to place Virginia’s teachers, parents, and local officials, who best understand the needs of the community, in control of our education system.
I think our education system problems are due in large part to the attitudes that most people have about knowlege and education. Priorities and expectations. I think private schools mostly provoke a stratification of society. I believe that our school systems should put people in tracks sooner. By 6th grade it is easy enough to see who is and is not going to become a rocket scientist.
National Security/Foreign Policy
Ronald Reagan said it best: “Peace through strength.” A strong military is essential to the success of our nation. We must secure our borders, support the Armed Forces, both at home and abroad, and maintain a strong national defense in order to secure our country’s future. In addition, I support a full investigation into the Benghazi attacks.
We've got nukes so we are strong enough to defend our borders. More strength than that tempts us to do bad things and is a wast of money. Benghazi is just a foot in the door for impeachement, but nobody has the balls to follow through and it is more and more pointless.
Federal Reserve
I support a full audit of the Federal Reserve System.
Presumably as a step toward killing it. If so, I agree (with the caveat that it should be part of a controlled demo and reset of our monetary system.)
Energy
I support a broad-spectrum energy approach that relies on the free market. The private sector must be set free to invest in natural gas, wind, solar, oil, nuclear, and other forms of energy as we move forward. Ending our reliance on foreign oil and moving toward energy independence is vital to the future welfare of America.
Most of these guys want to sell the natural resource that should belong to all of us to their corporate sponsers to privatize the profits and socialize the losses. If Brat does not, and if he treats the countries natural resources as an asset which belongs to all of us, I'll agree with him. When people say 'free market' they usually don't mean that.
10th Amendment
The federal government has grown far too large. Our Founders envisioned a nation in which the federal government’s powers were explicitly listed and limited. I fully support the Constitution and enforcing the 10th Amendment and getting the government out of the way of economic growth. I will work to bring power back to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Usually code for de-regulating which usually leads to disaster for all but a handful of corporate types. I see plenty of areas where the Federal govt is most well situated to provide regulation and oversight. As long as it is not under a system of crony capitalism I've got no real problem with it.
Individual Freedoms
The federal government’s abuse of our freedoms has spun out of control. Whether it is the NSA violating our 4th Amendment Rights by collecting phone records, the IRS violating our 1st Amendment rights by targeting conservative organizations, or President Obama violating our 5th Amendment rights with the indefinite detention of American citizens, our freedoms have been under attack and they must be restored.
Agree.
Uphold Human Life
Human life is sacred, as proclaimed by our founding documents, and I will always support laws that protect life. Our fundamental rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness precede the existence of government and come from God, the Author of Nature. These core constitutional rights have been usurped by the Judicial and Executive Branches and must be returned to the people and their representatives.
Major Fail. I'm s staunch supporter of separation of church and state. I'm also an athiest and have no interest whatsoever in having anyone's religion rammed down my throat. Or even influencing me in any tangible way good or bad.
There's nothing there that I disagree w/. If we had more of these kinds of republicans in Congress and in the Big House, America would have a very different reputation than it does now. He'll be real tight w/ Amash on damn near every issue. I can't overstate how great of a win this was but now we gotta double down for the General election. Ya can't just be pro-freedom on one good issue to be acceptable or better for America. The message this sent was deafening and embarrassing to those that have been ripping us off for decades all the while campaigning like conservatives. I'm happy some of the people in the GOP are starting to see through this.
