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1999,2000,2003 Joseph M. Lenard updated: 10/27/2000
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except where otherwise noted, WebSite contents © 1999,2000,2003 Joseph M. Lenard updated: 10/27/2000
Elect Joseph M. Lenard main page
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES / LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES:
Michigan as the E-Commerce / Internet State
With Delaware known as the "Corporation" State (with Laws/Regulations designed to ease the Incorporation process) and California, as the "High Tech" capital, Michigan shall be the "Internet" State. It is NOT time to Tax the Internet, but to declare it a TAX FREE zone in Michigan and attract Internet related companies, and the infrastructure to operate those businesses. Creating Jobs!
Strengthening Michigan Families
Strengthen/reiterate the importance of Marriage and Family. Do so by revamping, through Law, the Marriage Institution, Divorce, and Child Custody.
Common Sense
Laws and Regulations should be written in a fashion that "We the people" can easily understand them and be CONSTITUTIONAL. New Laws need not be created, when older Laws can be enforced. Older Laws no longer relevant, or enforced, should be retired.
Honesty
A friend once told me: "the sign of a good politician, is one who listens". That seems reasonable on the surface. I contend, however, the sign of a good politician is one that is willing to listen and honestly debate the issues only after stating his/her opinion; rather than allowing them to temper their remarks by allowing them to hear the consensus of opinion and "pander" to the attitude(s) of the audience. We need people with the courage to truthfully face the issues, rather than pandering for votes.
Judicial Reform, Equal Protections, Personal Protection, and Real Justice
Its time to protect and take care of Crime Victims, and punish criminals.
-Some people in our society believe that if you send a Criminal to a Country club atmosphere, they will become rehabilitated. We must reform those who can be reformed and severely punish repeat offenders.
-The Criminals (seemingly) have more rights than any Victim of their crimes. This must change.
-We must be allowed to protect ourselves, rather than continue to become victims to criminals.
Real School Reforms
School Choices (Freedom, what a concept) are essential, and not just for those who can afford it!! Our poorest will benefit the most from choice! NO, to Outcome based Education (except for those who CHOOSE it). YES, to teaching children how to Read, Write, work with Arithmetic, and how to learn for themselves; Research skills are a lost art.
We must fundamentally change the Education system itself before it will improve. Administration costs should be capped at a percentage of a Districts revenues to ensure the money is making it into the Classroom where it belongs. I will fight for our Schools by working for equalized student spending across Districts and more dollars for our Schools, if such "common sense" reforms are a part of such Legislation.
Environment
I believe that there is no-one who would wish to irreparably damage the planet that they, and their children, are living on. We must engage in seeking real scientific data determining environmental impacts and just what the unbiased facts are then balance Conservation, Regulation, and Species coexistence with Employment, Property Rights, and the needs of our civilization.
Less Government Interference In Our Lives
The Government has NO place in the Boardrooms or the Bedrooms. All should be truly free in their Right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" providing they respect the Rights of others. Government Regulation should occur only when Public safety is threatened. I do not believe there is anyone who believes all Regulation should be abolished. We must, however, introduce Common Sense into the Legislation that is introduced and passed, and repeal overburdening Rules.
Electoral Reform
There is concern over the closed Primary system. The Primary's declaration of Party automatically eliminates a Voters ability to cast a ballot in certain races and/or the ability to split ticket vote, that they would otherwise be able to do in a General Election. This practice excludes many who do not hold allegiance to any particular Political Party. This process should be reviewed, with our input!!
Roads
It's simple: FIX THEM!! Eliminate the $ 0.06 per Gallon discount on the purchase of Diesel fuel. Review the efficiency of how we spend our repair money, on a City, County, State, and Federal level.
Balanced Budgets
In our quest to help those who cannot help themselves, we create more who can't survive without assistance due to overburdening Taxes. A Bankrupt Nation, cannot help anyone!! In this time of unprecedented Economic prosperity, we must return as many items that can be funded through the Private sector back to the Private sector and return to the "Charitable society" we once were. It is wrong to extort money from all, for the benefit of the few!
Lower Taxes
It is time for us to look more closely at our Budgets and Taxation, and stop the knee-jerk reaction of answering every question with the answer of more Taxes. Lowering Taxes spurs the economy and thereby increases Government Revenues even at the lower rates. When necessary, fees should be used to fund needed Government services based on those who use them, not the collective body electorate!!!
Campaign Finance Reform
Laws have been increasing at an alarming rate that further exclude political outsiders from entering into the process, which in my opinion is directly the opposite from what should be encouraged. We have passed Term Limits to reduce the likelihood of "career Politicians" who serve their own, rather than their constituents, interests and encourage new people to enter the process. We should encouarge involvement, not discourage it by putting up intimidating barriers.
We must ensure, though, that our Politicians, once elected and/or re-running for office, report their activities and supporters. I support reporting requirements, but also would introduce an amendment to the Law to raise the "waiver" exemption, the threshold which a candidate can raise or spend before the full force of reporting requirements begins, to $5,000 from the current $1,000 level. This will allow, true citizen candidates, those not backed by huge political machines, who don't have legions of volunteers and countless resources to assist in meeting the requirements as incumbents have, an opportunity to challenge the Politically entrenched candidates. Good willed incumbents should not fear such a change, as they should be able to get their message out, but will allow real debates and allow others to begin to participate in the Election process.
Now is NOT the time to create an entitlement for Politicians and a new Tax burden by allowing for Public funding of Elections. This only aids the career Politicians by creating even more power of the local press to elect your officials.
Proposal 1 - Kids First Yes
I support this initiative and I am registered with Kids First Yes as a sponsor of proposal.
We must fundamentally change the Education system itself before it will improve. Administration costs should be capped at a percentage of a Districts revenues to ensure the money is making it into the Classroom where it belongs. I will fight for our Schools by working for equalized student spending across Districts and more dollars for our Schools, if such "common sense" reforms are a part of such Legislatiion.
Continually pouring money in without reform will only result in further wasted dollars.
Visit: Kids First Yes organization for the facts on why you should also support this initiative.
Proposal 2 - Let Local Votes Count - not what it seems...
While a cursory glance makes the language sound positive by requiring a large majority in order to protect your local municipalities, there is something far more sinister underneath the covers.
Proposal 2 will over-turn laws that the Liberals of Detroit and Wayne county don't like, and in my opinion is the real driving force of the Proposal. The language retroactively applies to votes already cast. Does that not make you suspicious? One such item is the $3.28 Telecommunications rate reduction our State Legislature finally returned to us (see: Detroit News - Legistlature passes rate rollback).
Vote NO on 2!
Proposal A - Cultural Tax
Many of us knew this was coming. First was the Stadiums Tax, then the Parks, then this was next on the Liberal Tax and Spenders agenda.
I can best sum this up by sharing with you this letter to the Editor of the Heritage Newspapers, that they won't print!
response to Sunday 10/8 Editorial "Heritage News Editorial: Yes on A"
Typical of Government Bureaucrats to dream up new ways to spend money and excuses to raise Taxes. I say VOTE NO on Proposal A.
As a Candidate for the Michigan House myself I find this continued line of thinking appalling and one of my principle issues, government budget processes that is. I am NOT saying that the money, at least in part, should not be spent. I am, however, sick and tired of this lazy method of funding.
The issue should be thoroughly debated, and if the "0.5 mills, or 50 cents per thousand dollars of taxable value. For example, a resident with a home valued at $150,000 would pay $37.50 per year", as your paper reported it is in the best interest of the communities, then the budget should be trimmed of some of the countless dollars of waste and pet-projects to fund the endeavor. And of course, don't forget that this $37.50 will be on top of your Parks increase, Stadium increase, and the next round of Tax increases they'll be coming at you for (look for Transportation/SEMTA next).
For those with any kind of memory you will recall that we went through this with Proposal P regarding Parks, with many years of cuts and neglects in regard to our Parks, and the only answer the weak minded and budgetary irresponsible officials can come up with is a new Tax. SAD!
Enough is enough, don't people ever learn?
VOTE NO!!! And vote for some NEW BLOOD in our bodies of Government that know how to prioritize and are willing to make appropriate choices over what can/will receive funding and cutting out the other garbage in order to free up the funds to cover the "legitimate" spending items.
Joseph M. Lenard
MI-House District 24 Candidate
See also TaxBill
"Education First", they call it - it is the WCCC Millage INCREASE proposal
I stand firmly against, yet another, Tax increase. It has been clearly demonstrated over the past 25 years that MONEY does not, and will never, solve our Education issues. Be weary of those who are trying to mislead you in that this is a renewal; it is a change in the Taxable amount, and therefore an additional Tax.
We must fundamentally change the Education system itself before it will improve. Continually pouring money in without reform will only result in further wasted dollars.
| See also: | ||
 
| Presidential comparison For a side by side comparison of Bush/Gore visit: clickaction.net-issues |  Other Ballot Races |
|
Democracy-Net Issues online
Michigan Voters Guide responses yet another Survey my opponent didn't answer: MPHA (Mi. Public Health Assoc.) - Questions Responses | ||
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