Protect And Defend Our Freedom

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     The United States Constitution has remained the guiding force behind our country because its framers successfully separated and balanced governmental powers to safeguard the interests of majority rule and minority rights, of liberty and equality, and of the federal and state governments. And while it is an amazing document that was revolutionary for its time, its not perfect and at times it needs to be amended in order to remain relevant to a world that our founders couldn't have imagined. The constitution clearly protects American's rights and freedoms however many legislators in our state and federal government continue to put restrictions on those rights.

    As your State Representative, Jared Polonowski will work to ensure that all of the rights guaranteed to every adult Michigander is protected and not infringed upon. Jared will make it a priority to repeal and/or replace any current legislation that does violate or restrict the rights of our citizens. Jared believes that if a constitutional right or amendment should require restriction then the proper process of amending the constitution should be followed. The Government has an obligation to uphold the constitution and not be working to actively restrict and remove our citizens rights unilaterally.

You can find out more about the constitution here:

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution

     Gun crime and safety is a big, sensitive topic that fuels many debates and arguments in this country and our local communities. There is no doubt that there is an epidemic of crime and deaths involving firearms. Its probably no surprise that the United States has more firearms per resident than any other country in the world. The leading cause in deaths for peoples ages 1-19 is firearms in this country and compared to other nations, the United States leads by a considerable amount. Gun violence is a regular guest on most news programs, with mass shootings on the rise since the year 2000, however the majority of crime and murders are carried out by felons who carry handguns illegally. There are so many questions that we have to ask ourselves. How do we find an effective solution that will make the greatest impact in reducing the number of deaths and crime involving firearms while still preserving the freedom and rights for those own and use a firearm and under what governmental level should this legislation be formulated?

    As your State Representative, Jared Polonowski will work to find effective solutions in reducing the number of deaths and crime involving firearms. Specifically focusing on removing illegal firearms from the hands of felons. Jared believes that firearms are tools and just like motor vehicles require knowledge, training and proficiency in order to safely and effectively use the equipment. Jared also believes that the State of Michigan should not be passing legislation that restricts gun ownership as that is a federally protected right guaranteed by the 2nd amendment of the constitution and that those restrictions would not fall under states rights. It would require an amendment to our United States constitution to legally restrict the sale and possession of firearms. 

    Jared believes that firearms themselves are not a motive for crime and if we want reduce the crime involving firearms then we need to remove the motive and the opportunity for those crimes. This means that we as a community need to work to ensure that everyone in our community has access to good public education, is able to receive a livable wage, has access to quality healthcare, has access to affordable housing, is able to receive the support they need in times of need, and are educated on how to use and operate firearms. Jared will work to ensure that firearm safety is integrated into our public education as a requirement and that training be available for any resident at no cost. Jared will work to ensure that all retailers of firearms and ammunition in the State of Michigan are licensed with the state of Michigan to sell firearms to ensure that all sales are completed properly without discrimination and that purchasers of firearms are not felons and prohibited from owning a firearm.

    What does equality mean? Equality for all means that every citizen is equal in status, rights, and opportunity. It means that the differences among us in race, religion, gender or orientation should not affect or influence our status, rights or opportunity and while we have made great strides towards equality, many still suffer widespread discrimination and violence despite new laws and regulations against it. Racially motivated hate crimes are still on the rise and the link between discrimination and mental health problem including youth suicide has been irrevocably proven. There is some hope as legislators have begun passing legislation that includes protection sexual orientation and identity.

    As your State Representative, Jared Polonowski will work to ensure that all Michiganders have equality under the law. He will work to ensure that people of all races, genders, identities, orientations and religions  are protected. Jared believes that every person deserved to be treated as an equal and should not be subjected to any form of discrimination. 

    Over $2 billion is being spent to keep people behind bars and that's not considering the economic and social impact of having those people in jail and not working or taking care of their families. For many its a downward spiral and being imprisoned is only an opportunity to become more well connected with people who will provide a negative influence and increase their likelihood of becoming a repeat offender. So why do we do it? With all of the information that we have telling us that the prison systems does not rehabilitate or correct behavior why do we continued to utilize this system? And why to we have laws forcing incarceration for crimes that don't hurt anyone else, cause any damage and don't violate anyone else rights? It's time for something to change.

    As your State Representative, Jared Polonowski will work to ensure that we keep non-violent offenders out of our prison systems and decriminalize all drugs. Drugs are an addiction and should be treated as such with proper healthcare and mental health services, not Imprisonment. Jared will also work to ensure that those who are currently serving time for non-violent crimes and who were arrested prior to decriminalization are released from prison and supported as they reenter our communities. Jared believes that people shouldn't be imprisoned for a crime that has yet to happen. Jared also believes that spending $2 billion to keep our citizens imprisoned is a misuse of tax payer money and is completely irresponsible on the part of our legislatures and government. 

    Income is taxed, goods are taxed, services are taxed, alcohol is taxed, gas is taxed, bottles are taxed but not all of them only certain ones and not the ones causing a problem to the environment but other ones and they charge a 10 cent deposit which isn't even worth returning the cans but also you cannot return them all at one place, you have to go to 6 different stores and then all of the machines are broken and wont take the cans back and if the cans are smashed then they also wont take them etc. Our incomes are taxed multiple times over and in ridiculous and costly ways that waste taxpayer money. Our children are taxed even though they lack representation. And while our state income tax is a flat rate, is it really though? Practically everything you buy is taxed another 6% or more so now we are up to a min of 10%. It seems like everywhere you go, there is another tax, another fee and for what? to have people imprisoned, our schools underfunded, our roads falling apart and healthcare people can not afford.

    As your State Representative, Jared Polonowski will work to ensure that every Michigander is not being double taxed and will hold our government and legislators accountable for their actions. Jared will work to ensure that the tax laws are transparent, fair and equal. Jared believes that the income tax is the only legal taxation that the government should be able to implement and that includes corporate income and investment income. Jared believes that our current system is set up to trick the tax payer into funneling money to the government to cover obligations that should have been covered by the income tax that is collected. Things like schools are funded with Property tax and the roads are funded with the gas tax. The Income tax we pay should pay for schools and the roads. Taxing retirees who live on a fixed income and teens who can not vote is wrong and every time they put gas in their car, they are being taxed over and over again. 

    As your State Representative, Jared Polonowski will work to protect the rights of women to their bodily autonomy in regards to reproductive rights. Jared believes that all women have the right to their privacy and to make their own medical decisions with their doctors without intervention or permission from the government or an insurance company. This would include an abortion. As part of Jared's healthcare platform, no matter what choice the woman makes for her treatment, she should receive the best care possible at little to no cost as part of a self funded healthcare system.

    There are over 3100 criminal laws in Michigan, that's not including all of the legislation that is passed supporting those bills and our government functions. Its probably no surprised to anyone that over the past nearly 200 years, the state has most likely accumulated some laws and legislation that is outdated, no enforceable, not effective or may violate individual rights and freedoms.

  As your State Representative Jared will work to identify outdated and ineffective legislation, laws and regulations. Jared will also work to ensure that the laws and regulations are enforceable and reasonable and being used for their intended purposes. Jared believes that our laws and regulations should never violate our individual rights and freedoms, specifically those outlined in the united states constitution. It is not the role of the state government to restrict federally protected rights and freedoms. Legislators have an obligation to protect our freedoms.