We need to return control of the schools to local citizens. Many times state and federal mandates are unfunded and this can cause problems for local school districts. Lowering state and federal taxes will allow the local citizens to keep their money instead of funneling it through state and federal agencies so it may be used in the local school districts accordingly to their needs. Families choosing to send their children to private schools should not be required to pay public school taxes. School vouchers will alleviate the funding problem by allowing the schools to receive money for the students that attend that school. It also provides incentive to improving the quality of education in schools, and creating greater diversity within the school systems. With vouchers, the local people will have more control, provided that the government does not mandate the educational program.

ECONOMY

We need to make a more business friendly environment in Michigan. We can make Michigan attractive to business by lowering taxes, becoming a 'Right to Work' state, and cutting government regulation. In the 2008 Progress Report of Michigan at www.michiganfuture.org, it is stated that “high education attainment industries accounted for 75% of the job growth in America from 2001-2005”. In order for Michigan to compete in the job market and increase the success of our economy, we need to transition from the manufacturing economy to a knowledge-based economy by attracting talent and increasing the proportion of college educated adults. The large hold of the unions, who once had their time of importance, are now restricting the educated growth our state needs to improve our economy. Our economy is a cyclic system that is slow to move on to the next cycle. Letting go of the way we used to do business will allow a greater success at developing new knowledge-based businesses. Moving into the next economy cycle will “jump start” the Michigan economy and create more jobs, attracting more talent, and grow our economy.

HEALTH CARE 

Problem with healthcare is the government mandating to insurance companies what they should cover. By doing that, people’s individual choices are taken away from them. A better system would be to have medical savings accounts where individuals can put in $5000 for individual, or $10,000 for family per year. You would be able to save your money from year to year and take out what you need to use for medical expenditures, tax free. The money you’re currently paying, and/or your company is paying, is anywhere from $10 thousand to $15 thousand per year for premiums. Your company, or you if your company doesn’t provide this benefit, can place up to $5000 per year into the medical savings account for you to purchase your own insurance with a $5000 deductible, or pay your medical bills and purchasing only a catastrophic insurance. You can roll it over from year to year which will allow for a larger savings for a later time when you may have more medical bills.

The reason health insurance is so expensive is because instead of being insurance in case of a major health problem, it is being used to pay for everyday sniffles that don’t really require a medical professional. Personal education in simple health issues, or paying for the minor office visit if you elect to see a general practitioner, would help lower the insurance premiums by not covering them through insurance.

ENVIRONMENT

Since Michigan relies heavily on its natural environment for business and tourism, we need to take care of our environment. But government mandated actions are not always the correct way to make people responsible. Businesses will become environmentally responsible when it is viable to the business for competition. People want to protect their natural environment and participate in activities that enhance our natural environment. Business owners already desire to do what it good for the environment and for the people, but many times it becomes too heavily burdened when the government starts mandating the actions of the businesses. Nobody wants dirty water to drink, and dirty air to breathe.  Allowing businesses and individuals the freedom to enact and participate in recycling programs and being responsible citizens without the increase of taxes will improve our natural environment. Programs such as the MDOT Adopt-A-Highway program, Home Depot’s CFL’s free recycling collections, and a variety of businesses environmental awareness programs that educate people about environmental responsibility do far more benefit than government mandated laws.

FAMILY RELATED ISSUES 

The following statements provide a quick view of Marc Tonnemacher's stand on family related issues. If you would like to know more in depth information, please contact us and we can provide extensive information on each area.

- Advance Ethical and Effective Stem Cell Research and Prevent the Exploitation of Women

- Protect Children and the Public from Pornography and Media Indecency

- Make Family-Friendly Tax Cuts Permanent

- Eliminate Marriage Penalties in Federal Law

- End Forced Taxpayer Subsidization of Abortion and Abortion Providers