Terri Lynn Land in Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites

On Education: Local funding and local control of schools

Back to school season is already upon us. I'm a mom, and the thing that was always on top of my mind this time of year was making sure my kids were getting a good education.

A bedrock principle of America's education system is local funding and local control of schools, that means putting Michigan first, not Washington. I support ending the Washington-imposed standards on local schools in Common Core and returning the power to our teachers, local communities and parents.

I believe Michigan moms, dads and teachers know what's best for our kids, not Washington insiders. We need more state and local control of education, rather than the one-size-fits-all, top-down approach of the Obama Administration.

What's best for Chicago is not what's best for Cheboygan. By returning control to local communities, we will put Michigan First and ensure a stronger education for our children that will prepare them for the future.

On Free Trade: Free trade agreements only with reciprocal market access

Current Trade Negotiations:
• Finalize U.S.-European free trade agreement (FTA): Trade agreements that are reciprocal, such as the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), should become a high priority. Once the respective standards have been harmonized, trade agreements that open up new markets for American-made products on equal terms should be implemented promptly.
• Rewrite U.S.-Asian free trade agreement: Unless major changes are made to ensure reciprocal market access in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), this FTA should not move forward. Unlike in the past, the U.S. should walk away from bad trade deals.

On Immigration: No amnesty; seal the border; more H-1B visas

My Michigan First Plan for Immigration:
• Secure the Border: The US-Mexico border should be effectively sealed with a combination of fencing, more US Border Patrol agents and new, high-tech monitoring devices.
• No Amnesty: The US should not give amnesty to illegal immigrants.
• Modernize Visa Tracking: This is a data problem, and we have the technology to fix it.
• Increase High-Tech Visas: The H-1B visa program needs to be modernized so that we can add more highly skilled workers.
• Update Green Card Program: Our industrialized allies have made employer-based immigration a high priority and America should do the same.
• Shorten Wait Times: A better legal immigration system rewards people for playing by the rules and discourages people from trying to enter the US illegally.
• Employer Verification: We need to make sure our businesses have the tools they need to effectively verify the status of employees.

On Corporations: Government compliance is too large burden on small business

Talk to any business owner and he or she will tell you that dealing with the government, including trying to fill out stacks of government paperwork, is far too time-consuming--and in business, time is money. The reality is that government is too large, too intrusive & too demanding. Government compliance is placing a larger and larger burden on Michigan's families and small businesses.

When I served as Michigan's Secretary of State, my staff and I focused on customer service. We worked really hard to develop and implement common sense government reforms. We also found ways to work together with business, so that they could also provide better customer services to their customers because of improved interactions with the Secretary of State.

On Energy & Oil: All-of-the-above energy policy, including Keystone

Terri's Solutions:
• Respect the Environment: I support broad-based energy production but that production must protect our state's natural resources.
• Domestic Energy Sources: I support an "all of the above" energy policy. We should look for abundant and more diverse sources of energy right here in the US. I am in favor of the safe production and use of natural gas, oil, coal, nuclear, solar, wind and bio fuels. We should expand domestic production of all of these sources of energy.
• Energy Diversity: I support construction of the "Keystone" pipeline from Canada to the US so our country can use oil produced in North America rather than the Middle East. I also support looking at importing energy from our other allies. Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, www.TerriLynnLand.com Jan 20, 2014

  On Environment: As a conservative, I believe in conservation

  Many people incorrectly believe that environmental protection and conservation are issues that only the political left cares about. As a conservative, I believe in conservation--whether it is the preservation of our nation's traditions or the protection of our state's natural resources. That is the essence of true conservatism.
  Terri's Solutions:
  • Stop Asian Carp: There are a number of invasive, non-native species, such as Zebra Mussels and Asian Carp, which threaten the ecology of the Great Lakes. I support Congressional action and the Asian Carp Prevention Act.
  • Preserving Fresh Water: The Great Lakes are at very low levels. We have to consider how we can conserve our fresh water resources, while protecting and maintaining our waterways.
  • Protecting State Parks: Michigan's state parks are vital to our economy and the Michigan way of life. I support Governor Snyder's idea of connecting state trails into an integrated system.
  Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, www.TerriLynnLand.com Jan 20, 2014

  On Foreign Policy: America is truly exceptional; but don't always intervene

  The United States is unique. Our country was founded on the idea that each person has certain inalienable rights and that government cannot take those rights away. Our nation has a history of recognizing and protecting freedom, both at home and abroad. America is truly exceptional and our leaders must continue to speak up for freedom around the world.

  At the same time, America must have a foreign policy that serves the interests of our nation and the American people. We do not have the resources, or the inclination, to intervene in every disagreement or skirmish around the world. We need a smart foreign policy that focuses on America's needs first and limits military engagement only to those instances in which we have a clear national security interest at stake.

  Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, www.TerriLynnLand.com Jan 20, 2014

  On Homeland Security: Peace cannot be attained through weakness

  Some politicians in Washington believe that America must appease dictators and international organizations. They would have us weaken our military, enter into treaties that restrict our liberties and which surrender our security and sovereignty with the false hope this might bring peace. History has shown that peace cannot be attained through weakness. These policies would only serve to weaken America. The greatest gains for peace and freedom during our lifetime have occurred when America has held steadfast in our beliefs and stood strong in defending those beliefs.

  We must return to a commonsense foreign policy that puts America's interests first. I believe defending liberty at home and abroad should be the key objective of our foreign policy.

  Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, www.TerriLynnLand.com Jan 20, 2014

  On Homeland Security: Focus on rebuilding US first, then national security abroad

  There are several important aspects of my foreign policy proposals, all of which strive to keep us safe at home and promote our democratic values abroad.
  Terri's Solutions:
  • America's Interests First: Our foreign policy must be based on serving American interests. We should focus on rebuilding America first and foremost. Our involvement in other countries should be limited to those instances where our national security interests are at stake.
  • Commit to Our Allies: Our leaders in Washington have spent the past several years trying to make friends with our enemies while ignoring our allies. This makes no sense. We need to demonstrate to our historic allies that our commitment to freedom is as strong as ever.
  • Get America's Economy Back on Track: Simply put, the United States cannot afford to lose economic power. Prioritizing our economy serves our national security interests and will allow us to fund the military we need.
  Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, www.TerriLynnLand.com Jan 20, 2014

  On Tax Reform: Make tax code simple, fair, and less bureaucratic

  Our nation's tax laws are too complex. It's 76,000 pages! Not to mention the 11,000 pages of new taxes [from] ObamaCare. Too often, Congress uses special tax breaks to create winners and losers. The winners are the special-interests and the losers are average Americans.
  Terri's Solutions:
  • Fair: The tax code is inherently unfair and it rewards special-interest groups. We should increase fairness by eliminating special carve-outs and exemptions. I would also support lower overall tax rates.
  • Simple: The tax code is more than 4 million words. I will prioritize simplifying the tax code and eliminating redundancies and discrepancies in the code, as well the incomprehensible rules and regulations that weigh down on small businesses.
  • Less Bureaucracy: The IRS today is a sprawling bureaucratic agency that has control of too many aspects of our personal information and business records. Because my plan will produce a less complex tax code, we will be able to scale back the IRS.
  Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, www.TerriLynnLand.com Jan 20, 2014

  On Civil Rights: Supports MI Protection & Advocacy Services (pro-disabilty)

  Heavy involvement with community organizations is also one of Secretary Land's hallmarks. She is active with several groups at the local, regional and state levels. She currently serves as a Board Member for Gift of Life of Michigan, on the Board of Directors of Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc., and as a Commissioner on the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Board. Source: 2014 Senate Campaign website, terrilynnland.com, "Bio" Sep 5, 2013

  On Technology: Improve state customer service via technology & innovation

  Terri Lynn Land served two terms as Michigan's 41st Secretary of State, from 2003 to 2010, [focusing on] improving customer service for the taxpayers. Ensuring quality customer service through efficiency, innovation and technology drove Land's agenda as Secretary of State. Accomplishments include expanding online service options, revolutionizing the branch office structure to create shorter lines for customers and implementing more secure and accurate election equipment across the state. Source: 2014 Senate Campaign website, terrilynnland.com, "Bio" Sep 5, 2013

  The above quotations are from Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites. Click here for other excerpts from Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites. Click here for other excerpts by Terri Lynn Land. Click here for a profile of Terri Lynn Land.
  Terri Lynn Land on other issues:
  Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare
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  Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018