PLATFORM | Karlen For Missouri

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PLATFORM

"I’m seeking federal office, in particular, because I believe the gerrymandering of Missouri makes it difficult to fix these problems through the state legislature, and requires strong Democratic control of the federal government. I see so much great in Missouri and believe it deserves so much more than the dearth of leadership the modern day Republican Party gives it. "

THE ISSUES

I support efforts to rebuild American family farms so they remain competitive in the global marketplace. To do so, I support investment in services for rural communities; transparency for agricultural foreign ownership and country of origin labeling; and repealing legislation that prevents farmers from growing profitable crops.

Criminal Justice

I support a robust, logical criminal justice system. Crime continues its drop to 30-year lows. We must evaluate our culture of mass incarceration. The system shatters families and communities; disproportionately harms people of color; and does not make us safer. We pay $260 billion a year for this; we can do better.

I support efforts to build a robust, dynamic economy to benefit all Americans. I am in favor of fair wages, strong public investment in infrastructure, and farm subsidies to support American family farms and ensure food security.

Education is a public good. We all benefit when it meets the needs of the community, and we all suffer when it doesn’t. It isn’t the government’s job to make sure everyone succeeds, but to provide the scaffolding to give every child the opportunity to succeed and go on to contribute to their communities and nation.

We must balance short-term economic benefit with long-term stewardship. We want the best for our kids; part of that is not leaving them holding the bag for our actions. Effective stewardship boils down to holding parties responsible for their actions.

Healthcare is a fundamental human right. The US is the only country in the developed world without a system of universal healthcare. It’s time to evaluate our health insurance system’s ability to provide healthcare.

Jobs are a lot more than just a paycheck. They offer dignity, autonomy, purpose, and community. Good jobs not only support families, but also are the way most of us receive our health insurance. Building opportunities with wise investment lifts people out of poverty and keeps money moving through the economy.

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LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. A second class citizen anywhere in the US is a threat to all citizens.

Reproductive Freedom

The government shouldn’t make decisions about your healthcare. Reproductive issues are often discussed as moral and religious issues, rather than the deeply personal individual decisions they actually are. I believe in laws that respect individual conscience and bodily autonomy as human rights.

Second Amendment

I support Americans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms, but I also believe we have a serious gun problem in this country. The continuing rise in gun violence, particularly in our schools, is a humanitarian crisis.

Taxes provide local, state and federal governments with revenue to provide services. Taxes fund roads, bridges, education, law enforcement, fire departments, the military, and more, to make life possible. Our current taxation system is deeply inequitable. Corporations and the wealthy often pay less than everyone else.

Transparency & Ethics

The increased role of money and outsized influence of special interest groups in politics have led to a crisis of confidence in our government and officials. Americans deserve to know the truth about who represents them, where their loyalties lie, and whether constituent interests are truly driving their decision making.

We owe no greater debt than to our military service members who sacrifice their safety, health, and lives to ensure our freedoms and ways of life. We will never fully repay what we owe these brave men and women, but we must be proactive in providing quality care and service for them in their post-military lives.

I support the right of every eligible American citizen to vote. Free, fair, transparent elections are a cornerstone of trust in the process, and an attack on anyone’s right to vote is an attack on everyone’s right to vote.

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