so you're not into politics...

I get it. Really. It's hard to feel as though your vote matters or even counts. Accusations about election interference and hacking. General distrust of politicians. "Nothing ever changes or gets better for me" "All they care about is themselves and their rich friends" and "why can't we just let people live and keep the government out of every corner of our life" 

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I've heard all of those. 

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You and I can't afford a ticket to the billionaire's ball. Heck, it's hard enough affording day to day necessities. Utility costs keep climbing because of "increased demand" passing the increased costs of servicing commercial and industrial projects, like data centers, on to the residential customer. 

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Politics touch almost every aspect of our lives in one way or another. Healthcare, education, financial safety and security, and yes, even the second amendment, all connected to politics.

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Current policies have made affordability, access to healthcare and mental health services, education, how we choose to raise our families and how we decide who our family consists of are all subject to the whims of government. 

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If only the government was half as transparent as it should be.

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If you have never voted before and are not registered to vote, I have included a link below with that information. I have also included a couple of online tests that show you where you fall on the political spectrum. 

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If you came here looking for a list of campaign promises, you won't find that here. Any legislation that a candidate wishes to propose has to have support from other legislators to get any traction and make things happen (this is why you don't hear federal representatives discussing term limits or rules on investing in companies they control legislation over)

Instead, I have a list of issues that need attention.

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• Healthcare- this includes access to mental health services, specialty care services, prescription access and costs. Patient/caregiver ratios, shift mandates, education, training and licensing of providers are also in serious need of attention. Every single aspect of healthcare needs our attention.

• Senior Citizen issues including accessibility, affordability, safety and security. From protection from financial scams to maintaining their rights and dignity in their later years, entrusting seniors and their support network to make the best decisions for each individual, knowing that each individual has their own set of strengths and challenges, and that no one is going to know better than themselves and their caregivers what is going to be best for their long term quality of life. Aging in place and making it possible for family to take the time necessary to provide that care when they are willing and able to do so.

• Data Centers. Increased demand for utilities are driving up costs for residential customers.  The net benefit to a community just isn't there with too few permanent jobs being created while costing the community valuable resources.

• Common sense leadership and transparency. our Governor and Legislature should be subject to FOIA requests. Big Money doesn't belong in government. Backroom deals and divisive politics have forgotten that the government is supposed to represent ALL the people.

• Securing our Constitutional Rights- we need to make sure that as a state we guarantee that citizens of our state's rights are defended, protected, and guaranteed under our state constitution. 

• Defend American Agriculture by giving farmers more control of their way of life. The economic security of our Michigan farmers should not be dependent on the ill informed decisions of someone who has no knowledge of what day to day decisions our hard working farmers face to keep food on our tables. We need to protect our family farms before they are a thing of the past.

I could keep going. There's no shortage of issues that need attention. Fortunately, in the senate, there are 4 year terms, allowing for there to be time to focus on enacting meaningful legislation, rather than having to be concerned with a looming election every other year. ​

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I want you to be able to raise your children as you see fit (within reason...we all know someone who pushes the boundaries of what is ok) I want you to decide for yourself what that family looks like and who it consists of. I want you to have jobs that pay decently, not just get by, deciding which bill doesn't get paid this week. I want you to be able to put food on the table and a roof over your head, while being able to put something aside for the inevitable emergencies that life throws at us. I want you to be able to pursue your education or vocation and get ahead in life.

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What I want most of all, is for you to vote. 

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Check out the links below.

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email me if you have questions or see me somewhere on the campaign trail. 

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Thank you for taking the time to read this far~

April Osentoski

Candidate for Michigan State Senate

25th District

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