Michelle Gregoire describes herself as an average person, upset about what’s going on in Michigan.
The 25 year old mother of three moved to Michigan with her husband three years ago. Gregoire is the Libertarian candidate in the 62nd state House district, which includes Battle Creek, Albion, Springfield and several of the surrounding townships in Calhoun County. She sat down with WMUK's Gordon Evans to discuss a wide array of issues.
Health Care
Gregoire says the $700 fine levied against her for not having health insurance prompted her to run for state House. She can’t afford health insurance, and says she will face more fines. Gregoire asks what good it does to have a Republican House, Senate and governor in Michigan and still have problems with the Affordable Care Act.
Although it’s a federal law covering health insurance, Gregoire says the 10th amendment should give state law supremacy over federal law. Asked how she would get a judge to rule that way, Gregoire says “I’ll find a way.”
Gregoire says she would like more private options for insurance. She says government mandates have driven up the price and restricted access. Gregoire says allow the sale of insurance across state lines would give people more options and competition.
Local government funding
A lawsuit filed recently says the state is short changing local units of government. Gregoire says she agrees, and says the state can find more money by cutting what it gives out in “corporate welfare.”
Guns
Gregoire says she would like Michigan to be a “Constitutional Carry state” where if you have a pistol, you don’t need a permit. She says the majority of crimes are committed with unregistered handguns, and criminals don’t follow the law. Gregoire says she recently bought a gun for the first time. She attends Kellogg Community College, which is a gun free zone. Gregoire says she doesn’t think it makes sense for her to have to lock her gun in her car, when police response time is about ten minutes on average.
LGBT Discrimination
Gregoire says there shouldn’t be discrimination against anyone. She would favor extending protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Marijuana
Michigan voters won’t get a chance to vote this year on a proposal to legalize marijuana. Gregoire says she favors legalizing marijuana, but don’t want to see it over-taxed.
Libertarian Party
Gregoire says she urges people can vote their conscience. She says the Libertarian candidate for President Gary Johnson probably won’t win. Gregoire says she will work against anything she believes violates the Constitution regardless of who is in office.
Discussion of other issues can be heard in the extended version of the interview.
Flint
Gregoire says she wants to know how Flint could happen to thousands of people. She says the government took too long to respond. While Gregoire wants a small government, she acknowledges the need for certain regulations. Gregoire calls Flint a failure on all levels.
Roads
Gregoire says she wants infrastructure more privatized, and handled by local governments, rather than at the state level. She says the state should also explore possibly cheaper alternatives such as hemp concrete.
Money
Asked about the influence of money in politics, Gregoire says she favors more transparency She says voters should know where money is coming from. Gregoire says if there is more transparency, than the need for restrictions on contributions wouldn’t be as great.
