Lokesh Kumar of Lansing, 54, an automotive manufacturing business owner living 18 years in district, is running for the U.S. House of Representatives District 8 to protect our values, he said.
“This race is about ordinary Americans taking a stand against career politicians who do nothing for us,” Kumar said. “People want a federal government that works and a better America for our children. Big government has become wasteful and self serving. While the world races ahead, we are going backwards. We cannot go on living like this.”
Top issues include reducing income tax to 15 percent, make government smaller, make more in America to bring back long-term growth and opportunity, reduce cost of healthcare, protect social security; and live and let live.
He would solve these issues by providing leadership and being pro-active.
“Half our income disappears in taxes of all types,” he said. “We need to let tax payers keep more of their hard earned money, by reducing wasteful government projects and balancing the budget. I will actively promote this view and vote on spending bills that meet these criteria.”
Where ever possible, government needs to promote local manufacturing without hurting it, he said.
“I’ll work with manufacturers and township officials to setup manufacturing plants in the district,” he said. “Make it easy and cost effective for manufacturers to operate. Reducing cost of operation and time to market will also allow manufacturers to become viable long-term exporters.”
Also, help reduce cost of operating healthcare by removing costly and protectionist policies for this industry, he said.
“Government needs to be out of primary healthcare, but continue to provide Medicare,” he said. “The healthcare and drug industries need less protectionism, more competition, and easy entry for new players. This will create market potential and result in major savings for consumers. I will work to limit new drug patent duration from 20 years to 5 years, and require unique inventions not minor variants. I will protect social security because it is a contract with the American people.”
His vision is pro-second amendment, no handouts, back to principles, lower taxes, and smaller government.
“I have a lifetime of experience in business, manufacturing, international trade, and making something out of nothing. Most of all I’ll listen to you, and hold quarterly meetings in every county to talk with you in person,” Kumar said. “This year voters have a choice they have not seen in a generation. There is a challenger to an establishment incumbent. The choice is very easy for voters. You can vote for the establishment and be served the same stale dish. Or you can vote for me, someone who stands for values, fresh ideas, and energy to give you the leadership you deserve. In the general election, it will also be very easy for voters. The opposition party is promising free handouts, more laws, and big government to get elected.”
Congressman Mike Bishop, who is running for re-election for District 8, did not respond to questions.
Elected to Congress in 2016, his platform includes tax reform to build jobs and the economy, protecting the Great Lakes, pipeline safety, curbing opioids, improving education through more local control, making college more affordable, defending values including the Second Amendment, pro-life, strong immigration enforcement, and religious freedom, and protecting our kids. He previously served in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives.