1. Raise Taxes on High-Income Earners

When looking at the first 6 tax brackets, there is a major jump every 2 brackets (10% difference between 2 & 3 and 8% difference between 4 & 5). However, for the 7th and top tax bracket, the increase is only 2% from the previous bracket. This is unfair to lower and middle-income families, and creates inequality between classes. Therefore, Andrew Kacala will increase the federal income tax rate for the highest bracket from 37% to 40%. 

2. Legalize Medical and Recreational Marijuana

Andrew will legalize marijuana to protect users and stimulate the economy. Last year, 663,367 Americans were arrested for marijuana-related charges. However, 92% of those arrests were just for possession. These charges can be detrimental, as having a misdemeanor for possession or a felony for selling can prevent individuals from earning jobs. Therefore, anyone with an existing marijuana charge will be pardoned, unless their product was laced. Laced marijuana can be deadly, but if marijuana was legal, it would be regulated and a clean product would be sold. New dispensaries would create many jobs, and a tax on marijuana could help decrease the national debt.

3. Lower the Deficit

The United States debt is almost $23 trillion, which means government spending needs to be lowered. In order to do so, Andrew will make reasonable and necessary changes to national programs. First, the age that an individual can receive Social Security and Medicare benefits will be raised to 67. According to a Gallup poll, Americans between the ages of 50 to 64 years old predicted that they would retire at age 67. The current system means that Americans could be reaping the benefits of social programs without retiring. Also, Andrew would decrease spending on the military by $20 billion. Right now, the United States spends $40 billion more than the next 7 countries combined. While being able to defend ourselves is important, Andrew will lessen the need for military action by having strong relations with other nations.  

4. Protect Our Planet

Earth is in trouble if our leaders do not act quickly. Thankfully, Andrew is willing to collaborate with other countries to prevent climate change. First, Andrew will reverse Donald Trump’s decision to leave the Paris Climate Accords. It is important to work with other European countries, as their methods have been much cleaner than ours. The European Union consists of 28 countries, and yet the United States’ yearly carbon emission is 1.8 billion tons more than the entire EU. Many of our European allies have pledged to cut emissions by 80 to 95% by 2050, and Andrew is willing to invest in renewable energy in order to match their commitment. 

5. End Gun Violence

The United States has 6 times as many mass shootings as the global average by population. America has a mass shooting epidemic, and Andrew is looking to end it. One of the first things our candidate will do in office is ban the sale of all assault rifles. Every law made after this referring to guns will now be made at a national level in order to avoid confusion or loopholes. Also, stricter universal background checks will be required. Anyone on the terrorist watch list or who has been charged with a felony will be denied the right to own a gun. Ammunition will also be regulated, and an individual will be investigated if they buy a suspicious amount of ammunition. Laws and regulations for hunting will be separate.