Iowans, give freedom a chance

I hear politicians in Iowa pay a lot of lip service to “our troops” and our “officers.” However, I feel too much of it is just talk. Memes don’t make some of the hardest state jobs any easier or improve relations between officers and civilians.

I have learned more about Iowans in my last three years working as a correctional officer than I have in my whole life in Iowa. We can do so much to improve relations between officers and civilians and to improve the lives of our state employees and of those in and out of incarceration.

Last year was the deadliest for active-duty law enforcement and corrections in nearly a century, with COVID-19 identified as the leading cause of death for the second year in a row. Other causes of multiple officer deaths were attributed to incidents such as shootings, assaults and Sept. 11-related illness.

We can take action to make our state safer for officers, those suspected of crimes, incarcerated Iowans and civilians. Let’s work to get non-violent offenders out of incarceration and onto better paths. Let’s work to allow those in public safety to focus on helping others and reducing violent crime.

I support HF2404 and HF2405. State Rep. Todd Prichard has worked with victim’s families on these bills in the Iowa House. They would put corrections employees back under the category of public safety, where they belong, and enhance the penalties for assaulting police officers, correctional officers (and other prison employees), firefighters, health care and other occupations spelled out in Iowa law.

I also believe legalizing marijuana and reining in the war on drugs will dramatically improve relations between civilians and law enforcement. The amount of money saved by taxpayers coupled with additional revenue, even at a minimal and measured excise tax, will be significant. Coupled with safe supply, occupational licensing reform and criminal justice reform we can make a huge difference in the lives of many Iowans and allow for many new and exciting business ventures.

Forging a path for community based mental health care and addiction support will save countless lives and save money in numerous ways. Criminal justice reform saves money and maximizes freedom. Far too many people have spent an unjustifiable amount of time in prison due to draconian prison sentences. Sentencing for non-violent offenders should be examined on a case-by-case basis. Distinctions must be allowed for offenders who do not pose a threat to the public.

We could instead implement far more efficient measures that have been more effective at lowering crime, such as restitution, community supervision of offenders, drug treatment programs, special drug courts and abolishing drug-related mandatory minimums. Michigan and Texas have implemented several related policies worth looking at. Not only have they saved billions of taxpayer dollars, but the incarceration and crime rate have fallen faster than the national average. I am out here talking with Iowans, once again asking them to give freedom a chance!

Marco Battaglia lives in Des Moines and is a candidate for lieutenant governor, running with Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Rick Stewart.