Sen. Kamala Harris: 'We are better than this'
By: KIERRA FELDER
Mar 13, 2019
Sen. Kamala Harris greets the crowd at Shady Grove United Methodist Church in St. George on March 9. (Panther photo by Kierra Felder)
ST. GEORGE -- The economy is not working for working
people, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said during a March 9
visit to Shady Grove United Methodist Church in St. George.
“You know I find it an amazing thing, where supposedly
leaders walk around talking about ‘oh the economy is great, the economy is
doing great,’” the California senator said. “I’ve been traveling, I’ve been
talking to folks.
“Yes, they’re working, they are working two or three
jobs to get through the month to pay the bills,” Harris said.
“America is not working for working people” Harris
said. “Let’s speak the truth, let’s speak that truth.”
Almost half of American households cannot afford a
$400 expense without disrupting the family situation, she said. “That can
be the car breaks down, that can be a health care bill you can’t see coming.”
People are being paid too little for the work they do,
she said.
“If you are a minimum wage worker in 99 percent of the
country, you cannot afford market rates for a one-bedroom apartment.”
These are the realities of the economy today, Harris
said, saying she is proposing significant tax cuts for the middle class.
“If you are a family making less than $100,000 a
year, you will receive a tax credit,” Harris said. “You can collect up to $500
a month.”
The senator said paying for such a cut will come from
repeal of the tax plan put in place by President Donald Trump and Republicans.
The plan’s foes consistently claim it helps the wealthy and not the middle
class.
“They don’t need that money, they don’t need that
money,” Harris said. “Middle-class families need that money.”
Harris urged people to become involved with change.
“We are better than this,” she said of the country’s present direction.
“I do believe that this is a time … to restore truths
and justice in our country,” she said. “I believe this is a moment of time
where we must restore equal opportunities for all Americans to have a path.”
Harris said, “Let’s speak some truth that’s going on
in our country.”
The crowd chanted “Harris! Harris!” as she exited the
stage. The senator stayed after the conference, shaking hands, answering
questions and taking pictures.
Prior to Harris’ speech, a private breakfast
offered ticket-holders the opportunity meet and greet Mrs. Harris.
Harris and other Democratic candidates are focusing
early on South Carolina, which has the fourth primary in the nation on Feb. 29,
2020.