Today we begin a journey together to restore the California Dream for all Californians. The odds were against me being successful from the day I was born, but I was able to overcome the odds. I grew up poor, born to a 16 year old mother, and my father died when I was 3 years old. Yet, I was able to come to California, attend Stanford University, and pursue my dream of owning my own small business. This same opportunity does NOT exist for college kids today. The incumbent politicians have engaged in generational theft. These politicians have spent, borrowed, and taxed the opportunities away for so many Californians. It is incumbent upon me to stand up and fight so that others may have the same opportunities that I’ve experienced. If not me, then who? If not now, then when?
For too long we have engaged in fiscal policy that suggests we can have it “all”. The incumbent politicians have led us to believe that as a state we can live on $1.20 worth of expenses and only $.90 of revenue. This formula doesn’t work. We can’t have it all. We must live within our means. MasterCard has a popular slogan that states “There are some things that money can’t buy, for everything else there is MasterCard”. This slogan sums up the culture in Sacramento. The incumbent politicians have led us to believe that we can finance our deficiencies, inadequacies, and we can have it all; even if it means risking the future for college kids. I believe in my heart that Tuesday’s election results were a repudiation of this “MasterCard” precept. Virginians elected Robert McDonnell and New Jersey citizens elected Christopher Christie because they stand for fiscal conservative principles. Simply, those two states chose candidates that would lead them to living within their means. California must follow suit.
In sum, I believe in California. I believe in Californians. I have left my job so that I can travel this state, earn your vote, and earn the privilege of serving you the people. I have grown up poor, and I have lived with means. I have attended poor public schools and the best private schools. I have friends with GEDs and friends with PHDs. I carry with me the experiences of so many Californians. Pundits have suggested that the odds are against California. I’ve personally overcome the odds in my life, and with the right leadership, California will overcome the odds as well. Let’s take a journey together and begin the worthwhile work of restoring the California Dream.
