Lt. Gov. Barnes: I am glad that you asked that question. There are so many reasons for supporting Vice President Joe Biden, especially in the issue areas that you’ve outlined...but first, I guess I should say thank you for having me. When it comes to education and opportunities, Joe Biden’s brand has specific metrics that he and (United States Senator and Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee) Kamala Harris are looking to meet and benefit the underserved, especially the Black community, across America... when it comes to educational opportunities... making sure that postsecondary education is more accessible to people who have been denied those opportunities. On the economic front, which we can couple with the employment front, (offering) opportunities for first-time homeowners so that they can begin to build wealth. There are opportunities...not just for people who are seeking jobs, (but also for) people who are currently employed...by raising the minimum wage, and also creating an opportunity for business owners, and inspire business owners to be able to thrive. I think that we should look back to the recovery during 2009. That recovery led to some of the greatest economic successes this nation has every seen. It has led to the strongest economy. If you choose to judge the economy based on the stock market...we can go into that conversation another day, or another time, however, if you want to purely use those metrics...then judge the strength of that economy...the same economy for which (President) Donald Trump has taken credit. The gains in the stock market that we have seen under the Trump Presidency are completely owed to the foundation that was (laid)...we were already on track during the Obama years and Joe Biden has had a great deal to play in making sure that the United States of America saw that sort of prosperity. Gary: Do you have any other thoughts that you would like to share with the readership? Lt. Gov. Barnes: Absolutely. I just want to say that it cannot be repeated enough that this is the most important election of our lifetime...certainly the most consequential election of our lifetime, but I also want people to know that it is not over until election day. There still are so many different issues (and) we have to make sure that they get addressed. Too often...when the person that we want to win an election... when they do win...we assume that things are going to get better...or we fail to hold them accountable. When the people we don’t want to get elected...(actually do get elected)...too often we get angry...as we should, but that anger should also come with some organizing to make sure that we can build for the next election cycle. There are so many more races, that are critical to our well-being, that don’t happen during Presidential (races). Not only is it important to vote during every election...it is also important to make sure that we organize...even after an election. As we elect our state representatives, or our school board members...it is important for us to make sure that we still show up to meetings... be it online or in person...to make sure that we know that they are doing right by our community... to make sure that we understand...and they understand...that we have issues that need to be addressed...and that their work isn’t done just because they got elected...(but rather) their work starts because they got elected. Celeste and Gary: Thank you. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 45
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