David came to this country as a Dreamer at the age of 14 – crossing the border with his sister on his back, as they escaped political turmoil in their native Guatemala. David and his family settled in Southern California, where his mother worked as a janitor, and his father, a carpenter. He learned English in public schools, before earning scholarships to Stanford and Harvard law. As a young man, he came out to his family and friends, and he is now married to his husband of 20 years.
So many of our problems are complicated. Lifting millions of Californians out of poverty is simple – make the minimum wage a true living wage.
Do you want to lower crime, make government more efficient, and address homelessness in a smarter way? It starts with a real living wage that brings hope and dignity to every worker. When more people work, crime goes down. When people make a living wage, they don’t need government subsidies. If people can afford their rent – they don’t have to live in their cars or on the streets.
Of course a true living wage makes economic sense. But beyond the proven economic fundamentals, the people who cook our food, wash our dishes, clean our homes and offices, and take care of our kids should make enough to pay rent and put food on the table. It is that simple.
And that is what I will do – take on the corporations profiting from an economy that exploits low-wage workers and pass a true living wage.
I am the only corporate-free candidate in the race for Assembly. Many of the other candidates are talking a good game – but we all know how this system works. Candidates funded by corporations have a nearly unbroken record of breaking campaign promises and towing the corporate line when the going gets tough.