Elizabeth Warren: ‘It’s Time to Make Change for People Who Weren’t Born into Privilege’

Government affairs. That’s the message Elizabeth Warren hopes to send to Black women during this election cycle. What’s more, the 2020 presidential candidate wants voters to know that while the federal government currently works well for those at the highest, under her administration it can work for everyone.

“We can create opportunities beyond just those born into privilege,” says Warren, ESSENCE’s director of reports and policy Yesha Callahan, during a recent sit-down interview. The senator from Massachusetts admits it’s an excessive amount of corruption in Washingtonand needs to change the influence of cash on issues necessary to the American people.

“Gun safety, health care, prescription drug costs,” Warren slurs. “Any decision was influenced by money.”

Therefore, the uncompromising progressive argues that it’s time to make structural changes to the economy and put more power within the hands of employees. He believes that the best way the country currently works leaves an excessive amount of within the hands of corporations. Warren argues that more “balance” is required and advocates a wealth task that would help with this. Under her presidency, ladies and men earning greater than $50 million a yr can be taxed at 2 percent on any amount above that number.

Warren says the cash from this tax would enable universal child care and preschool and lift wages for child care employees. It may also enable the creation of tuition-free technical colleges and community colleges, canceling 95 percent of student loans and ultimately closing the black-white wealth gap. For HBCUs, it can donate $50 million to institutions which might be “dedicated to developing our leaders.”

The former educator understands that for economic change to occur, the work needed to make it occur could have to begin on the brand new administration’s first day in office.

“I have plans, I make lists,” Warren insists. “But let me start with something that is really important. I want to talk, not just in general [about the fact] that the work of black women has been undervalued for generations, but it’s about making real change on day one.”

“One in four Americans works for a company that does business for the federal government,” Warren continued. “But the federal government can set conditions. Here’s something an American president can do all by herself on her first day in office.

“To any corporations that want a chance to be in this business, the offer is this: You can’t just talk about equal pay for equal work and a diverse workforce,” Warren says. “You have to walk. It is American taxpayer dollars that support government contracts, and Americans have a right to know that these companies will reflect America’s values.”