It’s Time for a Government That Works for Us
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
For decades, we have been sold the myth that anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps. But as I reflect on my own life, I see clearly that it’s not a lack of effort or willpower that holds people back—it’s the type of government and the policies it enacts. If you’ve ever struggled to get ahead, I urge you to ask yourself: has government helped or hindered your journey? Ronald Reagan once said, “government is the problem.” But let’s be honest—it’s not government itself; it’s the kind of government we’ve had, one designed for the few, not the many.
Let me share my story—a story I know echoes the experiences of countless Americans.
In the early 2000s, I set out with hope, shaped by the policies of the previous decade. The economic decisions made during the Clinton era and the 1990s left many of us behind, and when 9/11 changed the world, I felt called to serve. I dreamed of being a public servant—a career diplomat representing America’s values across the globe. But economic inequality shut that door. The cost of college was simply too high, and like too many young people, I was forced to drop out.
I became homeless in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, an experience I would never wish on anyone. Still, I kept going. I moved to Nevada, took a job in retail banking, and tried to build a stable life. But when the financial crash hit in 2008, I lost my job. The lack of meaningful financial regulation—government failure by design—let Wall Street gamble with our futures and left ordinary people like me to pay the price.
After the crash, I wound up in a boiler room job. When the criminal justice system caught up with me, I spent almost a decade under pretrial supervision. That label kept me from finding meaningful work, so I hustled wherever I could: Popeyes, Carl’s Jr., hospitality, restaurants—minimum wage jobs that barely kept me afloat. I survived thanks to SNAP, the program that too many politicians want to cut, and kept my eyes on the future.
Eventually, I earned my master’s in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Nevada, Reno. I was lucky to have a call center job as COVID-19 loomed. I saw the crisis coming and urged my manager to let us work from home. He laughed it off—until the world changed overnight. By spring 2020, I had my degree, but thanks to years of underfunding and attacks on public service, there were almost no jobs to be found.
I didn’t give up. I started a small business with a friend, importing socially responsible, sustainable coffee from Colombia—coffee grown by former guerrilla fighters rebuilding their lives after decades of civil war. But then came Trump’s tariffs, which threw the markets into chaos. To keep afloat, I turned to DoorDash. Now, with war in Iran and soaring gas prices, even gig work is becoming impossible.
At every step of my adult life, the type of government we’ve had has made it harder—not easier—to survive. Policy by policy, failure by design, our leaders have made life a struggle for millions. I am one of the lucky ones who made it through, but I know my story is not unique. If you’re reading this, I bet you can relate.
That’s why I’m running for Congress. Not for me, but for all of us who are tired of government by the powerful, for the powerful. We need a new direction—one that puts people first. I’m fighting for a universal set of economic policies, starting with a Universal Basic Income of $1,300 a month, paid for by a fair share tax on billion-dollar corporations that have avoided contributing to the society that made their wealth possible.
This campaign isn’t about one person’s story. It’s about all of us—our struggles, our hopes, our future. It’s about building a government that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. We can break the cycle. We can demand policies that lift us up, not hold us down.
Let’s create a government that serves the people. Let’s fight for real economic security, justice, and opportunity for all. Join me in this movement. Together, we can build the future we deserve.
Onward,
Gamy Enriquez, MPA
Candidate for Congress
