Real national security starts at home. A country where millions of people work full time and still cannot afford rent, groceries, or basic peace of mind is not stable, it is vulnerable by design.

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Economic instability weakens our workforce, fractures families, and fuels the conditions that lead to mental health crises, community violence, and long-term dependency. This is not a moral failure. It is a policy failure.

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I believe in raising wages and building real pathways into ownership, skilled work, and independence. Wage growth must be paired with support for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs, because economic security should be achievable whether you work for someone else or build something of your own.

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Work requirements already exist in federal policy for those receiving public benefits, but too often they are tied to outdated programs that do not lead to stability. I will fight to realign federal workforce and benefit systems toward clear, accountable pathways that move people from assistance into durable work, training, and long-term security, not cycles of compliance without progress.

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When people are stable, communities are safer. Chronic instability, untreated mental health needs, and economic stress are key drivers of violence, including gun violence. Addressing safety means addressing the conditions that make desperation inevitable.

A strong economy is not just about growth. It is about resilience, dignity, and national capacity.

That is the foundation of real security.