What Ken Believes

Strengthening the Middle Class 

The American Dream is built on the idea that any child in this country, born into any family, will have the opportunity to realize their full potential, if they are willing to work for it. However, that dream has been slipping away for some time now, as middle class families in North Carolina and around the country have been working harder than ever, for less pay and less security.  

The aspirations of generation after generation of middle class Americans has been to do better than their parents, but in the face of rising costs for health care and higher education, battered retirement savings accounts, and an economy that seems to work only for those at the very top, many of our friends and neighbors are beginning to lose hope for a brighter future.  

My number one priority as your next U.S. Senator will be to rebuild an economy that will benefit every American, where high quality jobs are being created in every corner of this state, and where middle class families, who have struggled for so long, can finally get ahead. 
 

Fostering Innovation 

Innovation – the development of new products, services, and processes – is the key to new job creation, economic expansion, and our future prosperity. For more than 200 years, North Carolina has been built on innovation.  That innovation has harnessed the strength, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of our people, the power of our education system and the resources of our state. 

The University of North Carolina, chartered in 1789, was the first public university in the United States.  Today, more than 183,000 students are enrolled in the 17 institutions that comprise the University system. 

In 1959, the Research Triangle Park began its historic function as one of the nation's first, and most enduring, collaborative business and research engines for economic growth.  A model for research, innovation, and economic development, RTP today is home to more than 170 of the world’s cutting-edge companies and institutions. 

Over the past two decades, the North Carolina Community College System has become a national model for joining innovative teaching and learning with cutting-edge career opportunities in urban and rural communities across the state. 

Because of our past investments in education, scientific, and technology infrastructure, and the innovative spirit of our people—North Carolina is well-positioned to lead in creation of new 21^st century industries and jobs. 
 

Promoting Progress 

I believe in looking at issues with a fresh eye and a conviction that, as state and a nation, our vision of the future should not be constrained by what exists today or what has existed in the past. 

We Americans are a team of 300 million people competing against China (population 1.4 billion), India (population 1.2 billion), and billions of other people around the world. How will we ensure success?  We must fully leverage all of our assets: 

Freedom

We are a free society -- our creativity is unfettered by censorship, one-party rule, or official ideology. 

Diversity

We are a diverse people, able to compete anywhere because Americans come from everywhere. 

Education

We have the best system of higher education in the world -- and people from all over the world come to our shores to experience it. 

Taken individually, each of these strengths is powerful.  Together, they can be decisive. 

For too long many have falsely believed that progress is zero-sum—that one can only gain if another loses.  We must move beyond zero-sum and embrace the power and possibilities of focusing on our common interests.  We are at our strongest -- at our best -- when we recognize our shared destiny, embrace the full spectrum of our diversity, and deploy the full range of our advantages. 

America has always been about progress.  In this campaign, I will put before the people of North Carolina a vision that is inclusive and forward-looking, not constrained by the past or the present.