Former President Barack Obama is reminding Americans if they vote in the upcoming November election, they can be a part of the solution to the problem.
“One of the biggest tricks that’s perpetrated on the American people is this idea that the government is separate from you. The government’s us, of, by, and for the people,” Obama said while campaigning for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Philadelphia.
He added, “It wasn’t always for all of us, but the way it’s designed it works based on whose at the table and if you do not vote, you are not at the table.”
Obama stressed if Americans are “at the table” then they are part of the solution.
Watch his comments below:
Obama: ‘One of the biggest tricks that’s perpetrated on the American people is this idea that the government is separate from you. The government’s us … If you do not vote, you are not at the table.’ pic.twitter.com/JNEHH5oIod
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) October 21, 2020
Obama noted when he was elected in 2008, the country saw the highest African American voter turnout in history.
“It was still only about 60%. When people say voting doesn’t make a difference, we’ve never tried what it would look like if it was 80% voting or 90% voting,” Obama said.
He continued, “During midterm elections we get 30% of people voting and probably 15% of young people voting. You don’t know if it’s going to work if you don’t try it.”
Obama’s message to young people is “give this a shot.”
He explained when he took office, voting “didn’t make everything perfect, but we solved a whole lot of problems.”
Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, as IJR previously reported.
“This is an election between the Trump super recovery, which is happening right now, and a Biden depression,” Trump said. “If you want open schools, an open economy and a safe, healthy, thriving country, vote for me.”
According to the University of Florida’s U.S. Elections Project, more than 35 million Americans already have cast early ballots.