“That day is not the end of our challenge, but is the beginning of our work. We will be more polarized than we are today. We will need someone in this office that can unite us again. Some of the large corporate officials are not paying taxes, while the middle class and others are struggling to get by,” Buttigieg said. “We know the next president will have to fix the immigration system and the minimum wage situation and climate change, but think about the values that America stands for. No other country will have to wonder anymore if what the US president is telling is the truth or not.”

Buttigieg said the Second Amendment cannot be allowed to be twisted as it is now, and the fact that the country was built on the fact that it belongs to everyone will be recognized and honored once again.

“The country will also be better because Citizens United will be no more,” he said. “God does not belong to a political party. ‘When you was hungry I fed you, naked and I clothed you.'”

Buttigieg went on to say that other things that cannot wait are mental health and addiction, immigration reform and the sense of belonging.

T-R PHOTO BY CHUCK FRIEND
Mayor Pete Buttigieg talks to reporters after his speech during question and answer time in Marshalltown Saturday.

Known for his stance on Medicare — Medicare for those who want it — Buttigieg said he also has a plan for social security.

“It is critically important that we protect it but we do not have to cut benefits to protect social security,” he said, “I have also argued that we should supplement social security with a 401K that employers would pay into to provide a layer of support.”

When asked if he got the nomination how he would stand up to Trump, he said, “We are going to have to deny Trump the power to change the subject.”

Buttigieg said running for office is an act of hope. He said that the next president will have to restore dignity and decency to the White House and to restore a sense of balance in the world.