Joe Garcia drinks coffee with FIU students

by The Beacon

On the morning of Sept. 4, FIU students at the University Bookstore's Starbucks enjoyed a different cup of joe.

Democratic Congressional hopeful Joe Garcia made an appearance to mingle with students and exchange ideas, while enjoying some coffee.

Garcia came in, shook hands with students and proposed some of his ideas for change if elected to Congress. He is currently running against Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, who has held the congressional seat for the 25th District of Florida since 2003.

Garcia's visit to FIU was a chance to connect with the younger people of his district and offer some alternatives to issues that are important to them, such as budget cuts affecting academic programs and the soaring tuition costs. Garcia proposed that the government should invest particular attention and resources in funding education.

"Our country's wealth does not lie in the economic resources we have, rather in our intellect, our patents and our ability to produce innovative thought," said Garcia, who used Google as an example of an innovative thought that gives the country its technological edge. Garcia also said he believes the government should have special interest in funding education as the breeding ground for innovation that steers our economy forward.

"For every one dollar that goes into education, you get six dollars back," he said. "Therefore, there is an incentive for government to channel funds toward education."

If elected, he hopes to expand college loans and reduce interest. He also addressed another common complaint among college students: the lack of career opportunities and debt after graduation. He offered a solution he claims will directly steer money toward the local economy.

According to Garcia, education and economy are two factors that are inextricably linked, and small businesses can act as an effective liaison for both. He proposed there should be more of an incentive to prepare a future task force of new hirees in small businesses. "Some small businesses offer tuition reimbursement for newly graduated employees," said Garcia. "And consequently, it will boost the local economy and help students pay off debt."

Garcia vowed that students would be informed of these career opportunities. For his constituency, Garcia hopes to invest in the individual and the community as the root of change, much like education is the foundation for fueling the economy.

"Homestead is one of the most productive agricultural lands in this side of Florida, but it's the people that make it productive," he said. Therefore, Garcia puts particular emphasis on giving people incentive for public service, especially teachers, who have long been underpaid.

The problem, he says, is that the government is spending more than it has to on two main areas: the energy sector and health care. However, restructuring these two will guarantee more money used for education.

"If a child gets a cavity, health care does not cover that; if the child develops an abscess, it does not cover that either. Once that abscess turns into a tumor, then [health care providers] are willing to pay the $40,000 for treatment," Garcia said. "It is unnecessary to pay that amount, when the problem can be tackled from the beginning." Garcia concluded that this leads to funds used improperly, as in the case of education.

Overall, Garcia attempted to touch base with young voters, who may be the deciding factor in his run for a congressional seat. "I was very impressed with the ideas he offered, especially those for education. I was actually even considering being involved with campaigning," said senior Onex Salva, a liberal arts and science major.

After Garcia spoke with students and drank some coffee, he headed over to FIU's radio station Radiate FM, where he was interviewed. The interview can be heard at FIUSM.com.