Now that you have completed your introduction, research, and outline, your final task is to create an audio presentation that demonstrates your understanding of the U.S. economy and presents your stance as a political candidate. This final product should be a 3 to 5-minute speech in which you introduce yourself as a candidate and clearly state your position on the current state of the economy.
Your speech should explain the reasoning behind your stance using recent trends, economic data, news headlines, or personal observations. In addition to identifying issues, be sure to propose specific economic solutions or policy ideas that reflect your platform. The speech should conclude with a clear and compelling closing message that communicates your commitment to improving economic outcomes for the country.
My stance is clear: Our economy is fundamentally resilient, but structurally unbalanced. The challenge is not finding jobs; the challenge is making those jobs pay enough to live with dignity.
[0:30 – 1:45] The Diagnosis: Data and Trends
We have to acknowledge the good: the job market is incredibly strong, a testament to American innovation and hard work. But let’s talk about the pain points that define the current trend.
The most corrosive trend we face is persistent, insidious inflation. For too long, we’ve seen Core CPI figures hover stubbornly high, and you don’t need an economist to see what that means. It’s the $8 carton of eggs. It’s the skyrocketing cost of car insurance. It’s the median rent that feels like a second mortgage.
When productivity rises year after year, yet average hourly wages barely keep pace with that relentless rise in housing, healthcare, and childcare, the system is breaking down. Why? Because too much power and profit are concentrated at the very top. Instead of competition driving prices down, concentration allows corporations to pass costs onto you and then pad their own record profits.
[1:45 – 3:30] My Economic Solutions and Policy Platform
We cannot solve a structural problem with temporary fixes. My platform is built on three pillars to reset the balance of power in our economy.
First: Restoring True Competition and Fighting Price Gouging. We must revitalize our anti-trust enforcement. We need real market competition in sectors like groceries, energy, and air travel. I will champion legislation to increase the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) power to investigate and dismantle monopolies that artificially inflate prices and crush small businesses. Competition is not just good economic policy—it is a direct way to lower your grocery bill.
Second: Investing in the American Worker. We need to incentivize wage growth, not just job creation. I propose a Working Family Investment Credit—a tax benefit for businesses that commit to raising their median employee wage by a set percentage above the rate of inflation, alongside investments in apprenticeships and accredited job training. This rewards companies for sharing their success and ensures that when the economy grows, your paycheck grows with it.
Sample Answer
Candidate Speech: An Economy for the Working Family
(Time: Approximately 4:00 - 4:30 minutes)
(Sound Suggestion: Start with a brief, uplifting musical sting that fades quickly)
[0:00 – 0:30] Introduction and Core Stance
Good morning. I am Alex Chen, and I am running for office because I believe in an American economy that works not just on paper, but in the kitchens and checkbooks of every family.
The official reports are cheerful. Our unemployment rate sits stubbornly below 4%. The stock market sets new records. But here is the truth you and I feel every day: the national economic scoreboard is flashing green, while the family budget scoreboard is flashing red.