Sen. Marco Rubio told supporters Monday evening at a towl hall event in The Villages that Washington is out of touch and average citizens are paying the price.
Rubio spoke to a crowd of more than 350 people at the Eisenhower Recreation Center, outlining his plan for the country if he were elected president.
As he made his way to the stage, even more supporters were outside wanting to get in.
"We could not get any tickets, because they were gone," said Joanne Shaw.
Florida's junior senator told the crowd it's time for Washington politicians to get back in touch with the people and understand what is crippling our country. One big problem he said needs reform is the student loan system.
"We can't keep graduating people with a mountain of student loans and a degree that doesn't lead to a job. It is crippling," Rubio said. "Look, I, myself owed over $100,000 in student loans."
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"They forgot or never knew what it was like for a student who went to college, borrowed money to get a degree, and now they can't find a job, but they owe thousands of dollars," Rubio continued. "You know what happens when you can't pay it? It ruins your credit, which means you can't buy a house. You can't start a business. You can't move ahead."
Rubio, who has been slowly rising in the polls, said the U.S. economy is changing rapidly, and America needs to be ready for a whole new world.
"One of the largest hospitality companies in America, AirBNB, they don't own any hotels," Rubio explained. "One of the largest retailers in the world, Amazon, doesn't have any stores. One of the largest transportation companies is called Uber, and they don't own any cars."
Rubio left the crowd with an ominous warning.
"Here is the sad truth: If we keep doing what we are doing now, we are going to be the first Americans to leave our children worse off than ourselves."
Rubio is expected to continue his tour of Florida in the days ahead.