My name is Rebecca. I’m a constituent of Meuser. I’m a factory worker. I’m a single mother. I’m part of the working poor. And I’m a leader with Put People First! PA.

My Daddy was a factory worker too. A foreman at a good union job, until Bill Clinton passed NAFTA and the company my Daddy worked for decided that it would rather have cheap overseas labor than American workers making a decent wage. Our family was homeless for a hot minute, but my Daddy’s work ethic saved us. He swallowed his pride and worked at a gas station until he could get his feet under him long enough to build a career as a truck driver. We didn’t get to see him all too often after that, but I’m forever grateful for the sacrifices he made for our family.

The thing of it is, that truck driving job led to two heart attacks and an early grave. My mom didn’t fare any better, dying 5 years before my Daddy did. I shouldn’t have buried both my parents before I turned forty. Poverty takes our people young.

Poverty took my brother too. A little over a month ago now — all the way to Alaska. Because there is no economic opportunity in Pennsylvania. I certainly can’t afford to go visit him or nothing. I don’t know if I’ll ever see my niece again. It breaks my heart to think of her growing up without family. Poverty keeps us isolated and alone.

I work 12-hour overnight shifts, making cable for power lines. I’m proud of the work I do, keeping the lights on for my fellow Americans. Whenever a hurricane or other natural disaster destroys our infrastructure, I’m working overtime. I shouldn’t be living paycheck to paycheck. It’s a damn crying shame that I can’t do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.

What are you politicians gonna do to fix this? My Daddy was a lifelong Republican. Didn’t do him a bit of good. Why should I vote for any of you?

You’re gonna get rid of waste, fraud, and abuse? You better not do it by kicking my kid off of Medicaid like Biden did. That’s right, Sleepy Joe took my child’s healthcare away. The only reason we got it back is cause Put People First! PA fought for us. Biden stole healthcare from 25 million Americans. Most of them still don’t have it back. I’m certain that hundreds if not thousands of people are dead because of it.

You wanna get rid of fraud, waste, and abuse? Start with the fat cats at the top! Start with the 20 trillion dollars in wasteful military spending. Trillion with a T. Where is all that money going? It damn sure ain’t going to our veterans. They can’t get the health care they need either.

The politicians aren’t coming to save us, no matter what they say. It’s high time ordinary Americans band together to get what we all need: good jobs and quality healthcare. Remember this: you only get what you’re organized to take!

REBECCA REITENBACH

Williamsport

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom