Pennsylvania may never again get the opportunity to choose its course of history like they will in the coming elections. With Incumbent Senator Pat Toomey set to finally bow out upon the conclusion of his current term in 2023, there’s arguably no better time for Pennsylvanians to reclaim the U.S. Senate for the people. The best part of this is that, of the eight candidates who have formally declared their intentions to succeed the outgoing senator, there’s actually an individual that the people can count on in the lot. To bring democracy back to Pennsylvania, voters in the state need only give former Mayor John Fetterman their endorsement.
As we all know, a vote is a powerful thing. So, why should it go to a person like John Fetterman?
The first reason is the fact that, thought he might have been an elected official for several years, he hasn’t let that institution corrupt or erode his ideals. Even now, after spending twelve years as the Mayor of Braddock, he is still as casual in appearance and demeanor as he ever was. Looking at the man in his jeans and a short-sleeve shirt, you’d never believe he received an Ivy League education. Through it all, his very persona continues to identify with the people he leads. Fetterman doesn’t conform to the standards we’ve come to expect from prospective U.S. Senators. And, right now, maybe that’s just what Pennsylvania needs. Every representative of the state in the Senate so far has appeared cut from the same cut; completely ineffectual. Fetterman just might be able to turn things around with his unique style.
Another element that works in his favor is that he doesn’t appear so bound by party affiliations. As the current U.S. Senate lineup has conclusively shown, if someone isn’t willing to reach across the aisle, it’s the everyday American who’ll get left holding the short end of the stick.
Consequently, as far as bipartisanship is concerned, Fetterman is arguably the best foot that we can put forward at this point. Fetterman himself believes that “… it (bipartisanship) would change everything. You put [Republican Jeff Bartos] and I in a room and we can figure out so much together. We know each other and we trust each other. The idea of binary politics is just silly. If you’re for X, you’re evil, and if you’re for Y, you’re pure. It’s the death of nuance. Put me and Jeff in the room and we’ll find common ground and solve problems.” In another interview, he went on to say, “You can feel strongly about an issue, you can agree to disagree, but you can still be friends, you can still have a beer, and you can still work to a better outcome for everybody. And I would never want to lose sight of that.” Unlike most occupants of the Senate right now, this man sees the role that intelligent engagement with people of a different ideology can play in making the nation better. We can only cater to the division for so long till it inevitably brings about the downfall of the nation.
Fetterman also stands with the people as far as his campaign funding is concerned. He believes that the people he’s going to the office to serve are the only ones who should be in his corner financially. Again, unlike many of our current U.S. Senators, the love of personal gain has blinded them to the fact that big contributors don’t sponsor them out of love and goodwill. These big sponsors usually want something in return. It’s why, when the senators are eventually elected, they find it nearly impossible to speak the truth when it’s time to challenge big corporations.
It may be true that our leadership has failed us. But, to an extent, we need to start accepting responsibility for sending certain kinds of people to Washington D.C. Fetterman retained his integrity as mayor and he certainly looks set to hold on to it as a senator representing Pennsylvania.
We can do things a lot differently now. We can vote for a person who’ll still remain 100% approachable and committed to the cause when he finally gets to office.
Let’s help elect John Fetterman for U.S. Senate and finally put the issues in Pennsylvania to rest!
