Trending
The 13th Congressional District comprises all of Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Perry counties, as well as two parts of Somerset and Cumberland counties.
For the most part, the 13th is a rural district. The 13th has a population of about 765,000 and is the most Republican district in the Commonwealth.
The simple truth about the 13th District is sobering.
More than 217,000 residents in this district rely on Social Security benefits in some form. Over 180,800 people in this district are Medicare eligible. More than 161,000 residents in this district are on Medicaid.
The number of people in our communities barely getting by on these programs will no doubt continue to increase as the population of this district continues to age.
How will folks on fixed incomes who paid into Social Security their entire lives get by if this safety net is cut to shreds?
Will cuts in these programs lead to even more crime?
Will cuts lead to more community decay?
Will cuts to these programs lead to local businesses being hurt?
One possible start of working toward a solution: Put a nationwide "tariff" on individuals with an annual income of more than $400,000.
The silence of Rep. John Joyce is troubling. Will Joyce support the dilution and destruction of the safety nets so many folks rely on?
We deserve our elected representative in Congress to act to protect the interests of people of the 13th Congressional District.
Joe Nypaver
Hollidaysbur