Government officials are elected to serve the people they represent and scale the voices of those raising issues in the community. But is this system working?
Turn on any news channel—whichever you choose. Scroll through the news sites. What you’ll see are companies feeding narratives that tell a story that only partially articulates the issues facing the hardworking people of the Commonwealth. You’ll find stories about political infighting, celebrity news, and Washington happenings that don’t directly impact the lives of Pennsylvanians from Pittsburgh, to Harrisburg, and beyond.
If Washington isn’t listening to we, the people, are the needs of hardworking Pennsylvanians being left off the table for consideration?
When asked about the current state of our economic climate, almost two-thirds of Americans believe that the government is spending too much, according to a poll recently observed by the AP-NORC. This should come as no surprise, given the Biden administration’s over $4 trillion in spending since the 46th President of the United States took office. Undoubtedly this increase in spending has led to the increase in grocery bills (up 4.3% from 2021 to 2022). The Biden administration’s focus on centralized planning through massive spending bills disguised as “workforce hubs” has led to the country’s economic downturn, though this focus is hardly mentioned in day-to-day reporting on mainstream sites.
This goes without saying: motorists are feeling pain at the pump. Without a doubt, the over $1.50 more per gallon national average price is hurting consumers of fuel—from Florida, to California, to right here in the Commonwealth. Congress can take action today to address rising gas prices—such as passing H.R.1, or the Lower Energy Costs Act—but the status quo and unwillingness from Congress to take swift action on rising energy costs is causing Pennsylvania consumers to make critical tradeoffs when it comes to putting gas in their cars, or putting food on their family tables. In fact, according to a poll commissioned by YouGov, 54% of Americans believe reeling back regulations to domestic energy production will directly impact the negative effects of inflation.
However, it’s rare to hear Washington come to the table to discuss course correcting the policies that have led to this major rise in fuel prices.
Lastly, Pennsylvanians are fed up with the status quo when it comes to their health care. In a recent poll commissioned by Americans for Prosperity-PA through Susquehanna Polling in May of 2023, it was found that 67% of respondents in Pennsylvania believe that government should allow for more choice in their health care, so to drive down the cost of out-of-pocket prices. Consumers want a personal option to health care—though you rarely see the concept of free-market health care reported in the news. Congress and Harrisburg lawmakers can move swiftly to address the concerns of the people when it comes to health care, so long as the ideas of choice and personal touch (for example, telehealth services!) are top of mind.
The people of Pennsylvania have spoken—but are Harrisburg and Washington there to hear their concerns? We must do better to address the consensus of the people of Pennsylvania, which is to get government bureaucracy out of the way so that they may chart their own course towards their American Dream. For the sake of the people of this great Commonwealth, I do hope their officials are listening.
You can take action today to raise your concerns with the current economic crisis by joining our community of freedom fighters at americansforprosperity.org. Sign your name to a petition to send an email directly to your representation in Harrisburg and Washington.
This is Emily Greene, Deputy State Director with Americans for Prosperity-PA.
Emily Greene | Deputy State Director | Americans for Prosperity – PA
m: 412.552.0271 | e: [email protected] | @AFPPennsylvania