U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz used her time at the podium of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte to issue a strong defense of Medicare.
In her remarks Sept. 4, Schwartz (D-13th dist.) described Medicare as “America’s great promise of health care for our seniors.”
“As a daughter who cared for an elderly parent, I know medical care is not optional for seniors,” she told delegates. “Americans have worked for their Medicare. They have paid for their Medicare. And whether you’re 65, 55, 45 or 35, you’ve earned Medicare.
“We will not let the Republicans end the guarantee of Medicare — costing our seniors thousands and endangering the health and retirement security of millions of Americans. Americans deserve the security Medicare provides. President Obama will strengthen and protect Medicare. Democrats will make the tough choices — the right choices — to reduce the deficit and to preserve Medicare for this generation and the next.”
Schwartz, a former state senator who is serving her fourth term in Congress, is the only woman in the 19-member Pennsylvania delegation. She was joined on the convention stage by other women, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Carolyn Maloney and Nydia Velasquez of New York, Gwen Moore of Wisconsin and Donna Edwards of Maryland and candidates Joyce Beatty of Ohio and Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.
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Meanwhile, Joe Rooney is wondering what Schwartz had to celebrate at the convention.
Rooney, a Delta Air Lines pilot and former U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot, is Schwartz’s Republican challenger. He describes himself as a fiscal conservative and “independent” Republican.
The challenger noted that the nation’s debt has surpassed $16 trillion. In less than four years of the Obama administration, the debt has risen about $5.4 trillion.
Rooney also pointed to decreased property values and an unemployment rate that has been above 8 percent each month of the Obama presidency.
In the eight years of George W. Bush’s administration, the average monthly unemployment figure was 5.3 percent.
Rooney sent a letter to his opponent last week asking for a debate.
“Please contact my campaign when you are back from your political party and you are prepared to discuss your record,” it concluded.
Schwartz’s office declined to comment on Rooney’s request.
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William Dunbar, the Democratic candidate in the 177th Legislative District, has been endorsed by Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania.
“William Dunbar is committed to protecting our natural resources,” said Josh McNeil, the group’s executive director.
Dunbar is challenging Republican Rep. John Taylor, who scored 31 percent in the group’s scorecard of votes associated with a bill that determined how much Marcellus Shale drillers should pay to extract natural gas. ••
