Seniors have shown themselves to be the most dependable voters, but they don’t always vote in their own best interest. They tend to vote for candidates based on social issues they favor or a familiar candidate, rather than on issues important to their economic well-being. We must be careful we don’t install a legislator who would create laws that are detrimental to the economic security of workers and ourselves. The most important bias seniors should have when voting is their long-term economic security.
Unions, and especially IBEW 1245, continually fight for the best interests of their members by pointing out the issues supported by the candidates. Is a candidate guided by the best interest of working people or the ‘best interests’ of the wealthy? By their rhetoric, will they legislate for or against working people and retirees?
It is important we look past the ‘D’ or the ‘R’ and seriously evaluate which issues the candidate believes are important and pay close attention to the issues that are not addressed. Are they talking about social issues that will get your attention, but leave out the economic policies they favor? Are they talking about guns or abortion and making sweeping non-specific claims about making life better for you?
It is important that we look beyond the surface issues to determine the goals of a candidate. If elected, how will a specific candidate affect your economic bottom line? You may disagree with some of the policies of a candidate, but if your economic success and your retirement security is supported, this is the most important consideration.
Consider this — In the recent two-year election cycle, when one party had complete control of both houses and the Presidency, they tried to take away healthcare for the neediest of our country. They managed to pass a tax bill that shifted two trillion of your money into the hands of the already wealthy. They are now talking about reducing Social Security and Medicare to pay for the tax shortfall they created. To ensure you elect a legislator that represents your best interest, know where they stand on the economics before you cast your vote.
–Bill Wallace, IBEW 1245 North Bay Retirees Club