Politics are more polarized and contentious than ever, and the result is that we “regular people” suffer. We need elected officials who will fight when needed, and also forge collaborations when that is what’s required. For years, Joe Kennedy has demonstrated that he is that leader.
Kennedy is one of the strongest voices against Donald Trump and his corrupt administration. He delivered the Democratic response to Trump’s first State of the Union address (2018), and used that platform to denounce Trump’s hate and division, and stand with marginalized people, immigrants, Black Lives, and others. It was a powerful statement (in English and Spanish), and Kennedy has never let up. At the same time, Kennedy is able to work with reasonable Republicans to get things done.
Kennedy is also a powerful force for building coalitions within the Democratic party. He works to elevate other candidates, and used his skills and energy to help Democrats regain control of the House in 2018. He travelled to 18 states to do it. In more than 45 years in Congress, Ed Markey has never shown the interest or ability to do this critical work. In fact, as he tries to win re-election, Markey’s campaign has unfortunately embraced division, using underhanded tactics and name-calling, and ignoring (at best) the same in his supporters.
We need leaders to bring people together to pass (and protect) critical agenda items, like healthcare. Many of us have been in a position where we lost our healthcare, where we were pushed to the curb and left behind, despite paying taxes and contributing to our country all our lives. That’s not civilization, or even basic humanity. Kennedy knows it, and isn’t afraid to say it, like he did in his “act of malice” speech defending the Affordable Care Act when then-House Speaker Paul Ryan tried yet again to strip healthcare from millions of Americans.
I want a senator who stands up for us, in Lynn, the Commonwealth, and the country. Kennedy does that. He knows what we need because he spends most of his time in Massachusetts, and is a regular in cities and towns across the state (including Lynn). He appeals to the best in us, and fights for it. Kennedy could have coasted to easy re-election in the House, but he is fighting to do more in the Senate. Service is in his marrow. We should send Joe Kennedy to the Senate now.
Mark Lauranzano
Lynn
