To the editor:
A letter to the editor titled "Know who you are voting for" from Oct. 28 attempted to take a cheap shot at myself and the local Democratic Party. Contrary to the foolish assumption made by the author, I'm a proud Democrat who has no interest in hiding it or trying to trick anyone into believing otherwise. The Democratic Party is the only party that stands for the working class people of this county.
The Democratic Party is the party that passed substantial legislation during the first two years of the Biden Administration, with critical assistance from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, that actually had a positive impact for the people of this county. The new STEM addition to Steubenville High School is one of many examples. The Republican Party did nothing and a large majority of them even voted against it.
When the Republican Party is in power, they have proven time and again that they only care about policies that help the wealthy, while simultaneously hurting the poor. If you're wealthy enough to benefit from their tax cuts, then it would be understandable why you'd support them. But, if you aren't one of the few fortunate folks who get a boost from those policies, then to vote for anyone other than the Democrats would be giving the people who are against you the power to get their way over you.
The author of that letter did get one thing right when he stated this region was once reliably Democratic. That's because the Democratic Party is the one party that repeatedly passed legislation that benefited the people of our region. In addition, the Democratic Party has always been made up of diverse coalitions that stand up for the disenfranchised, for the underprivileged and for the working class and poor people of our great country. We also defend and stand with people who are unjustly discriminated against.
Democrats believe in the power and wisdom of the U.S. Constitution. We don't pledge fealty to a wanna be dictator or to the cult of personality, we pledge allegiance to our flag and our country. We stand for what is right and just and fair.
So, the next time someone tells you the local Democrats are afraid of telling you who we are and what we stand for, then I'll be happy to set them straight right here and right now.
I'm a proud Democrat because I believe the Democratic Party stands for and with the people of Jefferson County.
If you were once a Democrat locally but changed your affiliation to support the former president, there's nothing wrong with changing back to the party that truly represents you and your family's best interests. We'd be happy to welcome you back.
Eddie Abdalla
Chairman
Jefferson County
Democratic Party