Corey O'Connor: Joe Biden will get Western Pa. back to work, and here’s how

Last week, President Trump held a campaign rally at Pittsburgh International Airport. Had he ventured past the airport, he would have met Pittsburghers who have lost jobs, health care and the dignity that comes from a hard day’s work. He likely would have looked in the eyes of people who listened to his promises four years ago, but haven’t seen him deliver on them since.

Throughout his presidency, Trump has been unwilling or unable to do the hard work that is required of a president. By speaking just steps away from his plane, without setting foot in the neighborhoods struggling because of the economic tailspin his administration created, he can continue to live under the illusion that his actions, or inactions, do not have consequences.

Pittsburgh was built on hard work and grit. We’ve never been a city that shies away from something because it is hard — we buckle down and get to work. After four years, it could not be more evident that Trump doesn’t share these qualities.

Last month, Joe Biden came to my district to speak at Mill 19, a state-of-the-art robotics facility that sits where one of the country’s busiest steel mills was built during World War II. The surrounding development of the 178-acre Hazelwood Green site site shows that change and innovation happen, but that’s because of workers in places like Pittsburgh, not at the expense of them.

Luckily for us, we have the chance to elect a new president — someone who shares our values and understands the dignity of hard work. Biden knows that it’s towns and cities like ours that built this country. When Biden thinks about fixing our economy, he thinks of Main Street in cities and towns like Pittsburgh and Scranton — not Wall Street. And in the face of our current struggles, he is ready to get to work alongside Pittsburghers building the country and the economy back better than it was before.

As president, Biden will create millions of jobs by mobilizing the talent, determination and innovation of the American people. He will leverage the full power of the federal government to bolster our industrial strength and ensure the future is “Made in All of America” — including in Pittsburgh. Biden believes Pittsburgh workers and other American workers can outcompete anyone — and it’s the government’s job to fight for them.

Biden will strengthen and enforce “buy American” so that the massive amount of taxpayer money the federal government spends every year on everything from defense equipment to steel to auto fleets is used to help American manufacturers and their workers. Pittsburgh companies and institutions get about $1 billion per year in government contracts that help to create local jobs — and could have the opportunity for more, but under the Trump administration, government contracts awarded directly to foreign companies are up 30%.

As president, Biden will invest in our nation’s aging infrastructure — including the bridges and tunnels in Pittsburgh that play a vital role in commerce. He’ll also bring back critical supply chains to America so we aren’t dependent on China or any other country for the production of critical goods like medical supplies in a crisis — bringing home good-paying jobs with the option to join a union in the process.

Finally, Biden will make sure every American has access to quality, affordable health care. Obamacare ensured that more than one in four Pittsburgh residents with preexisting conditions could not be denied insurance, and gave 479,000 Pennsylvanians peace of mind that comes with insurance. But Trump is in court trying to overturn the entire law in the middle of a pandemic. Biden would protect and build on Obamacare by providing a public option and lowering costs for care and for prescription drugs. He’ll also lower the Medicare eligibility age, providing a new option for those ages 60-64.

A good leader will work with communities like ours to build a better economic future. If you, like me, are ready for a president that will follow through on the promises that they make to working communities, then join me in voting for Joe Biden.

Corey O’Connor is a member of Pittsburgh City Council.