Biden’s Policies Would Hurt New Bedford [OPINION]

When the nation's economy catches a cold, New Bedford gets the flu.

New Bedford is a less affluent, working-class community that has struggled with education attainment issues. Keeping young people here or getting them to return after they've left the area for school or military service has been a challenge.

Massachusetts and New Bedford are magnets for illegal immigrants due to the generosity of our borderline socialist lawmakers on Beacon Hill and the absence of serious political opposition. Work is harder to find in New Bedford. Property taxes are high, as are many residents who suffer from addiction issues.

Joe Biden's policy proposals are bad for a city like New Bedford. Ending fracking and fossil fuels would mean a sharp increase in gas prices and a dependence once more on foreign oil. President Trump has made America energy independent and that means lower costs for the working people of New Bedford.

Repealing the Trump tax cuts would mean less take-home pay for local workers. A $15 national minimum wage would result in job losses. Many New Bedford businesses are already struggling with closures and restrictions imposed by state and local leaders as a result of COVID-19.

Medicare for all, including illegal aliens, would decimate coverage for our aging population. Many area seniors are struggling already to meet their health needs with the current Medicare program.

Open borders would mean a flood of new refugees who would put a crushing burden on our already overburdened schools and public safety services. New Bedford has closed fire and police stations and cannot meet current net school spending requirements.

And that's just the beginning.

Mayor Jon Mitchell and former Mayor Scott Lang, both Democrats, are toeing the party line with little regard to what their candidate's proposals would do to the people of New Bedford.

Joe Biden's policies are bad for New Bedford. A responsible local leader would put the best interests of the citizens ahead of their party's interests.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.