Donnelly doesn’t represent values

To the editor:

For those thinking Joe Donnelly is a moderate and bi-partisan, you should be aware that since joining the Senate, he has voted with Chuck Schumer 84 percent of the time. 

Joe Donnelly often touts how he is the second most bi-partisan senator. However, more recently from the Lugar Center, Donnelly is the fourth most bi-partisan.

I can hear the grumbling, “come on Matt, No. 2, No. 4 what’s the difference?”

I get it. It sounds like I’m splitting hairs to tear down Joe Donnelly, until you realize No. 9 is Indiana’s other senator, Todd Young.

Who would have guessed that?

It shows how little bi-partisanship exists once politicians move to Washington.

On one hand, you have a self-proclaimed moderate and the other a self-proclaimed pro-Trump conservative separated by only five on the bipartisanship rankings. This proves how little it takes to give the appearance of being moderate and bi-partisan.

When given the option to vote pro-life, as he claims to be, Joe Donnelly’s voting record says otherwise. He receives just a 25 percent pro-life voting record from the National Right to Life, but receives a score of 68 percent by the pro-choice Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Planned Parenthood alone ends the lives of 300,000-plus babies each year. That’s three babies in the time it takes for you to read this letter. Planned Parenthood will perform abortions from four weeks to 24 weeks, and yet “pro-life” Joe Donnelly continually votes to provide it federal funding.

A 24-week-old baby, with a statistical 39-percent chance of living had it been born, can be aborted by Planned Parenthood. Does this sound like Hoosier values to you? Joe thinks so.

When given the option to stop the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in 2010, Joe Donnelly voted in favor. Joe Donnelly promised it would increase competition; however, Indiana residents now have only two options on the health insurance marketplace. Joe Donnelly promised if you like your coverage and doctors, the new bill will not force you to change either, but this was proven false.

Health care premiums have increased approximately 60 percent. Obamacare has limited our provider options, limited our doctor options, put government red tape between us and our health and increased our financial burden. Does this sound like Hoosier values to you? Joe thinks so.

When given the opportunity to help Hoosiers reduce their taxes, Joe Donnelly voted no. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has re-invigorated the U.S. economy. Businesses are hiring, and because of the labor shortage, they are increasing wages.

As cited by the Heritage Foundation, a single filer in Indiana can expect a tax decrease of 13 percent, tax savings of $975 and an increase in take-home pay of $16,723 over the next 10 years.

Those who are married and filing jointly with two children in Indiana will see a tax decrease of 15.3 percent, tax savings of $1,718 and an increase in take-home pay of $27,966.

Increased job opportunities, increased wages, decreased taxes and increased investment in Indiana is a real benefit to Hoosiers. In contrast, Joe Donnelly would like the federal government to keep your money and spend it for you. Does this sound like Hoosier values to you? Joe thinks so.

We are on the cusp of a national election with long-term implications. The next elected senator from Indiana could be the deciding vote on abortion funding, health care, tax cuts and Supreme Court justices.

What is best for Hoosiers?

Joe Donnelly has proven time and again that when his vote matters, he will vote with Democrats from California to New York to propagate the liberal agenda. When Joe Donnelly’s vote will not affect the outcome, he votes with conservatives to help keep up his moderate “bi-partisan” appearance.

Joe Donnelly is not moderate and is not working for Hoosier families, Hoosier businesses or most importantly, you.

Do your part and vote, and encourage friends to vote. Stop the liberal agenda and promote Hoosier values, vote for Republican Mike Braun. Vote to continue Making America Great Again.

Matt Minnich

Rural Portland