Rural Pennsylvanians can hear you, you know?
During the height of the SEPTA budget standoff a month ago, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman delivered a searing political lesson: rural constituencies have political power and long memories. Rural Pennsylvanians know what urban Democrats think of them, so when Philadelphia comes to Harrisburg hat in hand, Republicans hand them the receipts.
State Senator Anthony Williams obviously didn’t show up for class that day.
In a press release Friday, Senator Williams, who represents West Philadelphia and parts of Delaware County, called Charlie Kirk “an avowed racist” while lambasting President Trump’s order to fly flags at half-staff in his honor.
After some perfunctory throat-clearing about how murder is wrong, Senator Williams declared that Charlie Kirk “does not deserve to be honored as a hero. He was not one.”
I recently defended a private citizen who said something crass on social media following Charlie Kirk’s murder. Among other reasons, I did so to remind readers that we shouldn’t flatten the moral complexity and worth of our fellow citizens.
My hope was to extend an olive branch to supporters and critics of Kirk alike. Senator Williams took that olive branch and snapped it over his knee. So much for my brief audition as a hippie.
A few issues with Senator Williams’s statement:
- Doesn’t he know it is rude to speak ill of the dead?
- Doesn’t he have something better to do as a state senator, such as passing a constitutionally required budget on time?
- If he is inclined toward cynicism, doesn’t he realize he just fell for what may have been a political trap—hook, line, and sinker? (For what it’s worth, Mayor Cherelle Parker and Governor Josh Shapiro deftly and respectfully navigated this tragic event.)
- And most importantly: Doesn’t he realize that millions of Pennsylvanians supported Charlie Kirk, and those Pennsylvanians send representatives to Harrisburg?!
I know he didn’t exactly call Kirk’s supporters racist, but that is clearly the implication.
Charlie Kirk certainly made plenty of edgy, controversial statements in his short yet jam-packed career as a commentator and activist. Just because he was tragically assassinated doesn’t mean we all suddenly have to like or agree with the guy.
But those in elected politics should answer a higher call. If they refuse this civic responsibility, they should at least be good at politics and realize they need to play well with others if they want to deliver goods and services for their constituents. Senator Williams clearly has no interest in either of these responsibilities. Fair enough.
Philly Democrats, if you find yourself waiting for a behind-schedule SEPTA train or bus, consider this: rural Pennsylvanians listen, and they remember.
Seth Higgins is a native of Saint Marys, Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Philadelphia.
Rather pathetic editorial. Maga is so easily offended. Just more of the endless grievance and self-righteousness. Btw, people living in cities (especially minorities) know how rural people feel about them too, and the GOP in the state senate express that constantly.
we love being called “pennsyltuckians” and racists. we also don’t look to Harrisburg or Philly for moral leadership.
Hey Scooter .you no nothing about the folks in rural Pennsylvania
We are tired of subsidizing the corruption and laziness of Philly powerbrokers
Stay in the city Scooter we take care of our own
I have lived for 80 years in Pennsylvania and until now, did not realize Philadelphia, and its sibling: Harrisburg. were the fountainhead of civic culture and morality. Interestingly, there seems to be no discussion of our civic problems without resorting to both tribal and racial fall back labeling. I guess this is the only way to cover for empty arguments and slavish adherence to poorly thought-out ideologies.