I want to understand why a voter in Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District would support an incumbent who consistently backs policies — and a president — that appear to conflict with their economic self-interest. Most voters in the district are middle class, earning roughly $45,000 to $135,000 a year. What explains continued support for this congressman?

The economic policies he endorses have not significantly increased median household wealth. Instead, they have shifted financial risk onto working families and contributed to rising inequality. This is not an accusation of bad faith, but a critique of how these policies function in practice.

Market-driven, “trickle-­down” approaches can promote growth under certain conditions. However, history shows they rarely strengthen the middle class unless balanced by strong labor protections, social insurance, fair taxation and effective cost controls in areas like health care and housing. Without these counterweights, gains tend to concentrate at the top, while wages stagnate and costs rise for middle-­income households. Small businesses — key job creators — often suffer as well.

Given these outcomes, it is difficult to see how such policies serve the long-term economic interests of most voters in this district. His support for cultural or divisive rhetoric cannot replace a strong middle-class economic foundation.

Robert Pennline

Mt. Pleasant

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