Lowe's Shows Dignity of Work, Helps Disabled

Lowe's The Union Party never minces words: They believe the best way to help people is to grow government. That’s the message they’ve brought to bear throughout the Corbett Administration, shrieking that the fiscal sanity the governor has begun to impose comes at the expense of the poor and defenseless. And it’s the very same thing you hear nationally, particularly if, let’s say, you’re a former think tank staffer running for vice president who thinks dependence on government programs doesn’t help people, but rather hurts them.

Gov. Corbett isn’t perfect. But he is exactly right that there is great dignity in work, and that if you can work, a job is much better not just for the state budget, but for you, than a check from Harrisburg. That’s why I was thrilled several months back when his welfare chief, Gary Alexander, told the story in a CF podcast of a Lowe’s facility in northeastern Pennsylvania that gives disabled people the opportunity to work. It is an opportunity, and we in the Taxpayer Party must say so boldly. Yes, there are some who can’t seize that opportunity, but there are many who can, and we disserve them by making them dependent upon politicians.

All of that will show you why I was so excited this morning to find a story on that Lowe’s facility in the Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice, thanks to a recent visit from Gov. Corbett and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley. Here’s a portion:

Lowe’s employs 62 disabled workers at its Jenkins Township facility, including 41-year-old shipper Chad Guerrero of Swoyersville, who suffers from an optic nerve disease.

Guerrero, a married father of two children, said having the job means everything to him. Lowe’s also employs people who are mentally challenged and deaf, he said.

“Everyone wants to provide their family and people with disabilities are no different. It’s tremendous that I can do this for my family,” Guerrero said. “We’re not a liability. We’re an asset. We work just as well as anyone else, in fact, even better.”

Fred Sampson, vice president of distribution for Lowe’s, said hiring people with disabilities has been a “blessing.”

“I like to think it’s a secret,” Sampson said. “Many people don’t even realize that these folks are here with their abilities.

“It’s a little secret, but we’ll share it with anyone who wants to know.”

Read the whole thing. And be encouraged! The policies we prescribe are the best for all Pennsylvanians, and we should say so loudly and proudly.