A biography for John Fettermanhasn’t been written yet.
“I'm so happy about Biden. I love a boring president. It's such a relief. You just have so much more confidence in our government.”
“Climate change is real, and we need to work on a comprehensive approach. We eliminated sulfur dioxide in the air, and got rid of acid rain. We got rid of lead in gasoline. You can achieve these things when the private and public sectors work together.”
“When I first ran for mayor in 2005, I made a pledge to confront the epidemic of gun violence in Braddock.”
“Once one of the most important steel manufacturing centers in the world, Braddock - what's left of it - solemnly affirms one of the great economic maxims of our society: socialism for the rich, and capitalism for the poor.”
“The grip of the NRA is so suffocating in Washington that politicians are too afraid of the gun lobby to pass even the most sensible reforms, like universal background checks.”
“In order to maintain American democracy we need to tackle the problematic influence of big money donors, corporate political action committees and dark money contributions. We must put an end to partisan gerrymandering and the blatant attempts at voter suppression being pushed in Republican-led states across the country.”
“I'm not a social butterfly.”
“Jake Corman, he and I disagree on issues politically, but Jake Corman is not a bad guy.”
“We use art to combat the dark side of capitalism.”
“For a lot of people, most of their exposure to politics and politicians involves events on the campaign trail, interviews on cable news, or seeing a viral tweet here or there. But day to day, there's so much more than anyone sees.”
“I've said to workers that I don't care what you agree with me on politically - I hope it's as many things as possible - but one thing that you and I absolutely agree on is that your right to organize, your right to a good wage, your right to benefits, your right to participate in the value that your hard work creates.”
“You know, all work has dignity. I fundamentally believe that. So all paychecks must have dignity.”
“The Black Lives Matter movement has brought to the national conversation many of the inequalities I've worked to confront here in Braddock. I'm so grateful it has because we need to realize that as far as the way America treats African-Americans, black lives don't matter in this country.”
“I decided that I wanted to spend my career fighting inequality rather than making myself more comfortable.”
“My dad was a union grocery worker in ShopRite in Reading. That helped keep the family together while he went to college. He ended up graduating and got a job as an underwriter and then transitioned into the agency side in York, Pennsylvania, and eventually became successful, at least certainly in comparison to his parents.”
“Whether it's leaders from my own town of Braddock or leaders across the state in Bucks County or Adams County, I'm committed to always working with and listening to local elected leaders.”
“Braddock looks every bit the deserted battlefield it truly is: 90 percent of our town's people, buildings, businesses, and homes are gone and what remains, bears witness to the torment.”
“I said you could sue a ham sandwich. It's not going to change anything. Well, you can audit a ham sandwich, and it's not going to change anything.”
“Like how on earth can you make 180 grand as a senator with luxe health care and sit there and be like Nero, thumbs up or down, on paying someone a living wage? I don't understand that.”
“Back in 1995, I quit my job and joined AmeriCorps at the Hill House in Pittsburgh's legendary Hill District.”