Blog #4

In the blog, Town Hall , the author scrutinizes Democrats for focusing America's agenda on Russia’s potential involvement in the 2016 Presidential election. The author uses personal testimonies to support his argument that political leaders need to be more concerned with other prominent issues in the United States which do not include Russia and its involvement with the United States. In the article, the author uses many personal testimonies to persuade political leaders that they need to focus on other issues occurring in America. The author interviews a citizen in Tennessee who “lost everything… We can’t afford healthcare… We didn’t qualify for Obamacare, we didn’t qualify for Medicaid, and we can’t afford to buy health insurance. We’re the ones that fall through the cracks” (“Rural America to Congress And the Media: We Don’t Care About Russia”, Vespa). By the citizen stating that they are unable to have insurance because they are financially unstable, it demonstrates that political leaders need to resolve problems which are occurring in the U.S. instead of being concerned about Russia. 

In addition, another citizen claims “I’m worried about job creation. I’m worried about tax cuts…We’re out here struggling and these people don’t get it” (“Rural America to Congress And the Media: We Don’t Care About Russia”, Vespa). By more than one citizen being affected by financial issues due to incompetent political leaders, it enhances the author’s argument. Therefore, more citizens are affected by political leaders focusing on the issues with Russia. The author appears to be credible by using personal testimonies. Overall, the personal testimony enhances the author’s argument by making the reader feel empathetic to the person who is being affected by the issue.