As we close out October, there are so many issues that seem to bring negativity to our American Spirit. I believe in the two-party system, and Republicans and Democrats work for the American people. Lost in the world of today is the having of a beer and a sandwich together after Congress breaks. This so they can look each other in the eye, away from all the political influence, sound bites, and pressure. Then shake hands, say, “I will see you tomorrow,” and vote together for that compromise. I know this is the way things used to work in Washington.

When I woke up early this past Friday morning, there was exactly my vision of the past and what the future needs to bring, displayed by no other than Pennsylvania’s two senators, Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat John Fetterman. No, the two weren’t having that beer and sandwich; they were outside Congress on their own, with a simple message. Together, they had both voted 23 times to end this budget impasse and provide the paychecks and benefits that so many Pennsylvanians desperately need. Together, they went old-school and common-sense, which I write about on a regular basis.

I have been clear over the years, no matter who controlled Congress, there should never be a budget impasse. This negatively affects the American worker, the American citizen, and especially the children who depend upon both. Our elected officials need to be better than that.

I can’t imagine asking anyone who protects our Nation to go without a paycheck. I can’t imagine cutting off SNAP benefits without notification. At least our state attempted to do this. For those of you who may have the thought that these are for the illegals, unworking, or I must not know about the corruption. You’re completely wrong in trying to justify suspending any program in this manner.

If the system needs to be reformed, it needs to be done the right way. I think many underestimate how many working poor American families need these, as well as those that physically can’t work. Regardless, with the wealth and the food our Nation is blessed with, no American should ever go hungry.

I will end this part of my column with a Webb Weekly tip of my cap with the American flag on the side to senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman.

I ended last week’s column about Jimmy and Hunter’s Pop-Pop Webb, who lost his battle to cancer, by saying that the best chance possible to battle this dreaded disease is through early detection. Little did I know that, after these words were in your mailbox, I would receive some very blessed news from my nephew, Jed, and his dad, Brian.

If you remember my column on March 26th, “Hope Springs Eternal,” covered everything from Loyalsock’s state championship in girls hoops to how close-knit sports make folks, especially through the battle against cancer. I ended the column with the fact that my nephew Jed, at 19 years old, had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I asked for you to add Jed to your prayer list. Many of you did and continued to ask about him as he went through the treatment process. I tried to be close-lipped about what was going on. The call I received from Jed and Brian was what we all were praying for and what I was waiting to tell you. Jed’s cancer is in remission. Thank you to everyone for those prayers, love, and caring.

There are a couple of folks I would like to mention and thank; it would be impossible for me to cover them all. Hopefully, in the future, I will provide Jed the opportunity to do this, but right now, I think it’s important just to let him be a 20-year-old young man. First, and in reference to the early detection, I would like to thank PA Sammy Esposito. He is closely tied to the Webb family, as his dad and my mother-in-law are brother and sister. Through God’s work, Jed ended up with Sammy, who helped provide that early detection.
Next stop is our area baseball coaches at the high school level, led by Hughesville Head Coach Chris Kish. How they all rallied together and supported Jed at a most needed time was amazing. This includes my son, Jimmy, at Loyalsock.

This leads me to another longtime friend, Penn College Manager Chris Howard. The support of his coaches and team was equally as amazing. Together, the area baseball community helped provide much-needed help to curb the cost to Jed. Which can be overwhelming when you’re just starting out as a 19-year-old kid. Probably even more important was the love and support of having this large extended team behind him.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Penn College Assistant Coach Heath Heller and Larry Allison. They’re also tied to the Webb family through sports and graduating with my brother Brian from Loyalsock.

Please do not allow the negativity of the world around you to take away from how blessed will all are to call the United States of America home. There may be challenges, there may be problems, but they can be overcome. This can often be witnessed during the most difficult times of your journey through life.

God Bless America.