"I had to decide which bills not to pay to be here in this room today. Believe me, I've pulled myself up by the bootstraps so many damn times I ripped 'em off." Really powerful stuff!
Relatively speaking, it's really not a huge amount. There are far bigger wastes of our public funds. These days people want their representatives to look and act poor, thinking it'll make a difference in the plight of the people. Used to be people wanted their representatives to present themselves well.
@@erad67 erad67 whether the furniture budget is relative or not is unimportant. When they take Office, the office itself comes furnished. If something breaks fix it. If it can't be fixed then replace it. Look for savings not the best of the best each year. They don't need to replace their furniture each term. $40,000 a year per Official can help fund free lunch programs for schools. Help Community Food Pantries. Help Meals on Wheels programs. And so much more.
She speaks so eloquently and full of passion. She touched on the most sensitive subjects that are pushed to the back with absolute gut wrenching accuracy. I just want to hug this woman.
@@Ykyoulovekitfs That too. I agree. Some medications have long term health effects that won't see the light of day for years still to come. I'm looking at you, SSRI's
@@johnturtle6649 Yes exactly SSRI's put weight on people! I don't take SSRI's. Even other meds that aren't mental health medicines put weight on you. Prednisone, steroids etc.. It's crazy! I'm overweight and being poor I can't buy what it takes to lose, however I watch what I eat and don't over eat. Doctor said it's a lot of the medicines I take! Ugh! I've just learned to accept it, due to so many health issues I can't be active like I use too. Sucks!
We need someone like her to be president. In those 5 minutes, she spoke more truth of what millions of Americans lives are really like than any politician I've ever heard.
I grew up in this used to hold whiskey in my mouth because I had gotten teeth and we couldn't afford to get them fixed in the 90's. I was, I think, 10.
Congress should pay minimum wage, and maybe then we won't have the same trash representatives decade after decade. Politics wasn't supposed to be a career. Let these halfwits get a real job and do their "public servant" duties on an as-needed basis
As a centralist in the world of politics, I like to hear all sides of the glories and pains of all red-blooded Americans. This particular video grabbed my heart and ripped it out. This woman has a serious point, no matter what side of the fence you are. Listen to her story and take heed. She's not bending any truths, she's not telling any lies. Everything is right on point. As a business owner, I can sympathize with her feelings and her pure gumption to get up there in front of the senate and speak her mind. This woman amazes me. I want to hug her.
3:03 Senators, representatives, delegates don't care about poverty and how much this woman makes. They care about their own. They had all the time in the world and opportunity to change the poverty situation and they did nothing. Also its not a new profound information, they know exactly what is the situation but they don't care at all as long as it doesnt affect them. Vote for the ones who care... if you want a change.
I love this! I saw it 6/22/22, and yes, it still hits home. Here I am, very well BELOW the poverty line. I work my butt off every day to support one child and myself, and I have to pay a light bill this month (350$ a month, wow), and I guess my water bill for this month, next month. I got denied SNAP because I went back to college (online, though), and can't participate in the work study program, because I'm in Virginia and my college is in Arizona. Now how does that make any sense? My light bill takes almost 2 checks, I'm lucky to make 1200 month. I don't know what world they live in, because it sure isn't mine. I have gone hungry many nights because my son was still hungry...and I will do that whenever necessary. I'm a veteran, yet even after serving my country, THIS is where I'm at..this is where "we" are at. It is truly unsettling, even disgusting, that they can spend more than TRIPLE my yearly income, on office furniture. Shows us poor folks our worth, doesn't it?
I don't care who takes credit for passing legislation which helps people like this woman as long as it gets done. This should be a bipartisan supported change. The race should be to see who can help the quickest
That’s the problem. We have to stop looking to government and stop them from making regulations that stifle the free market. We can’t tax people into poverty to make the poor wealthier. We have to let the free market work and stop with all the taxing without representation.
@@ddale20 Please tell me more about how we are going to tax Jeff Bezos into poverty. Who is being taxed that is not represented? Yeah great idea, let’s remove regulations like the minimum wage so that big corporations can pay even less. That would be GREAT for places like Walmart. Pay their employees less so that you the tax payers and make up for it when their employees file for section 8 housing, food stamps, Medicare, and all sorts of things. If you want lower taxes, make big corporations like Walmart and Amazon pay their employees so that YOU don’t have to.
This is so powerful. Well said and delivered with as much passion as she has for the issue. I would be honored to have her as a representative. We need people like her in congress.
She's an asset to America. I am sharing this as far and wide as I can. All I could do was shake my head in agreement at everything she said . I know first hand about coming up in poverty .I know even after growing up about it too. It's hardening to so many and pushes others right over the edge . She has my deepest respect!
@@amyhutchison1473 what came of this???? And THANK YOU!!!! I don't know your politics and don't care!! Thank you for putting it perfectly!! The cloves hit home sooo much... having to go to Walmart to buy fish antibiotics because going to the ER would be too much burden financially. Something none of our representatives seem to be able to comprehend or care about once they make it to the seat or chair. I hope something good for all Americans comes from this.
Ms.Hutchinson absolutely captured everything i wish i could say on behalf of so many families in the US. I was so moved and proud to have her as a member of my state. I was beyond moved, we as a country need to do better because we can do better.
@Ash Hegde All your comment shows is the level of selective knowledge u have. I pray you never age or be hit on hard times while being a parent or have to need assistance while being told u make too much. People can still be educated, plan for children and still hit hard times. Most people in the US are just a paycheck away from homelessness. Her point was she does what's expected and it's still not enough and that new standards need to be set. But alas I'm sure you only see and hear what you want to hear.
@Ash Hegde rape, divorce, loss of employment, death the list goes on. There's way more to life than just "stop having kids irresponsibly". Even from an economic standpoint poverty levels have risen and so should the threshold to account for them.
@Ash Hegde If all of humanity was able to adequately save past 7 figures. You wouldn't have issues with poverty..... Lmao you are a complete fool at this point lmaoo. Have a nice life. Enjoy your 7 figures. "Arguing with an intelligent person is difficult, Arguing with an idiot is impossible."
Mrs Hutchinson, I pray that you see how much support you have. We here in England are in very similar circumstances. The only thing we have is the NHS and we aren't sure that that isn't going to be done away with in the next couple of years. God bless you. You delivered that to perfection. I pray that the world hears your message Thank you and God bless you again. ❤❤❤
Wow, nothing but POWERFUL. It amazes me how people completely turn a blind eye to what's actually TRUTH and VERY REAL!!!! I'm tired of hearing about: well they should spend their money this way, or stop eating out/ doing drugs. Pull yourself up by the boot straps. The best one yet, although some do this, Living out of your means. We all live different lives and have way different experiences due to our regions, state, county, city, and neighborhood. So much corruption goes on that it's only hurting the poor, and they claim they're helping. Instead of helping we bash them, create some sort of reasoning on why they're down bad. Its woman like her, who folks will probably call progressive, we need more of. It's why we need to NOT turn a blind eye in local and state politics. Read what you can! Try to understand what you may be misinformed on!! I'm not going to blame the current administration in office, it's the entire govt for years playing us. Okay, end rant lol
Yep, that's the thing, ain't it? Affording food, clothes, and medication...or having to work double shifts 5-6 days a week to make ends meet shouldn't be "above our means"
Such articulate, passionate words of wisdom that need to be said by every single one of us in every town hall, every committee, every email, every phone call, every rally, every opportunity we have to raise our voices because I am personally very tired of resigning myself to the way things are. Ms. Hutchison captured the truth that all of us live and work among poverty understand so clearly and her testimony will do nothing if left to fall as a singular voice. This entire comment feed needs to start screaming. I know I am. Ever grateful for your testimony.
Thank you for eloquently sharing the experience of so many. It’s time Americans who are only worried about taxes put a face & a story to their vote. Shame on those who are voting for Trump! Those who don’t find this heartbreaking lack morals & human decent.
You are absolutely right. Federal money is wasted people do what they want to has the money in the budget. I'm a women God bless you, thank you very much for being strong and speaking out.
Everything you said was what so many millions of people in this country would say to congress,given the chance. Thank you so much for getting this message out there. It's way past time for our government to get there heads out of there asses and do something for our people here that need the help. Thank you so much for your words, you will be in my prayers, God bless 🙏😇💛
Amidst the disgusting truths you deliver so vivedly and courageous, you made me realize, there are good people out there. You inspire me, and I hope many others; to be good, do good, for the value of goodness in itself. With tears i my eyes and with outmost respect; thank you Ms Hutchison
This made me cry. Both my sister and I are in school and we can not get part time jobs to help out because my parents life depends on the medicine that is very expensive. Even if we did get jobs, we would lose everything just for a couple extra hundred dollars. It’s a messed up system so that the rich keep getting rich. And we remain the same. 🥺
I feel this woman's pain. I work a living wage for a single person. Not one with 2 kids living at home, which I have. I work in an office in Tech Support, not fast food, and still don't make enough to live comfortably. I don't qualify for any benefits so we are living off of what I make. I shouldn't have to ask my teenage children to work to pay my bills. :(
Outstanding!!! I started life 'well off', then dad split, mom moved us and i grew up poor. So poor, that I was the poorest kid in Jr High and High School. Got my 1st job at 15. Had to get legally emancipated at 16, so my now ailing mother could get assistance for medical and food stamps. I've had jobs that paid obscene amounts of money and I've been on the edge of homeless even with a full time job. Because of a drunk driver, I was crippled at the age of 43. I've not worked since, I'm 55 and I can't get SSI because a judge decided that even with over 1000 medical documents, she chose NOT to believe the medical evidence. Five blocks up the street from me, they're putting in hundreds of new $500k to $1 million dollar homes, while 5 blocks in the other direction is a gas station where 4 of the guys working there (full-time $15 an hour) are LIVING IN THEIR CARS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO GET AN APARTMENT. And, they can't even pool their money together to get a place, because apartment managers insist that a SINGLE applicant's income equals at least 3 times the rental amount, and the rents are $1200 on up around Portland, OR these days..... The poverty guidelines are in need of some MAJOR, realistic adjustment. People are dying out here, literally. Suicide rates are climbing, homelessness has become and epidemic and mental illness is off the charts. Something's got to give......
The price of housing is crazy. Also that city will be a ghost town as the democrats, BLM and everyone like them have taxxed the working too much and they are leaving and to finish it off the lefty lunatics are burning down their own cities.
Thank you so much for your brilliant and moving presentation Ms. Hutchison. This is the best description of what millions of American families go through every day to survive. To me you are a hero if you touched so many people like myself with your explanation of survival for the working poor. I'm sharing this video every way I can, and if I don't get a response I'll share it again and again to get as many people to watch and share as well. Of course the real people who need to watch are the ones in power, obviously, that is why I wish the news media would share this important talk instead of the repetitive crap they feed us! Good luck to you and your family in West Virginia, and thank you from everyone who is fortunate to watch this incredible speech.
It's probably no longer 40k, or that where it is at currently base of inflation. Cause she says it goes up based on inflation if I understood her correctly.
Yes I cried too watching her testimony over and over....but you know what?! As heartbreakingly touching as it is.....it doesn't matter because I know firsthand how hitting a nerve in people the way I speak doesn't change them, I am houseless!! it's not that simple, and the fact that this chairman is condescending with "I think we just heard why we're here today" but Mr. chairman, what have you done in the 2 years since these hearings to make changes?! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! why do you think that half the congressman chairs up there are empty?! Because half of them don't want to be there to hear the truth in their face!!
That's some real shit. This hit so close to home it made me cry. I love her passion and courage to speak truth to power. My wife and I are playing who gets to see the dentist. I can still chew on my left side. She's got pain on both sides. We want to have another child to bring our grand total to 2. But the money it will cost for the hospital stay and my wife's medication will be crippling. The schools where I live are horrendous. We are gerrymandered so all the surrounding sold have surpluses but our little city gets lou gotts(nothing)
This is heartbreaking and I'm at the pantry right now. I have to move because my house I lived in for years was sold. I can't find anything I can afford or qualify for because You have to make 3 times the rent and no job is paying that Indiana. I have been in corporate America for over 20 years, 8 years of college and just got offered 15 an hour in my last job interview. All they did was clap at this meeting. Nothing has changed. It has gotten worse. Pay attention at the polls when you vote because your life depends on it.
Good video, and unfortunately fell on deaf ears in that room. People have to put the pressure on their government in order to change anything because the government is always like little bratty kids, they'll get away with as much as they can while they can.
I have lived in Wa my whole life and the prices are driving people out. The California ideas are moving have moved to my state. My rent has been going up 50$ to 100$ a year, food up , car insurance up.
I'm from Olympia but just moved to Georgia so I can actually own property. I have a small farm for what I could have had a cottage with street parking in Washington. :( I still miss home every day though.
The Inflation we have seen is unsupported in WA. We pay 1700$ a month to rent a 2Br Apt and we make 60k a year. Jobs lost by retiree's who had a great ride thanks to Presidents like FDR. Where the can retire and have money coming in. Medicare, a great program! While not perfect, does it not take care of those who make it past 65? In my profession we have 30% of the workforce over 50 yoa and making over 600% more in many area's since they graduated in the 60's and 70's. Jobs are scarce in my line of work because the figures they use to decide how many graduates to send into the workforce was overestimated alot! School was nothing cost-wise compared to now. What a life it must be. The younger people ask for the same healthcare that is expensive for those under 65 but not so much if your over 60 or choose 65 to collect. Does Bernie Sanders ask too much? Do you think an investment into educating American children will not put us in a better future tomorrow? Anyone wjo understands how health Insurance works and howbits paid for doesnt question how much it costs. Not when it coats 350k to send a soldier overseas or 30+ ICBM's and a million and a half each to an abandoned airbase in Syria. Have we lost our common sense?
I live in California and it's true... no one can stay here with the rent increases, especially when nothing gets fixed or they take their time fixing it. It's a lie...
I live in rural Georgia and while housing is still "affordable", my home and auto insurance go up 15-20% every year, despite never filing a claim. I really hope after healthcare is sorted out, something can be done about those. It is insane.
Thank you, I also was a single Mom and nothing has changed in 30 years, I work 3 jobs and overtime and still could not make ends meet, this is for all parents who have this struggled, because we are poor. To really be honest both of these parties have really done nothing for me!
I am okay with single mothers getting some welfare assistance. If they already work 2 jobs, and still cant make ends meet, provided that shes working minimum wage jobs. Then ok, let the welfare step in and help her. Single father too, not just mother. But I have a problem over how the welfare systems, they just simply give money just like that. Some of these people on welfare, they are young and they had minor injuries but they managed to get disability benefits. I mean I dont buy it if they say they cant work. You cant even do a desk job? Its ironic how the welfare is so strict with single mothers like the story she said of a woman got promoted that had all her benefits taken away because of that promotions. But yet being so lenient towards lazy people abusing the system. Cant they at least wait a few years until that lady have enough increment to finally be able to make ends meet before they take back her benefits. The welfare system is very broken.
Thank you for your powerful speech I watched this and then watched it agiain with my daughter and it hit home a lot we totally can understand you and what your saying we live it everyday bless you bless your heart and your family
They should play this at every single senate hearings, in every state, year after year, to remind our government. How many billions did we send to Eastern Europe??
Preach it! I agree with her. I have enough trouble making ends meet and I'm on my own. I can't imagine trying to feed children on one salary. Unless you are destitute there seems to be little help available. Makes me sick.😠
This type of treatment by the government has kept me from any chance of realizing any form of the "American Dream". 70 hours a week barely pays the rent. Sickning.
As a WV state worker in a full time position that requires a bachelors degree, who lives in poverty, even with a working husband, after 9 years of service who got her first raise in year 8 because of the teacher strike. This is TRUTH. Ms. Hutchison speaks TRUTH. Our lawmakers, judges, etc. have had serious increases in salary and I still live in poverty. We don’t get raises for good work, skills, or service. Instead, many workers decide to jump around positions to see any increase in pay which means funds go into training new workers instead of retaining workers. I love what I do. I love serving my community. I have stuck with it thinking, “I’m bound to get a raise when it’s time”. That time didn’t come because the government decided to reward service and competency, it came because teachers went on strike.
Been there through two sisters, myself and butt loads of friends ....she is 1000000 times right !!!! More recently before the coronavirus I was eating ramen , losing weight and teeth....as soon there is a national catastrophe food stamps went up to what they really should be (according to the guidelines) and now since the virus is gone so probably will the rest of my teeth soon disappear ....and no way to replace them !!!
@@Nelcomarproductions Given that all of the 1st world countries except america seem to have figured it out, I think we could give it a go. Are you saying that America isn't good enough, that we can't do it as well as Slovenia, Hungary, or France? I would gladly pay more in taxes for this with all the extra fucking money I had from not paying into healthcare premiums every month. I have a decent plan and its still $75 for a visit to get a doctor's confirmation that I'm sick. I could have figured that out by the fact that I couldn't breathe right for a week straight. It took two visits to sort out what was wrong and get the right antibiotics. Again, I have a decent plan but that still cost me $150, another $70 in X-rays and $5 for some generic antibiotic on top of the near $800/mo. that my plan costs my employer and I.
@@TheReedsofEnki yeah except long wait times and low quality. Economics are not on your side when it comes to socialized healthcare. Also that so called extra money you would be saving will go in taxes. also those countries have smaller populations than us. Another factor you forget.
As a a Republican I agree .goverment need reallocate funds from there pockets to adjust snap and other funds so people can deal with Walmart stealing local businesses.
@Agent J Considering Obama's first day as President was January 20, 2009, no. That would be Bush Jr. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Economic_Stabilization_Act_of_2008
A very powerful testimony that comes from the ❤️.!! This down heading started since 80s,,yes it did,,,,people didn't pay attention to what was going on with politicians,,mostly g.o.p & some Dems...!!!!!! Now is the time to stand up ,,,,be heard...get involve,,,educate ur selves,, you can change it for better,,,,after all it's in your ✋ ✋ ✋ s,,,!!! *** WWAAARRENN*** **** VOTE****
This is so true. I knew people who were making about $250.00 to $275.00per month, working full time. They were told, if they made $5.00more they would have lost insurance & had to pay $300.00 a month or more to cotver their family. Now you wonder why people stay on assistance. That is why. People should be worth more then furniture in ones office. The government needs to get its priorities straight. Assistance should help people to become independent , not make people dependent on them, & that is what they do. When you are on assistance, you are punished for trying to better yourself, not rewarded. In collusion , the blame is on the government, not the people!
This is why they all need to be voted out. Both parties made it where men couldn't be in the home and the federal poverty guidelines are still based off of that number we really need for both parties Want to control the public instead of representing it why cant congress salaries reflect the median income of the district.
@Jesus Anaya why not even so welfare wouldn't be able to be under attack if Bill Clinton didn't sign the 1996 welfare to work act that pretty much made this able to happen and it's a lie what trump wants to do is enforce the rule under this bill obama used the waiver rule that said if unemployment is so high you can have waive the work requirements when trump got in enforced the work requirements the unemployment rate fail. The Democrats didn't pass a minimum wage act for the eight year they had the white house or the 4 year they had both houses of Congress they dont care just like the Reppublican I'm a realist the crime bill welfare reform and the invest and opportunity act of the 1990 are the reason why we have socialist running for office along with bush and Obama bailouts that didn't let the ression run its course and make people live within there means and made millionaires into billionaires
As long as corporate interests are whoring themselves to politicians within the walls of both aisles of Congress there are, and those that are willing to "buy into" that system, voting them out won't do anything, the politicians are a symptom, the root are these special interest groups that help companies, not people of this ciuntry
@@sumner2q you forget, McConnell was still in Congress too, he himself and a handful of others openly admitted during and after his administration "no matter what he proposed, we vote no" so it doesn't matter of he was in office, he was fighting all 8 years against a Congress who intended to make it look like it was Obama's fault and some policies he did pass he was trying to make a compromise abd then they demonized that, it was abd is the Republicans that are still here as well as some Establishment Dems that side with them. It's not as easy as "we're in the White House" when you have a group that is systemically planning every step of the way to block you. Look up some Frontline stories sometime. Hell John Boehner of Ohio secretly was trying to work a deal with Obama from a nonpartisan way to unify things they both saw as common interest for The People and Country... Then somehow it got out because in politics "the walls have ears", he got outsted and humiliated by Republicans as "traitor" and he ended up resignation under the guise of "retiring from Congress". Not saying Democrats are innocent, but Republicans as a whole party in government are far worse abd far from the party Lincoln once was.
Thank you. Retired and disabled, I make $11,000. a year. My food stamps, $111. a month. were canceled because somehow I made a mistake reapplying. This is the second year in a row for this.
"I had to decide which bills not to pay to be here in this room today. Believe me, I've pulled myself up by the bootstraps so many damn times I ripped 'em off." Really powerful stuff!
Why in the world and this entire universe is there a budget for furniture for senators, let alone a yearly one of $40,000 ?!!!!
It's disgusting
Because they write the laws. Stay woke
Relatively speaking, it's really not a huge amount. There are far bigger wastes of our public funds. These days people want their representatives to look and act poor, thinking it'll make a difference in the plight of the people. Used to be people wanted their representatives to present themselves well.
@@erad67 you could decorate with a tenth of that budget.. No IKEA in America?
@@erad67 erad67 whether the furniture budget is relative or not is unimportant. When they take Office, the office itself comes furnished. If something breaks fix it. If it can't be fixed then replace it. Look for savings not the best of the best each year. They don't need to replace their furniture each term. $40,000 a year per Official can help fund free lunch programs for schools. Help Community Food Pantries. Help Meals on Wheels programs. And so much more.
All the facts she stated they know already.....they just hope we dont.
and they dont care...
But knowledge is power. So if we challenge them on this , how do you think they will justify it?
@@helenwoodrum2383 I totally agree, but for them to do that many people have to challenge them. There is always strength in numbers.
@Jesus Anaya yup
👏👏👏😂
She speaks so eloquently and full of passion. She touched on the most sensitive subjects that are pushed to the back with absolute gut wrenching accuracy. I just want to hug this woman.
This may offend some people, but shes probably overweight because the quality of food is crap too. Any nutrition is expensive and out of reach.
As a disabled Advocate I cried! Amy was well spoken, matter of fact and very passionate! 👏👏👏
@@johnturtle6649 understand what you're saying but unnecessary. Some of us are overweight because of the medicines we have to take.
@@Ykyoulovekitfs That too. I agree. Some medications have long term health effects that won't see the light of day for years still to come. I'm looking at you, SSRI's
@@johnturtle6649 Yes exactly SSRI's put weight on people! I don't take SSRI's. Even other meds that aren't mental health medicines put weight on you. Prednisone, steroids etc.. It's crazy! I'm overweight and being poor I can't buy what it takes to lose, however I watch what I eat and don't over eat. Doctor said it's a lot of the medicines I take! Ugh! I've just learned to accept it, due to so many health issues I can't be active like I use too. Sucks!
We need someone like her to be president. In those 5 minutes, she spoke more truth of what millions of Americans lives are really like than any politician I've ever heard.
She is a real person, not a multimillionaire politician.
Absolutely!
Made me cry. I hope she makes a difference.
I think if the committee truly cares she will. Bless her for coming forward and telling it like it is.
Very moving testimony. I wanted to cry as well.
They will make sure that she doesn't make a difference. The government doesn't care. MJs song says it all they don't really care about us.
I cried too.
I grew up in this used to hold whiskey in my mouth because I had gotten teeth and we couldn't afford to get them fixed in the 90's. I was, I think, 10.
This woman represents the people who should be in Congress. Well done woman. God bless you !
Congress should pay minimum wage, and maybe then we won't have the same trash representatives decade after decade.
Politics wasn't supposed to be a career.
Let these halfwits get a real job and do their "public servant" duties on an as-needed basis
As a centralist in the world of politics, I like to hear all sides of the glories and pains of all red-blooded Americans. This particular video grabbed my heart and ripped it out. This woman has a serious point, no matter what side of the fence you are. Listen to her story and take heed. She's not bending any truths, she's not telling any lies. Everything is right on point. As a business owner, I can sympathize with her feelings and her pure gumption to get up there in front of the senate and speak her mind. This woman amazes me. I want to hug her.
3:03 Senators, representatives, delegates don't care about poverty and how much this woman makes. They care about their own. They had all the time in the world and opportunity to change the poverty situation and they did nothing. Also its not a new profound information, they know exactly what is the situation but they don't care at all as long as it doesnt affect them.
Vote for the ones who care... if you want a change.
how many pay raises have they had in the past 4 years...
Andrew Yang
@@bbmans57 He has no chance. Also he dropped from the race.
Well said 🙏🏿
M. A. G. G. O. T. S fot trumps sorri ass.
The sad thing is this probably fell upon deaf ears
You're right Matt.. so sad
Well, you've been very much correct.
Its not just Republicans that are deaf but Democrats alike. They have their own agendas and we are not in it
Not probably, it definitely did.
And did😬
I love this! I saw it 6/22/22, and yes, it still hits home. Here I am, very well BELOW the poverty line. I work my butt off every day to support one child and myself, and I have to pay a light bill this month (350$ a month, wow), and I guess my water bill for this month, next month. I got denied SNAP because I went back to college (online, though), and can't participate in the work study program, because I'm in Virginia and my college is in Arizona. Now how does that make any sense? My light bill takes almost 2 checks, I'm lucky to make 1200 month. I don't know what world they live in, because it sure isn't mine. I have gone hungry many nights because my son was still hungry...and I will do that whenever necessary. I'm a veteran, yet even after serving my country, THIS is where I'm at..this is where "we" are at. It is truly unsettling, even disgusting, that they can spend more than TRIPLE my yearly income, on office furniture. Shows us poor folks our worth, doesn't it?
I've seen this video multiple times and it still brings me to tears every time.
Me too
I don't care who takes credit for passing legislation which helps people like this woman as long as it gets done. This should be a bipartisan supported change. The race should be to see who can help the quickest
What legislation would help?
That’s the problem. We have to stop looking to government and stop them from making regulations that stifle the free market. We can’t tax people into poverty to make the poor wealthier. We have to let the free market work and stop with all the taxing without representation.
@@ddale20 Please tell me more about how we are going to tax Jeff Bezos into poverty. Who is being taxed that is not represented? Yeah great idea, let’s remove regulations like the minimum wage so that big corporations can pay even less. That would be GREAT for places like Walmart. Pay their employees less so that you the tax payers and make up for it when their employees file for section 8 housing, food stamps, Medicare, and all sorts of things. If you want lower taxes, make big corporations like Walmart and Amazon pay their employees so that YOU don’t have to.
This is so powerful. Well said and delivered with as much passion as she has for the issue. I would be honored to have her as a representative. We need people like her in congress.
OMG! Perfectly said on behalf of all of us poor people! 💯%
We can only hope that they step off their soapbox and listen 😔
Thank you from NC where I have lived and raised children at the poverty level. Everything you said is true. Thank you for saying it so passionately.
So proud of Amy Jo! She is such an asset to West Virginians! You tell em, mama!
Thanks, Ashley!
She's an asset to America. I am sharing this as far and wide as I can. All I could do was shake my head in agreement at everything she said . I know first hand about coming up in poverty .I know even after growing up about it too. It's hardening to so many and pushes others right over the edge . She has my deepest respect!
@@amyhutchison1473 what came of this???? And THANK YOU!!!!
I don't know your politics and don't care!! Thank you for putting it perfectly!! The cloves hit home sooo much... having to go to Walmart to buy fish antibiotics because going to the ER would be too much burden financially. Something none of our representatives seem to be able to comprehend or care about once they make it to the seat or chair.
I hope something good for all Americans comes from this.
My God! I don't think I've heard anything quite so powerful in my life she's amazing and she has an excellent point!
Ms.Hutchinson absolutely captured everything i wish i could say on behalf of so many families in the US. I was so moved and proud to have her as a member of my state. I was beyond moved, we as a country need to do better because we can do better.
@Ash Hegde All your comment shows is the level of selective knowledge u have. I pray you never age or be hit on hard times while being a parent or have to need assistance while being told u make too much. People can still be educated, plan for children and still hit hard times. Most people in the US are just a paycheck away from homelessness. Her point was she does what's expected and it's still not enough and that new standards need to be set. But alas I'm sure you only see and hear what you want to hear.
@Ash Hegde rape, divorce, loss of employment, death the list goes on. There's way more to life than just "stop having kids irresponsibly". Even from an economic standpoint poverty levels have risen and so should the threshold to account for them.
@Ash Hegde If all of humanity was able to adequately save past 7 figures. You wouldn't have issues with poverty..... Lmao you are a complete fool at this point lmaoo. Have a nice life. Enjoy your 7 figures.
"Arguing with an intelligent person is difficult,
Arguing with an idiot is impossible."
@Ash Hegde as an adult with a degree in statistics and economics i can assure you sir that you are wrong. Have a nice day.
Mrs Hutchinson, I pray that you see how much support you have. We here in England are in very similar circumstances. The only thing we have is the NHS and we aren't sure that that isn't going to be done away with in the next couple of years. God bless you. You delivered that to perfection. I pray that the world hears your message Thank you and God bless you again. ❤❤❤
Wow, nothing but POWERFUL. It amazes me how people completely turn a blind eye to what's actually TRUTH and VERY REAL!!!! I'm tired of hearing about: well they should spend their money this way, or stop eating out/ doing drugs. Pull yourself up by the boot straps. The best one yet, although some do this, Living out of your means.
We all live different lives and have way different experiences due to our regions, state, county, city, and neighborhood. So much corruption goes on that it's only hurting the poor, and they claim they're helping. Instead of helping we bash them, create some sort of reasoning on why they're down bad. Its woman like her, who folks will probably call progressive, we need more of. It's why we need to NOT turn a blind eye in local and state politics. Read what you can! Try to understand what you may be misinformed on!! I'm not going to blame the current administration in office, it's the entire govt for years playing us. Okay, end rant lol
Yep, that's the thing, ain't it? Affording food, clothes, and medication...or having to work double shifts 5-6 days a week to make ends meet shouldn't be "above our means"
Such articulate, passionate words of wisdom that need to be said by every single one of us in every town hall, every committee, every email, every phone call, every rally, every opportunity we have to raise our voices because I am personally very tired of resigning myself to the way things are. Ms. Hutchison captured the truth that all of us live and work among poverty understand so clearly and her testimony will do nothing if left to fall as a singular voice. This entire comment feed needs to start screaming. I know I am. Ever grateful for your testimony.
Thank you for eloquently sharing the experience of so many. It’s time Americans who are only worried about taxes put a face & a story to their vote. Shame on those who are voting for Trump! Those who don’t find this heartbreaking lack morals & human decent.
You are absolutely right. Federal money is wasted people do what they want to has the money in the budget. I'm a women God bless you, thank you very much for being strong and speaking out.
Everything you said was what so many millions of people in this country would say to congress,given the chance. Thank you so much for getting this message out there. It's way past time for our government to get there heads out of there asses and do something for our people here that need the help. Thank you so much for your words, you will be in my prayers, God bless 🙏😇💛
Amidst the disgusting truths you deliver so vivedly and courageous, you made me realize, there are good people out there. You inspire me, and I hope many others; to be good, do good, for the value of goodness in itself. With tears i my eyes and with outmost respect; thank you Ms Hutchison
This made me cry. Both my sister and I are in school and we can not get part time jobs to help out because my parents life depends on the medicine that is very expensive. Even if we did get jobs, we would lose everything just for a couple extra hundred dollars. It’s a messed up system so that the rich keep getting rich. And we remain the same. 🥺
This needs to be seen by everyone
Care to explain and elaborate on that?
@TruthFoot Fuck off and get a life
This is the type of person we need as an elected official. A person that actually cares!
I feel this woman's pain. I work a living wage for a single person. Not one with 2 kids living at home, which I have. I work in an office in Tech Support, not fast food, and still don't make enough to live comfortably.
I don't qualify for any benefits so we are living off of what I make. I shouldn't have to ask my teenage children to work to pay my bills. :(
This gets me every time. I keep coming back and listening to it again.
Outstanding!!! I started life 'well off', then dad split, mom moved us and i grew up poor. So poor, that I was the poorest kid in Jr High and High School. Got my 1st job at 15. Had to get legally emancipated at 16, so my now ailing mother could get assistance for medical and food stamps. I've had jobs that paid obscene amounts of money and I've been on the edge of homeless even with a full time job. Because of a drunk driver, I was crippled at the age of 43. I've not worked since, I'm 55 and I can't get SSI because a judge decided that even with over 1000 medical documents, she chose NOT to believe the medical evidence. Five blocks up the street from me, they're putting in hundreds of new $500k to $1 million dollar homes, while 5 blocks in the other direction is a gas station where 4 of the guys working there (full-time $15 an hour) are LIVING IN THEIR CARS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO GET AN APARTMENT. And, they can't even pool their money together to get a place, because apartment managers insist that a SINGLE applicant's income equals at least 3 times the rental amount, and the rents are $1200 on up around Portland, OR these days.....
The poverty guidelines are in need of some MAJOR, realistic adjustment. People are dying out here, literally. Suicide rates are climbing, homelessness has become and epidemic and mental illness is off the charts. Something's got to give......
The price of housing is crazy.
Also that city will be a ghost town as the democrats, BLM and everyone like them have taxxed the working too much and they are leaving and to finish it off the lefty lunatics are burning down their own cities.
Thank you so much, Ms. Hutchinson! I wish more people would understand exactly what you have said so eloquently.
Goodness... this lady and many more like her are the ones that should be in Congress !!! Bless them all
I am soooo proud of your Amy Jo....AWESOME testimony!! God Bless You!!!!!
Thank you!
Her story sounds like mine and many of my family friends and neighbors. Keep fighting Ms. Hutchinson.
Thank you so much for your brilliant and moving presentation Ms. Hutchison.
This is the best description of what millions of American families go through every day to survive.
To me you are a hero if you touched so many people like myself with your explanation of survival for the working poor.
I'm sharing this video every way I can, and if I don't get a response I'll share it again and again to get as many people to watch and share as well.
Of course the real people who need to watch are the ones in power, obviously, that is why I wish the news media would share this important talk instead of the repetitive crap they feed us!
Good luck to you and your family in West Virginia, and thank you from everyone who is fortunate to watch this incredible speech.
I understand this too well. Powerful -- brought me to tears. I wish you well and hope things get better for ALL of us. But I'm not holding my breath.
$40,000 for furniture is double what I make a year holy shit lmao
It's probably no longer 40k, or that where it is at currently base of inflation. Cause she says it goes up based on inflation if I understood her correctly.
@@lorenexus4917 you did. Annually, is how I heard it.
Yep..a big waste...
Wait are you telling me that 535 members multiplied by $40k is $21.4 million. Wow
That was much more than I made a year when I was in the Army for gods sake.
Go, Ms. Hutchison!💕💪🏽👏🏽💯♥️🙏🏽
Thank you for speaking out for your countrymen. You're doing big, brave things. 💪💪💪 Stay awesome Amy.
@@Wilsycat thats not a thing. Did you mean "femcel"?
Thank You my fellow West Virginian for speaking Truth to Power
Yes I cried too watching her testimony over and over....but you know what?! As heartbreakingly touching as it is.....it doesn't matter because I know firsthand how hitting a nerve in people the way I speak doesn't change them, I am houseless!! it's not that simple, and the fact that this chairman is condescending with "I think we just heard why we're here today" but Mr. chairman, what have you done in the 2 years since these hearings to make changes?! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! why do you think that half the congressman chairs up there are empty?! Because half of them don't want to be there to hear the truth in their face!!
That's some real shit. This hit so close to home it made me cry. I love her passion and courage to speak truth to power. My wife and I are playing who gets to see the dentist. I can still chew on my left side. She's got pain on both sides. We want to have another child to bring our grand total to 2. But the money it will cost for the hospital stay and my wife's medication will be crippling. The schools where I live are horrendous. We are gerrymandered so all the surrounding sold have surpluses but our little city gets lou gotts(nothing)
Powerful. Thank you for your moving testimony, Ms. Hutchison.
Thank you!
Hi how are you doing today
This is an amazing speech and filled with so much truth
This is heartbreaking and I'm at the pantry right now. I have to move because my house I lived in for years was sold. I can't find anything I can afford or qualify for because You have to make 3 times the rent and no job is paying that Indiana. I have been in corporate America for over 20 years, 8 years of college and just got offered 15 an hour in my last job interview. All they did was clap at this meeting. Nothing has changed. It has gotten worse. Pay attention at the polls when you vote because your life depends on it.
Someone should give that woman a huge raise, a new house, and a Gold Medal!!! I felt the applause of the 46 million Americans she represents!
This is so real for a lot of Americans.
Good video, and unfortunately fell on deaf ears in that room. People have to put the pressure on their government in order to change anything because the government is always like little bratty kids, they'll get away with as much as they can while they can.
I am so moved. Thank you for sharing your story, the story of others, and challenging us all. I am listening.
Thank you!
i felt every word in my heart. i got choked up listening and i am in the damned if you do damned if you dont camp.
zWow, she should be in Congress. She really knows how this works and has her facts together.
I have lived in Wa my whole life and the prices are driving people out. The California ideas are moving have moved to my state. My rent has been going up 50$ to 100$ a year, food up , car insurance up.
I'm from Olympia but just moved to Georgia so I can actually own property. I have a small farm for what I could have had a cottage with street parking in Washington. :( I still miss home every day though.
@@lisanolen3108 our city raised sewer and water bills again we all almost doubled it's out of control.
The Inflation we have seen is unsupported in WA. We pay 1700$ a month to rent a 2Br Apt and we make 60k a year. Jobs lost by retiree's who had a great ride thanks to Presidents like FDR. Where the can retire and have money coming in. Medicare, a great program! While not perfect, does it not take care of those who make it past 65? In my profession we have 30% of the workforce over 50 yoa and making over 600% more in many area's since they graduated in the 60's and 70's. Jobs are scarce in my line of work because the figures they use to decide how many graduates to send into the workforce was overestimated alot! School was nothing cost-wise compared to now. What a life it must be. The younger people ask for the same healthcare that is expensive for those under 65 but not so much if your over 60 or choose 65 to collect. Does Bernie Sanders ask too much? Do you think an investment into educating American children will not put us in a better future tomorrow? Anyone wjo understands how health Insurance works and howbits paid for doesnt question how much it costs. Not when it coats 350k to send a soldier overseas or 30+ ICBM's and a million and a half each to an abandoned airbase in Syria. Have we lost our common sense?
I live in California and it's true... no one can stay here with the rent increases, especially when nothing gets fixed or they take their time fixing it. It's a lie...
I live in rural Georgia and while housing is still "affordable", my home and auto insurance go up 15-20% every year, despite never filing a claim. I really hope after healthcare is sorted out, something can be done about those. It is insane.
Thank you, I also was a single Mom and nothing has changed in 30 years, I work 3 jobs and overtime and still could not make ends meet, this is for all parents who have this struggled, because we are poor. To really be honest both of these parties have really done nothing for me!
I am okay with single mothers getting some welfare assistance. If they already work 2 jobs, and still cant make ends meet, provided that shes working minimum wage jobs. Then ok, let the welfare step in and help her. Single father too, not just mother. But I have a problem over how the welfare systems, they just simply give money just like that. Some of these people on welfare, they are young and they had minor injuries but they managed to get disability benefits. I mean I dont buy it if they say they cant work. You cant even do a desk job? Its ironic how the welfare is so strict with single mothers like the story she said of a woman got promoted that had all her benefits taken away because of that promotions. But yet being so lenient towards lazy people abusing the system. Cant they at least wait a few years until that lady have enough increment to finally be able to make ends meet before they take back her benefits. The welfare system is very broken.
PREACH! Good job to this hard working mother.
She's pointing out facts that "our" government just take so for granted that they don't even see the discrepancies.
Amy Jo! You ROCK! Well said my dear. So very very well said.
Thank you!
Thank you for your powerful speech I watched this and then watched it agiain with my daughter and it hit home a lot we totally can understand you and what your saying we live it everyday bless you bless your heart and your family
They should play this at every single senate hearings, in every state, year after year, to remind our government. How many billions did we send to Eastern Europe??
Thank you so much for standing up for us.
Thank you!
What an amazing statement, so moving and strong!
Listen up conservatives!!!! This lady should run for Congress!!!
Thank you! You speak for so many!
Preach it! I agree with her. I have enough trouble making ends meet and I'm on my own. I can't imagine trying to feed children on one salary.
Unless you are destitute there seems to be little help available. Makes me sick.😠
Very moving ! Well done Amy Jo ! Proud to know you !
Thanks, Bill!
Thank you for representing us
Thank you!
This brought me to tears 😢
“ I’ve picked myself up by the bootstrip so many times I ripped them off “ that got me so hard. This video brings me to tears.
This type of treatment by the government has kept me from any chance of realizing any form of the "American Dream". 70 hours a week barely pays the rent. Sickning.
You go Ms. Hutchinson!!!!! Speak the Word!
Thank you Ms. Hutchinson, you are a strong entity! I love your heart.
And nothing changed. Politicians don't give a damn
I just shared to Facebook. I felt her pain.🥺
This woman is an absolute Angel!
❤️❤️❤️❤️hang in there Amy! And thank you fir going and speaking up for all of us! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
So well put!!! I really hope people see & understand this!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Brought tears to my eyes, is it going to make any difference? Does anyone in the government listen and understand and empathise and act?
As a WV state worker in a full time position that requires a bachelors degree, who lives in poverty, even with a working husband, after 9 years of service who got her first raise in year 8 because of the teacher strike. This is TRUTH. Ms. Hutchison speaks TRUTH. Our lawmakers, judges, etc. have had serious increases in salary and I still live in poverty. We don’t get raises for good work, skills, or service. Instead, many workers decide to jump around positions to see any increase in pay which means funds go into training new workers instead of retaining workers. I love what I do. I love serving my community. I have stuck with it thinking, “I’m bound to get a raise when it’s time”. That time didn’t come because the government decided to reward service and competency, it came because teachers went on strike.
Hello Boren how are you doing today....?
@@edisonbrown3636 hello. Feeling good and off to work with a happy heart. Thanks for asking. I hope you and yours are well.
I'm good
Where are you chatting form?
Preach! Still valid in Sept 2023. God bless this woman. She speaks for us all! 🎉🎉🎉
Been there through two sisters, myself and butt loads of friends ....she is 1000000 times right !!!!
More recently before the coronavirus I was eating ramen , losing weight and teeth....as soon there is a national catastrophe food stamps went up to what they really should be (according to the guidelines) and now since the virus is gone so probably will the rest of my teeth soon disappear ....and no way to replace them !!!
GOD BLESS YOU Ms. Hutchison
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us.Michael Jackson 🙋
What a great summation of poverty in the US, delivered buy one who lives it.
Powerful. I love they way she called out the privileged.
So after hearing this reality a reality that most Americans face everyday why would anyone vote against Medicare for all?
because it overpriced and cant be payed for unless you tax people more.
Because the communists are going to take our guns and eat aborted fetuses.
@@Nelcomarproductions Given that all of the 1st world countries except america seem to have figured it out, I think we could give it a go. Are you saying that America isn't good enough, that we can't do it as well as Slovenia, Hungary, or France?
I would gladly pay more in taxes for this with all the extra fucking money I had from not paying into healthcare premiums every month. I have a decent plan and its still $75 for a visit to get a doctor's confirmation that I'm sick. I could have figured that out by the fact that I couldn't breathe right for a week straight. It took two visits to sort out what was wrong and get the right antibiotics. Again, I have a decent plan but that still cost me $150, another $70 in X-rays and $5 for some generic antibiotic on top of the near $800/mo. that my plan costs my employer and I.
@@TheReedsofEnki yeah except long wait times and low quality. Economics are not on your side when it comes to socialized healthcare. Also that so called extra money you would be saving will go in taxes.
also those countries have smaller populations than us. Another factor you forget.
@@TheReedsofEnki lets also not forget dr shortages.
and now we move to change the guidelines to deprive poor people even further all those in favor and we hear a resounding Aye!
Right...she keeping it 100%...but they still don't care...this is a nation wide problem
THANK YOU AMY JO!
As a a Republican I agree .goverment need reallocate funds from there pockets to adjust snap and other funds so people can deal with Walmart stealing local businesses.
Well there's Amazon..
Believe it or not, this is actually people going to speak against the Trump administrations changes to the poverty line.
most of the budget goes to welfare and medicare. Also Walmart does not steal local business, you do that by going to Walmart.
@Agent J Considering Obama's first day as President was January 20, 2009, no. That would be Bush Jr.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Economic_Stabilization_Act_of_2008
A very powerful testimony that comes from the ❤️.!!
This down heading started since 80s,,yes it did,,,,people didn't pay attention to what was going on with politicians,,mostly g.o.p & some Dems...!!!!!!
Now is the time to stand up ,,,,be heard...get involve,,,educate ur selves,, you can change it for better,,,,after all it's in your ✋ ✋ ✋ s,,,!!!
*** WWAAARRENN***
**** VOTE****
This is so true. I knew people who were making about $250.00 to $275.00per month, working full time. They were told, if they made $5.00more they would have lost insurance & had to pay $300.00 a month or more to cotver their family. Now you wonder why people stay on assistance. That is why. People should be worth more then furniture in ones office. The government needs to get its priorities straight. Assistance should help people to become independent , not make people dependent on them, & that is what they do. When you are on assistance, you are punished for trying to better yourself, not rewarded. In collusion , the blame is on the government, not the people!
A brilliant analysis , facts are stubborn indeed.
Using that Beautiful Voice God gave you, I see. BRAVO!!!
This is why they all need to be voted out. Both parties made it where men couldn't be in the home and the federal poverty guidelines are still based off of that number we really need for both parties Want to control the public instead of representing it why cant congress salaries reflect the median income of the district.
@Jesus Anaya well yeah, how else will he get Mexico to pay for the wall?
×sarcasm font×
@Jesus Anaya why not even so welfare wouldn't be able to be under attack if Bill Clinton didn't sign the 1996 welfare to work act that pretty much made this able to happen and it's a lie what trump wants to do is enforce the rule under this bill obama used the waiver rule that said if unemployment is so high you can have waive the work requirements when trump got in enforced the work requirements the unemployment rate fail. The Democrats didn't pass a minimum wage act for the eight year they had the white house or the 4 year they had both houses of Congress they dont care just like the Reppublican I'm a realist the crime bill welfare reform and the invest and opportunity act of the 1990 are the reason why we have socialist running for office along with bush and Obama bailouts that didn't let the ression run its course and make people live within there means and made millionaires into billionaires
As long as corporate interests are whoring themselves to politicians within the walls of both aisles of Congress there are, and those that are willing to "buy into" that system, voting them out won't do anything, the politicians are a symptom, the root are these special interest groups that help companies, not people of this ciuntry
@@sumner2q you forget, McConnell was still in Congress too, he himself and a handful of others openly admitted during and after his administration "no matter what he proposed, we vote no" so it doesn't matter of he was in office, he was fighting all 8 years against a Congress who intended to make it look like it was Obama's fault and some policies he did pass he was trying to make a compromise abd then they demonized that, it was abd is the Republicans that are still here as well as some Establishment Dems that side with them. It's not as easy as "we're in the White House" when you have a group that is systemically planning every step of the way to block you. Look up some Frontline stories sometime. Hell John Boehner of Ohio secretly was trying to work a deal with Obama from a nonpartisan way to unify things they both saw as common interest for The People and Country... Then somehow it got out because in politics "the walls have ears", he got outsted and humiliated by Republicans as "traitor" and he ended up resignation under the guise of "retiring from Congress". Not saying Democrats are innocent, but Republicans as a whole party in government are far worse abd far from the party Lincoln once was.
I hope someone hires her to be a public speaker. She would be great at that job!
The sad thing is .. this lady spoke from the souls of us all and it fell apawn deaf ears.
Thank you Ms. Hutchison very well said
Power to the people!
He says we just heard why these meetings are important but what is being done about this problem
Thank you. Retired and disabled, I make $11,000. a year. My food stamps, $111. a month. were canceled because somehow I made a mistake reapplying. This is the second year in a row for this.