Bob Kirkner

Bob Kirkner of King, North Carolina, is a proud father and grandfather.  He is 70 years old and gave 34 of those years as a mechanic to US Airways.  He retired with a good pension and an optimistic future.  But when US Airways declared bankruptcy, Bob had no idea that it would mean drastic cuts to his pension, and the end of his family’s health and life insurance benefits.

Bob tells his American story, “I gave 34 years of my life and worked hard,” says Bob.  “I was middle class and made a good living and when I retired at 62, my pension and Social Security allowed me to live very comfortably.”  Bob felt like the company and country that he had worked so hard for was paying him back. 

When US Airways went bankrupt the first time, Bob’s life began to change.  "We were paying $40/month for health insurance, and until my Medicare and VA benefits kicked in, our premiums jumped to $600. Now how are we supposed to afford that?" he reflects.  Even with Medicare and VA benefits, the Kirkners' healthcare costs them almost $400/month.

After the second bankruptcy filing, Bob’s pension was drastically cut, and his social security check that used to be a supplement is now half of his income and pays for all of his utility and insurance bills.  Bob no longer has life insurance or dental insurance and finds hidden costs throughout his healthcare.  He is scared of what will happen if we continue the current economic policies.  “Medicare Part D is much worse than the old system, and they want to give Social Security to the big banks,” says Bob.  “I just think that if things keep going in this direction there will be nothing in between the very rich and the very poor and after 34 years of hard work, I will be part of the very poor.”

Bob is excited and hopeful about change coming to this country.  “It is time for a change,” says Bob. “We need to take care of working people, give our kids a life to look forward to, and get back to the values that made America great.”