Joe From Texas: Time to Save Social Security and Reduce the National Debt

America gave Joe Penland Sr. a ladder out of poverty. Now the Texas businessman, "Joe From Texas," is fighting to make sure Washington doesn’t yank that ladder away from the next generation.

That was the message delivered by South Shore Press Managing Editor Stefan Mychajliw on behalf of “Joe From Texas” at the Free & Equal Elections Foundation’s 2026 United We Stand Tour at the historic Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter Island.

Speaking on behalf of Penland, Mychajliw told attendees that saving Social Security and confronting America’s exploding national debt are about something much bigger than numbers on a government balance sheet: whether children born into poverty can still believe they can achieve the American Dream.

“We love America. It’s the greatest country in the world,” Mychajliw said of himself and Penland. “We both grew up in extreme poverty. We both came from nothing. And we also believe in the beauty and the arc of the American Dream.”

Penland knows firsthand what Social Security means to struggling families. After his father died young, his mother worked to support the family, with Social Security providing a critical lifeline.

“Social Security literally saved his family, saved his life,” Mychajliw said.

Penland eventually escaped poverty through hard work and entrepreneurship, building Quality Mat Company into a major construction-mat business. Today, his Joe From Texas movement is focused heavily on protecting Social Security and restoring fiscal responsibility.

But the warning on Shelter Island was stark: America cannot assume the opportunities enjoyed by previous generations will automatically survive.

“Our fear is that the same way that Joe had a ladder, I had a ladder, that we’re the last generation to take it instead of leaving it for our kids and our grandkids,” Mychajliw said.

Penland is pushing Washington to tackle both Social Security’s finances and a national debt that has now topped $40 trillion. His “Contract From the American People” calls for fiscal reforms, including action to stabilize the debt and preserve Social Security.

The speech rejected the idea that Americans should wait for Washington to rescue the country.

“No one’s going to save us. No politician in Washington,” Mychajliw said. “We’re the cavalry. We are it. The cavalry’s not coming. It’s long gone. It’s up to all of us.”

The message became especially pointed as America approaches its 250th anniversary.

“This country is incredible,” Mychajliw said, recounting how generations of immigrants and poor Americans could arrive with nothing and build lives unimaginable to their parents.

“Our republic is worth saving,” he concluded. “This country matters. We’ve got to make sure that the next generation has the same beautiful gifts from our Creator, our Founding Fathers, that we lived.”