I'd suggest that Mr. Estes find a different mine to work at if he insists on continuing to work in mining. He could also pivot to other industry, safety is a big deal in most industry. I'm sure they would consider him at many locations for similar positions.
I'm not opposed to having programs to help these people, not at all. I'm from Norway where we have free healthcare, education, social security nets etc. I'm all for that stuff, it benefits all of us.
All I'm saying is if new opportunities don't fall into your lap you need to find them yourself.
Since you are from Norway you likely aren't aware that there aren't significant other mining jobs in West Virginia.
Or other jobs in West Virginia, with its long history of coal mining, with profits ending up in the pockets of mine owners, not employees.
Since you think people are only looking for jobs that fall in their lap, I'm certain you have no idea of the issues.
So, now you need find a new job yourself, and it requires a specific training, so you spend your savings on a one year training program, only to find that, once done, the job market has changed and now you also need two years of job experience .. then what?
In the meanwhile, your breathing has gotten more difficult. You think it might be black lung. Your union helped pass the law which helps provide health and financial support to miners who get black lung, and you became a miner expecting this protection, but Trump DOGE'd it so who knows when you'll get your legally required support.
Then move out of West Virginia. Or find something that works in WV. Those are their options.
I also can't say I have much sympathy for people who voted for Trump and then got screwed by Trump. West virginians overwhelmingly voted red. You can't vote against social security nets and then complain that you dont have a social security net.
Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps, red blooded patriots. No one can tread on you.
I'm not opposed to having programs to help these people, not at all. I'm from Norway where we have free healthcare, education, social security nets etc. I'm all for that stuff, it benefits all of us.
All I'm saying is if new opportunities don't fall into your lap you need to find them yourself.