In June, Change Nation’s partner in Montana launched a new statewide stories project called Faces of Social Security.

One of the first video stories features a miner from the town of Butte named Tom Holter.  It’s a remarkable story of a humble, hard-working man who recognizes the great value of our country’s retirement security system – not just for himself and his own family but for his children, grandchildren, and future generations.

Watch the video:
Holter, a veteran, worked as a ropeman and iron worker in the Butte mines for over 26 years until a life-threatening injury forced him to leave his job and accept disability benefits, and later Social Security.

“I don’t know what I’d do without Social Security – I just wouldn’t be able to survive,” Holter says.  His company pension isn’t enough to pay the bills, and going back to work isn’t really an option given his  age and lingering problems due to the injury.  Still, Tom is an active volunteer in his community giving tours at the World Museum of Mining and at Our Lady of the Rockies.

Holter recognizes the great role unions have played in Montana by protecting workers who take on dangerous jobs like mining.  And yet he also bemoans the inequality engendered by a system that benefits corporations and the wealthy.

“I think everyone should pay their fair share… millionaires and billionaires.  They made big money when I was making pennies.”

Look out for more videos as part of the Faces of Social Security series.