News

March 10, 2010

Kanjo not to Tea Party’s taste

Critics of proposed health insurance reform target the Democrat’s local office.

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

WILKES-BARRE – Northeastern Pennsylvania Tea Party members hoped that by protesting outside U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s Wilkes-Barre office they would convince him to vote against the proposed health care bill now in Congress.

Glen Senese of Pittston joined about 20 other team members for the 90-minute protest as they walked up and down the sidewalk directly in front of the Stegmaier Building on Tuesday.

Senese, 49, said politicians such as Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, are ramming the health care bill down people’s throats, even though he said most Americans do not want health care reform.

“This is the first time I can remember in my life that the American people have said we don’t want something. The politicians have said ‘You’re stupid, we know better than you.’ The stupid ones are actually the politicians,” Senese said.

Several cars driving down North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard honked to indicate the drivers’ approval.

Another Tea Party member, Bob Orbin, said he was not only worried about the health care issue affecting America, but also the growth of the federal government. He said the government cannot operate current programs efficiently, so how would it run a program to provide health care.

“We are also very much concerned about the growth of the government in general. We cannot continue to spend at the levels we are or we are going to be in major trouble,” said Orbin, who is a financial adviser.

Kanjorski was traveling from the district to Washington, D.C., for votes scheduled at the U.S. Capitol when the protesters were marching outside.

“As part of our democratic process, people have the right to voice their opinions, and I encourage them to do so. There is much misinformation floating around regarding health care reform legislation, and I encourage everyone to learn the facts of what is really included in it,” Kanjorski said.

“By working together and understanding the difficult situations that too many Americans and American companies face as a result of exorbitant health care costs, we can greatly improve the way our health care system operates.”

Tea Party members scheduled a similar protest for Thursday at U.S. Rep. Chris Carney’s office in Clarks Summit.

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7159.

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