Opinion

SEND LOU Barletta to Washington, D.C.

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Lou Barletta isn’t the one-dimensional candidate that his critics suggest.

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Although some people try to pigeonhole Barletta as a single-issue candidate, the Hazleton mayor who gained nationwide attention for his city’s attempted crackdown on illegal immigrants offers fresh ideas on a host of issues.

The Republican hopes to unseat 12-term incumbent Paul Kanjorski to represent the 11th Congressional District. If successful, he’d enter the Capitol with a fierce independent streak and none of the clouds that hang over the current congressman, whose past dealings have been called into question.

Barletta opposes the privatization of Social Security and says lawmakers must replenish money that was taken from the Social Security Trust Fund to pay for unrelated federal programs. “Some of the money being spent on the Iraq war should, when the war is over, be directed to Social Security,” he said.

He objected to the $700 billion package that Congress recently passed in an attempt to stabilize the nation’s financial industry, suggesting it interfered with capitalism’s natural cycle. “Let the strong take over the weak,” Barletta said.

He considers the No Child Left Behind Act ineffective in helping students to achieve academically. To boost the economy, he favors a mix of tactics that includes adopting a “workable energy policy,” cutting corporate tax rates and addressing immigration.

“I believe there’s a way this nation can deal with (illegal immigration) without ripping families apart and pulling people out of their homes,” Barletta said. He later added, “If you stop the flow (of incentives) – take away the jobs, take away the benefits – they’re going to go home.”

Barletta unsuccessfully faced off against Kanjorski in the 2002 election, but this time packs much greater name recognition, plus nearly a decade of mayoral experience.

If elected, Barletta wants to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, because he views transportation as key to the region’s economic success.