Press Release from Congressman Barletta

Rep. Barletta Clear Winner of First Debate

Hazleton, PA - Tonight, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta was the clear winner in the first debate between the incumbent congressman and Democratic challenger, Gene Stilp. 

Rep. Barletta clearly explained the challenges facing the 11th District and the nation, and proposed solutions in a wide range of subject areas, from job creation to foreign policy to energy.

"Lou Barletta showed he is not afraid to tackle the the tough issues, solve America's problems, and put Americans back to work," said Lance Stange, Campaign Manager.

"Stilp, on the other hand, offered vague, evasive answers and untruths to hide his lack of understanding of the issues and his shocking lack of plans or even ideas on how to save essential government programs that help seniors, the sick, and the poor."

Why Hasn't the Price of Gas, Diesel, and Fuel Oil Dropped?

Now that the populace has their attention focused on the failed bailout, I'd like to ask a few open questions of not just our incumbent politicians but also of those seeking to unseat them.

The price of crude oil has fallen approximately 32% from its all time high. It closed yesterday at $96. per barrel. The price of gas has fallen just 12%. Why is that? What are you going to do about it?

Wall Street may be in a downward spiral now, but it will recover. What has me concerned, and should have everybody concerned, is the cost of energy is hitting those with the least, the hardest. Where is that so called Democratic Leadership that cares so much about the poor and middle class? Here in the Northeast, I think that there are going to be many families that aren't going to be able to heat their homes and afford gas to drive to work. What are their options going to be? Do one and not the other? Do neither and feed their families?

The solution, sure as shit, is not Barry's "Windfall Tax" plan. Companies will just pass that cost on. In particular, I am asking the 15-20 people from house.gov and senate.gov that read this site each and every day. I am asking specifically for Paul Kanjorski, Chris Carney, Lou Barletta, Chris Hackett, Bob Casey, and Arlen Specter to give us all some answers!!

Lou Barletta on the Current Bailout Plan

Give Wall Street more of a workout, not a bailout!!

Barletta says current plan not tough enough!

HAZLETON – U.S. Congressional candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta issued the following statement about the ongoing economic crisis:
“The current plans on the table in Washington do not accomplish the goals I set out in my statement on Wednesday.
“There is a need for government intervention to correct this problem. However, I am not seeing anything that would strip away the golden parachutes for failing executives. There is no mandated investigative commission to get to the cause of the problem. Finally, the current plan appears to be more of a gift rather than a loan with strict requirements.
“Congress is about to reward financial institutions that think nothing of charging citizens exorbitant penalties for late payments, increasing interest rates for individuals with poor credit, and foreclosing on homes. Those institutions would receive a get-out-of-jail free card with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. These financial institutions are getting far better treatment than they give to their consumers.
“If we are going to fix this problem, we need to give Wall Street more of a workout than a bailout. Congress needs to do more to hold these companies accountable and to learn why they failed to stop the crisis."
“Republicans and Democrats in Washington continue to point fingers at each other and hold press conferences, but the problem remains. This is not acceptable to the American people.”

Lou Barletta's Statement About the Economic Crisis

HAZLETON – Hazleton Mayor and Congressional candidate Lou Barletta issued the following statement on the current economic crisis.
“As I’ve traveled throughout the 11th Congressional District, meeting with the good people of northeastern Pennsylvania in recent days, the current economic crisis and the irresponsible actions that led to it are often the first things people mention to me.
“The politicians in Washington, D.C., and candidates all over the country have been falling over themselves to place blame on others and to take credit for any possible solutions. I refuse to follow their example. We need real leadership and calm heads, not press conferences and empty rhetoric.
“This nation is facing a crisis that has rocked our economic core and may in fact change the future of the American economy. As someone who started a small business and turned it into an industry leader, and as a mayor who inherited a financial crisis, I understand the need to make tough decisions and work with others to fix a crisis.
“I don’t claim to have all the answers and I do not have the benefit of Congressional hearings and a full-time research staff, but here are some of my commonsense thoughts on the crisis:

1. This crisis is not unique to one political party. Americans from all ideologies and political affiliations are feeling the crunch. We need to stop pointing fingers and start working toward solutions. Republicans and Democrats share the blame and they can share in the satisfaction of helping us out of the problem if they set aside ambition for cooperation.
2. Members of Congress need to stay in session and do their job. I realize that there is a desire to adjourn next week, but after a five-week summer break, I believe they should continue to work until an effective, sustainable plan is passed.
3. Congress should not rush to judgment. We often hear the rhetoric that the administration rushed us into war. Congress should not be pressured into making rash decisions.
4. The federal government should act to avoid any escalation in the crisis. However, any proposed ‘bailout’ should have strong requirements. The executives from companies that will benefit from federal assistance should be required to take a salary reduction. Any bonus packages due to these executives should be frozen until all federal relief funds are paid back to the taxpayers.
5. An independent commission should be established to review the actions that brought our nation to this point. Who had oversight over these industries? What legislation – or lack of legislation –precipitated these events?
6. New ethics rules should be passed to ensure members of Congress do not have their judgment clouded by campaign donations. Whether or not pay-for-play antics may have led to this crisis can be debated. But when Republican and Democrat members of Congress on oversight committees take large amounts of money from these companies and then ask the taxpayers to give huge amounts of money to the same companies to bail them out, it raises very serious questions.

“We need to restore faith in the American economy and American dollar around the world. We need to show the world that America is coming back. That the American people have the resolve missing in some of our leadership, and we will make the changes necessary to get our economy back on track.”