Camera: Ben Auletta, Jr.
WHERE / WHEN:
July 21, 2010
Oranigaya Cafe, 478 Somerset Street, North Plainfield, NJ
WHO:Intro by Peg Schaffer (Chair of The Somerset County Democratic Committee), Ed Potosnak, Paul Alirangues (Managing Member)
WHAT:
Ed Potosnak stood alongside small business entrepreneur Paul Alirangues as he launched his campaign for Congress in the New Jersey 7th District July 21, 2010 at the Organigaya Café in North Plainfield, NJ.
"I'm running for Congress because America is losing its edge and we need to get it back," Potosnak said.
Potosnak believes that America is losing its edge because of divisive and self-serving politics that have gotten in the way of getting the job done. Potosnak is dedicated to addressing the needs of families and businesses, not Wall Street. Potosnak wants to reward businesses for creating jobs, help families send their kids to college, and stimulate R&D in New Jersey.
"I'm a science teacher who will represent your needs, get the priorities right, and use my real-world experience to get the job done," Potosnak said.
Potosnak highlighted the story of Paul Alirangue, owner of Organigaya Café, whose business was affected by partisan gridlock. Alirangues hoped to expand his small business and create more jobs in the district. But delays in the passage of the pivotal federal jobs bill setback his expansion efforts leaving his family without income for nearly a month.
When Alirangues called Congressman Lance's office, he was only given a political explanation for why Lance opposed the bill.
"I think it's time we get America's edge back. One way to start is by ridding Congress of the career politicians and replacing them with real world people and real world experience," Alirangues said.
The majority of Mr. Lance's campaign contributions come from special interests and political action committees and has voted for their issues over the interests of Main Street.
"The career politicians have either forgotten or don't understand what it means to meet a payroll, pay bills on time, grow a business, support one's own family, and gain an edge on the competition."
