Protesters Rally in Front of Smithtown Town Hall - June 5, 2010
Saturday June 5, 2010 – Armed with signs and the knowledge that Congressman Bishop would be at Smithtown’s Town Hall a group of approximately twenty people showed up to express their unhappiness with the Congressman and the Democratic administration in Washington D.C.
Although not all were affiliated with the Tea Party or the Conservative Society for Action, those who were members outnumbered those who were unaffiliated. When asked how they learned of the Congressman’s presence at town hall at least two mentioned that they had received robo calls from Congressman Bishop inviting them to meet with him. Others said they learned through online sites. A common factor is that they are not happy with the direction the government is taking and they are unwilling to sit idle and watch all that they have worked for disappear. The protesters wanted to send the message that their voices are not being heard and that they are tired of being of ignored.
Several of the protesters, including Hauppauge resident Edward Kalick, a Viet Nam Veteran, expressed his frustration with health care reform, and claimed that the administration, of which Bishop is a part, ignores Americans. Diana Erbio, a Saint James resident, said "people cannot afford big government" and cited her opposition to bail outs, health care reform and cap and trade as reasons for attending the rally.
Jan Williams of Nesconset stated his concern that Congressman Bishop will support amnesty for illegal immigrants, cap and trade and cited Bishop's support for health care legislation and Bishop's voting record. He believes that Bishop aligns himself too closely with Speaker Pelosi and the Obama administration.
The people who attended this rally are united in their frustration with the federal government and they hold the belief that it is their vision of the constitution, the size of government and the role of government that the founding father's had in mind. They no longer trust the federal government and feel compelled to work against all incumbants with voting records similar to Congressman Bishop's.
