Citizens herald senator's visit: 'They don't do this enough'

Despite the unusually chilly mid-august weather, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse was out greeting the public and the answering questions of concerned East Providence citizens last week at his community cookout. It isn't a campaign year for Sen. Whitehouse, but rather a chance to inform the public about what is being done to solve their issues on a legislative level.

"Years and years ago, politicians always went door to door campaigning," said Sarah Foskett, who attended the event with her daughter, Patricia.

"I think it's great that Mr. Whitehouse is doing something like this."

Anthony Arico, a former deputy of business regulations for the state, asked what the likelihood is of filling the "doughnut hole" in the prescription drug costs. Mr. Arico asked the question on the behalf of some friends, as it has been a major issue since before Sen. Whitehouse even got elected.

"Frankly, it is going to take a lot of work," Sen. Whitehouse said.

"We had a chance to take a vote on whether or not Medicare should be able to negotiate with prescription drug companies on prices to fill that hole. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the 60 votes needed to pass it."

Dave Scott, a former manager of radio station WRIW, expressed deep concern about abuse at the Veterans' Home in Bristol. A veteran of Vietnam, Mr. Scott was at the home seven years ago and witnessed the unthinkable.

"Older people are getting slapped around and thrown into bed. One man I know, a POW of Vietnam, was sexually abused by two male nurses," he said. "They even tried to send me to a psychiatrist to shut me up about the problem."

Sen. Whitehouse listened attentively to Mr. Scott and introduced him to Steve Topp, a staff member dedicated entirely to veterans' issues, to make sure the information got out.
"We are definitely watching the issue with interest," Sen. Whitehouse said.

Donna Tavares inquired as to what can be done about the gap between the rich and the poor closing in on the average middle-class worker. Ms. Tavares said she was recently laid off.

"It won't be long before I can't put food on my child's table. Foreclosures are up 37 percent. Those are people's homes. We are struggling," she said. "Nobody is listening to us."

Mr. Whitehouse cited the fact that the rich are getting the biggest tax breaks as opposed to middle-class people.
"It makes no sense the way we go after middle class people," he said.

"Healthcare doesn't serve us. Public education doesn't serve us. The average American's salary has actually gone down under the Bush administration."

Although he admitted there is still so much work to be done, Sen. Whitehouse said he pushed to add $1,000 to Pell Grants to ease the burden of college on middle-class parents.

"We also have to fix our borders so that we are not exporting jobs. We need to defend the American middle class."
Still, he said he doesn't know what Congress will do for the thousands of people who have had their house foreclosed.

Ms. Tavares felt like she was heard, and was satisfied with Sen. Whitehouse's answer, despite the fact that it wasn't an ideal one.

"An honest answer is better than the one I wanted to hear," she said. "The question is so vast that it is difficult to even begin to tackle. I figure that if I ask it enough, something might be done."
 
Sen. Whitehouse continued to answer questions and talk to citizens after the public event ended.

"Usually people only see politicians out and about while they are campaigning," said William Mosunic of North Kingstown. "They don't do this enough."

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