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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

"My Name is Lisa Scheller, and I'm Running fro Congress!"

Lisa Scheller 
Last year, at the Hope and Coffee House she founded in Hazelton, Lisa Scheller began her story with, "My name is Lisa, and I'm a recovering addict and alcoholic." This is the standard introduction used by alcoholics and addicts in smoke-filled meeting rooms, where nicotine and caffeine are acceptable drugs for those of us hanging onto a shred or two of sobriety. Yesterday's meeting room was Allentown Renaissance Hotel. It was no AA meeting. Though coffee flowed in abundance, none of the 25 or so well-dressed guests was smoking. Except for me. I had a pinch of Skoal hidden between my cheek and upper gum for that pure tobacco satisfaction. Instead of a boring suit and tie, I was dressed in SWAT-team pants I picked up for a song at the local Thrift store. This is the perfect ensemble for a room full of Republicans, especially if one of them wants to go skeet shooting or something. Lisa Scheller, who called this meeting for an important announcement, had something else on her mind. "My name is Lisa Scheller and I'm running for Congress," she declared.

I never heard that at an AA meeting. President? Yes. Congress? Never.

Scheller, an Allentown resident, is seeking the Republican nomination to Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. That seat is currently held by Democrat Susan Wild. It includes Lehigh, Northampton and a portion of Monroe County.

Unlike many in recovery from substance abuse, Scheller embraces it. She understands how "the politics of smear works," but wants her struggle known. "I'm not ashamed of my addiction and I empathize with people who struggle, and their families," she noted. She overcame her addiction and went on to earn degrees in both mathematics and engineering.

In 1988, after her brother passed away unexpectedly, she took over the reins of Silberline Manufacturing, a company started by her immigrant grandparents. She transformed it into a leading international manufacturer of aluminum-based pigments for the automotive and other industries. Her company employs 600 people in economically ravaged Tamaqua. Her sister-in-law, Jill Scwartz, referred to Scheller as a "force of nature."

In addition to her education and business skills, Scheller also served a term as a Lehigh County Commissioner. In her final two years, she chaired the nine-person board.

In a stirring speech, Scheller said she's running for Congress because the people of the Seventh District have been poorly served. "They've lost faith in government because government has constantly acted in bad faith," she argued. "It's tearing us apart. Nobody's really speaking on the issues that matter to people here." She identifies these issues as jobs, education, health care and secure borders. She derided "a permanent political class that feeds on division" instead of addressing these problems.

Jobs - Scheller observed "Government cannot create jobs. Businesses do." But she slammed excessive regulation.  She claimed this just leads to income for the governing class and bigger government."Yes, we need some regulations to protect our safety, environment and equality. But over-regulation destroys employment."

Education. - Scheller, who has established and expanded a scholarship program at Lehigh County Community College, said student debt is "out of control" and a "crushing burden" on our youth. "Becoming a nation of educational haves and have-nots is a danger to our democracy and prosperity," she warned. She said it's time government focuses on education instead of perpetuating conflict.

Medical care. - "Here's the message: it's not really the Affordable Care Act if you can't afford it and end up with no health care. I'm committed to ensuring that pre-existing conditions remain covered for all people and I'm equally committed to making sure that we end the spiral of costs that was triggered by another well-intentioned government disaster. It's time tofree people who are held hostage to this system."

Secure Borders - Scheller's grandparents and great-parents immigrated here from countries where they were unsafe. She argues they were safe in America for two reasons. First, they had the freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. Second, they had borders to protect that freedom.

"Why are people in this district concerned about our borders? Because we're the ones who have to live with the consequences of a nation without them. People here understand something: you can't have a nation without borders."

After her speech, Scheller spoke individually with the guests who had come to see her, thanking them. Then she met us, The Fake News. We had questions about the Trump impeachment inquiry, the betrayal of Kurds in Syria and homeless veterans. For someone who disdains the political class, she did a pretty good job of ducking questions that might shed light on where she stands on Trump.

She did say he's entitled to due process, and of course, he is. But due process provides for notice and an opportunity to be heard before being removed from the Office of President. Prosecutors have no obligation to disclose details of a pending investigation to a target. In this case, the prosecution is the House of Representatives. Their hearings can be likened to grand jury proceedings. If they do vote to impeach, the President would be entitled to full due process during his trial in the Senate.

Her webpage is www.schellerforcongress.com. She is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Scheller has one declared GOP opponent, Dean Browning. He is a Trumpeteer.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nope. And I and probably we would like if you would give up the chew.

Anonymous said...

She is a much more attractive candidate than whacko Browning. He has gone full nutsy Trumpee over the past two years. he has been running for the position forever. He is a tea party joker.

No thank you, she is preferable, if she can stop dugong questions about Trump. We do not need anymore Orangeman enablers .

Anonymous said...

She is terrific and I look forward to supporting her.

Anonymous said...

Will she be soliciting (votes) on Pine St again?

Anonymous said...

Strong adherence to Constitution?
Secure national borders?
Smaller government control over our lives?

That's a winner. Where do I sign-up?


Anonymous said...

Tremendous courage to speak about addiction and we'll never know how many others have come to her for help. She is of "comfortable means" and certainly could enjoy a less stressed job than in Washington. We'll see how the campaign goes.

Moonstrance said...

Much more preferable than the current seat holder.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Will she be soliciting (votes) on Pine St again?"

I'll let this one stand so people can see what Lisa means by the politics of smear.

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Anonymous said...

The senate even with rhinos will not let the dems impeach Trump--the dems are way too far to the left to let them govern this great country.

Anonymous said...

Wild big mistake --lisa must win must be a landslide TO PUT THE DEMOCRATIC RADICAL LEFT MOVEMENT-

Anonymous said...

I think Wild is not as leftist as I thought she would be but I like what I'm hearing about this candidate.

I may even consider putting a sign in my yard, something I've never done since Paul Tsongas ran 30 years ago.

Keep up the good work Bernie....Cheers.

Anonymous said...

She will have my vote, I'm sorry but the democrats have proven they cannot be trusted with power.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Wild is no leftist. But she pretended to be one so she could beat Morganelli, and broke her word to him that she would run a clean campaign. That did her in with me. John forgives her. I don't.

OneBlockDown said...

Does MAGA-Nelli your #1 mancrush get upset with all the anti DJT pieces you post?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Mezzacappa, Go have another drink.

Anonymous said...

Still 12 months to go yet, but the environment will likely not be good for Scheller and other down ticket Republicans in Nov 2020. Trump is underwater in PA by 7-8 points and has been consistently for 15 months now - again things can change, but positions are hardening which makes moving that # increasingly difficult.

Beyond his rural voter base which is completely loyal, Trump won in 2016 on the backs of suburban college educated voters, Caucasian women and independent voters. THOSE were the votes that ultimately gave him the electoral college victories in PA, WI, MI, etc. All 3 of those groups went Dem in 2018 and unfavorability polling in those groups have actually increased in the last 12 months.

Independents almost always vote against the party in power and is a small group anyway. Trump/RNC need to figure out a way to woo back the suburban soccer moms or as the doctors told Bernie's mom when he was born... "Its gonna get ugly."

Sandra Weiss said...

It takes a whole bunch of cohones to tell your story of addiction even at a AA meeting but to announce it at the same time as you are announcing your running for office is BRAVE !!!

I know from experience after being front page news due to politics you gotta have tough skin and let the scumbags do their thing with your head held up high


So she has my vote and I just may do some campaighning Good Luck you will need it

Anonymous said...

Lisa doesn't have her hubby pulling the puppet stings. I doubt that she can think for herself. Also since, she is so use to bossing people around or paying for their campaigns. Her group of yes men will do as they are told and not think for themselves. I for one am not a fan and don't buy into her victimhood or poor choices. This narrative has gotten old. I wasn't bought and paid for nor, do I believe anything that this out of touch elitist has to say. She is an underhanded politician.

Bernie O'Hare said...

If she can't think for herself, why would she be bossing people around? You contradict yourself. Also, you call her underhanded with no explanation. That sounds like something Trump would do. ... or a Dean Browning supporter.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Still 12 months to go yet, but the environment will likely not be good for Scheller and other down ticket Republicans in Nov 2020. Trump is underwater in PA by 7-8 points and has been consistently for 15 months now - again things can change, but positions are hardening which makes moving that # increasingly difficult."

Agreed. She has a tough battle ahead of her.

Anonymous said...

The Valley Deplorables will rise to the occasion give her the job

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the right kind of candidate to me. I only wish that candidates would look beyond borders jobs education and so forth. Why do they not talk about all the baby boomers on social security that are getting a 1.6% raise for 2020 when the cost of living is triple that amount. My medical is going up 5% alone next year. My wife has Cancer so I can't drop my insurance coverage. Why are they not fighting for us. There are many many votes out there for someone to fight for higher COL increases for us.

Anonymous said...

she's lying about health care, her own company is about to go on strike, if she can't take care of her own company how will she work for Pennsylvania

Anonymous said...

Jobs - Scheller observed "Government cannot create jobs. Businesses do."

Untrue. The U.S. military uses more oil and creates more jobs than and single entity on earth.

Education is already free it's called Google, degrees cost money and are sold at "paper mills" across the country.

Don't know this person beyond this article but it appears to be an individual who inherited many gifts and opportunities and yet with it all became a drug addict. I complement her on her recovery many of us have weaknesses despite our good fortune. She has demonstrated she can do less with more, which is what her charge is when speaking of governmental job creation.

Her own argument on job creation indicates she should remain in the private sector where she is most effective.

Anonymous said...

Everyone I know would vote for her in she could nail down a contract with the U.S. Military.

Job, job, jobs, for the 7th! Could be her slogan.

Anonymous said...

She said we're not being represented yet Wild has only been in office for 10 months.

If she gets Trump-taint, it's over for her. (See John Morganelli)

Anonymous said...

Education is already free it's called Google, degrees cost money and are sold at "paper mills" across the country.

Tell that to the Princeton graduate that walks right into 6 figures on Wall St.

Get a grip.

Anonymous said...

4:01PM

Princeton is a "paper mill", those that go there had the 6 figures to begin with and without the internet it would be nearly impossible to complete the program. Absolutely nothing taught there escapes the internet.

We live in a time where anyone that can read at a college level can know as much about anything they want without the initiation fee.

Anonymous said...

Solid, strong candidate.

Anonymous said...

No more Trump sycophants in Washington.

Anonymous said...

Interesting historical reference to Paul Tax-on-gas.

Anonymous said...

Education is already free it's called Google

Face in palm.

Anonymous said...

Princeton is a "paper mill", those that go there had the 6 figures to begin with and without the internet it would be nearly impossible to complete the program. Absolutely nothing taught there escapes the internet.

We live in a time where anyone that can read at a college level can know as much about anything they want without the initiation fee.


OK, but Goldman Sachs isn't hiring anyone with the "paper" genius. You are not learning investment banking on "Google" and then getting a good job with it. (By the way, many middle class people go to Ivy League schools.). You need to get of Allentowm, my man.

Anonymous said...

12:47PM

Perhaps if I left Allentown and paid the price of admission to an ivy league school, they would of taught me the difference between a vocation and an education.

Any 3rd rate "Billy Ray Valentine" grifter could be exchange with an Upper-crust "Louis Winthorpe III" executive at Goldman Sachs. You talk as if being a bookie is rocket science.