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Patient surveys allegedly linked to increased use of opioids

Our Opinion: Presidential hopefuls, here’s what Pennsylvanians need to hear from you

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; State Rep. Aaron Kaufer wears orange ties for a reason.</p><p>Kaufer, 27, the youngest legislator in the state, addressed over 40 students and faculty at King&#8217;s College as part of the Global Landscapes Conference on Wednesday. He told attendees of the conference that the tie and its color are a reminder that it was not about fitting in, but about making a difference.</p><p>Kaufer, R-Kingston, shared the challenges of running for office at a young age.</p><p>&#8220;People asked me what I was bringing to the table,&#8221; said the state representative, who won his seat in 2014. &#8220;I was bringing my commitment to the residents of my district, of the sate.&#8221;</p><p>In addition, Kaufer said he is willing to think outside the box, as far outside the box as necessary, even if that means facing opposition.</p><p>Kaufer&#8217;s presentation entitled &#8220;Neither Party: the Role of Youth in the Future of Politics,&#8221; underscored the importance of willingness to change both as individuals and as a nation.</p><p>Kaufer, who believes the two-party system does not best serve Americans, looked back to the words George Washington&#8217;s farewell address.</p><p>As the first president left office, he advised against political parties.</p><p>&#8220;He was protecting future generations from party politics that would divide our nation,&#8221; Kaufer said. &#8220;It doesn&#8217;t work.&#8221;</p><p>Kaufer said the focus should always be on issues and individuals.</p><p>&#8220;We should not be party driven, but people driven,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The two-party system lends itself to special interest groups and inefficient use of funds.&#8221;</p><p>Kaufer referred to casinos in the state which were originally touted to provide property tax relief or eradication.</p><p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t see that happen,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Instead I see money spent on race horses, which I see as as a special interest.&#8221;</p><p>During question-and-answer session, an attendee asked if perhaps a better outcome could be achieved by independent voters being part of a political party, making it more representative of voters as a whole.</p><p>Kaufer held fast to his belief that candidates should be represent issues they feel strongly about, and not be defined by a party.</p><p>&#8220;I am registered as a Republican, and had to be a Republican to vote for myself in the primary,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But often quality candidates have been lost in the primary because of the two-party system.&#8221;</p><p>Kaufer was one of many presenters during the two-day interdisciplinary conference which brought together educators, students and members of the community interested in examining issues in a global context.</p><p>Students also presented papers on global issues with topics ranging from risk-taking behavior to economic concerns within a global landscape.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">State Rep. Aaron Kaufer wears orange ties as a symbol of a willingness to think outside the box. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_townhall.jpg</photo0><caption0>State Rep. Aaron Kaufer wears orange ties as a symbol of a willingness to think outside the box. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_AaronKaufer.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Aaron Kaufer.  AIMEE DILGER Photos/The Times Leader 10/23/2012</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_AaronKaufer.jpg</photo1><caption1>Aaron Kaufer.  AIMEE DILGER Photos/The Times Leader 10/23/2012</caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Aaron Kaufer touts issues not party politics at Global Landscapes Conference