Democrats Rally at Dent's Office

For the , protesters dropped by U.S. Rep. Charlie in South Whitehall to urge a resolution to the debt ceiling crisis that has split Congress.

A few people lined Hamilton Boulevard with signs that read "Hands off my Medicare," while others, about a dozen in all, walked up to Dent's office to deliver their messages.

"He represents us, not [House Speaker] John Boehner," said Bill Thompson, of Allentown.

A group of Easton Democrats presented Dent's District Director Carol Harper with a petition that urges Dent to work with Democrats and President Obama to negotiate a plan for deficit reduction that doesn't "unfairly burden" any one segment of the population. They said 434 people had signed the petition.

Others carried a cake and broke out in a Happy Birthday song to Medicare, which turns 46 this month.

Harper said the congressman and his staff has heard from many people in recent days who have expressed opinions on both sides of the debt issue.

"People are sick of the fighting," she said. "Aren't we all sick of the fighting?"

She said Congress would be working through the weekend to try to reach a compromise and resolution to the issues. 

"He's down there doing what he needs to do," she said of Dent.

Lorraine Pasquali, vice chair of the Northampton County Democrats, said she hoped Dent would be leading toward a "good compromise" to resolve the debt ceiling crisis that threatens a national default and credit rating downgrade.

Dent has said that it's not an option for America to default on its obligations to seniors, creditors, military personnel and others. In an opinion piece he penned on Monday, he suggested an "intermediate" approach to the debt ceiling crisis that included a temporary debt ceiling increase and spending cuts.