Venting Steam

Normally, I would not use this blog spot for such a personal matter. But with the current financial crisis and since we are in the middle of a presidential election, I felt it prudent to share a few thoughts. You may agree, you may disagree. But if nothing else this will help you think of what is important.
What follows is a letter I e-mailed to my representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. How I wish he would send a copy to all his cohorts. But even if he is the only one who reads it, I have said my piece.

A LETTER TO MY ELECTED OFFICIALS

In the face of our nation’s current fiscal crisis, “we the people” are looking for some real leadership. Our nation was founded on the principles of a free market economy which is driven by enterprise rather than socialism. Slowly but surely, our elected leaders have slid down the shady slippery slope of greed and corruption. Corporate greed is not isolated to Wall Street in New York; it has extended to Pennsylvania Avenue and the U. S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

How about some sensible and responsible leadership that demonstrates that you realize you are the elected representatives of “we the people”? Thank yous go out to those in the House of Representatives who voted on September 29th according to the wishes of their constituents. They kept in mind that the government is by, for and of the people. It would do all of them well to remember that each time they are casting a vote for a bill. How grateful we are for the congressmen and representatives that actually keep in touch with and listen to “we the people.”

As for the rest of Congress who listen to the backroom voices of special interest lobbyists, SHAME ON YOU! You stand in front of a microphone denouncing corporate greed and the “rich getting richer,” while all along you are padding your pockets – whether personally or for your own special interests in your district – with the hard earned money of “we the people.” Pork barrel spending, or “earmarks” as you like to call them, are out of control and should be eliminated. Many of the special interests already have hefty corporate sponsors and tremendous local support. Your additional earmarks are unnecessary – except that they get your name on a stretch of highway. CUT THE PORK NOW!

While you’re cutting pork, here’s another novel idea: CUT SPENDING. The reason one party wants to tax “we the people” more is so they will have more of our money to throw at special interest groups. This tax and spend policy has run amok in Washington for far too long. It has created a welfare state in which people can simply do nothing and get paid for it. I’m sure that’s not what FDR had in mind.

Something else that should be cut in the face of this economic crunch is taxes on capital gains and corporations. This would flood the economy with an infusion of spending and economic growth. So, suspend the capital gains tax and the corporate tax for two years. Let the economy grow, as it always does, in the free market of capitalism.









“We the people” are not interested in buying into a financial game that is corrupt, irresponsible and unaccountable. As was reported in the Wall Street Journal, $700 billion is just a “really high number.” Instead of putting “we the people” on the hook for a debt we had nothing to do with why not hold people accountable for what they’ve done. FIRE the people who got us into this mess. Stand up to the representatives who were in charge when all this fell apart. It would be so encouraging for “we the people” to see one – just one – congressman or representative to stand on the House or Senate floor and tell the American people how they have been robbed by politicians – on both sides of the aisle – through pork and earmarks. If you are voting no on a bill because it is loaded with pork, tell us so BEFORE the vote so we can call, write and e-mail the appropriate greedy representatives.

And now a word to any “we the people” who may happen to read this: how foolish of us to continually re-elect officials who betray the public trust. One U.S. Senator from Alaska is on trial on corruption charges as we write these words. Amazingly, he is still winning his race for re-election. The brains of some “we the people” must be filled with mush. It is indeed time for change. “We the people” must change our attitude toward our government and let our voices be heard. One presidential candidate thinks the way to fix our economy is to take more of your hard-earned money through increased taxes and more spending; the other thinks the economy will grow through the principles of capitalism, meaning you get to keep more of your money and the government controls it less. Remember, folks: “They” represent “us!” Be active – be alert – be informed – and be vigilant.