national debt
For days I've been wanting to post something long and thoughtful about our current national woes, but other people (particularly osewalrus are covering that ground quite well and the words just haven't come. In lieu of that post, I'll share the messages I sent to my representatives in Congress. (I kept them short in hopes that this might increase the odds of some aide reading them from nil to near-nil.)
To the Republican:
Dear Senator Toomey,
I am a fiscal conservative and usually agree with the Republicans on financial matters. In this case, though, they are right: fixing the debt crisis has to involve spending cuts and changes in revenue, and I hardly think that closing loopholes like tax shelters for corporate jets counts in most peoples' minds as a "tax increase". The only way you'll preserve the base tax rates for all of us is to give on such loopholes; all Americans need to feel that we're in this together paying our fair share (and not one penny more). Tax reform and spending reform are critical topics for our legislature to address, but you cannot do it before August 2. The Reid plan is viable and we have no more time; please get past this crisis so you can get to work fixing the systemic problems that got us here.
The Democrats have given on the entitlements they hold so dear; it is time for the Republicans to also give. That's what "compromise" means. Holding America hostage to ideology, sending us all into calamity for the sake of grand ideas, is not productive.
Thank you.
To the Democrats:
Dear {Senator Casey, Congressman Doyle},
I am a fiscal conservative and usually disagree with the Democrats on financial matters. In this case, though, you are right and the Republicans are recklessly endangering this country's future. Reid's plan is the only viable option at this time. Please hold firm in the face of tantrums from people who don't understand that "compromise" means both sides give some. Thank you.
To the Republican:
Dear Senator Toomey,
I am a fiscal conservative and usually agree with the Republicans on financial matters. In this case, though, they are right: fixing the debt crisis has to involve spending cuts and changes in revenue, and I hardly think that closing loopholes like tax shelters for corporate jets counts in most peoples' minds as a "tax increase". The only way you'll preserve the base tax rates for all of us is to give on such loopholes; all Americans need to feel that we're in this together paying our fair share (and not one penny more). Tax reform and spending reform are critical topics for our legislature to address, but you cannot do it before August 2. The Reid plan is viable and we have no more time; please get past this crisis so you can get to work fixing the systemic problems that got us here.
The Democrats have given on the entitlements they hold so dear; it is time for the Republicans to also give. That's what "compromise" means. Holding America hostage to ideology, sending us all into calamity for the sake of grand ideas, is not productive.
Thank you.
To the Democrats:
Dear {Senator Casey, Congressman Doyle},
I am a fiscal conservative and usually disagree with the Democrats on financial matters. In this case, though, you are right and the Republicans are recklessly endangering this country's future. Reid's plan is the only viable option at this time. Please hold firm in the face of tantrums from people who don't understand that "compromise" means both sides give some. Thank you.