Monday, November 21, 2011
Message Subject: Congressional Failure
Message Text:
Dear Representative Hartzler, I am writing you today to not only voice my displeasure at the complete failure of the "super committee" to reach any sort of agreement on cuts to our over-the-top spending, but also to ask that you and your collegues representing the American people consider other options to solving our economic crisis.
I addressed the topic of a National Sales Tax on a personal blog I author and after speaking with a nearly one hundred individuals (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) have found that an overwhelming majority would support a National Sales Tax in the amount of $.01 or $.02 per dollar spent. By using the 2010 Census data and other figures provided by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Bureau of Economic Data, I have found that a National Sales Tax of a single penny, for every dollar spent would generate an estimated thirty six billion dollars every year. A National Sales Tax is a fair and socio-economically neutral way to increase revenue for our struggling economy. Representative Hartzler, I realize that a national sales tax would not solve every economic issue that faces our nation. I also realize that thirty six billion dollars is a proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to the trillions of dollars we as a nation spend annually. However, thirty six billion dollars would provide a starting point for some sort of increased revenue for our nation. Couple that with a responsible, yet sizeable decrease in spending, our financial situation would improve drastically in a very short time.
I ask that you at least consider this suggestion for a moment and perhaps even bring it up during a discussion with your constituents and/or collegues. Regardless of the outcome, I sincerely hope that you as well as the rest of our elected government can put aside the finger-pointing and party-politics long enough to save our country from economic collapse and restore our economic standing in the world.
With the utmost respect,
(author's name witheld for blog post)
Dear Senator Blunt,
I am writing you today to not only voice my displeasure at the complete failure of the "super committee" to reach any sort of agreement on cuts to our over-the-top spending, but also to ask that you and your collegues representing the American people consider other options to solving our economic crisis.
I addressed the topic of a National Sales Tax on a personal blog I author and after speaking with a nearly one hundred individuals (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) have found that an overwhelming majority would support a National Sales Tax in the amount of $.01 or $.02 per dollar spent. By using the 2010 Census data and other figures provided by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Bureau of Economic Data, I have found that a National Sales Tax of a single penny, for every dollar spent would generate an estimated thirty six billion dollars every year. A National Sales Tax is a fair and socio-economically neutral way to increase revenue for our struggling economy. Senator Blunt, I realize that a national sales tax would not solve every economic issue that faces our nation. I also realize that thirty six billion dollars is a proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to the trillions of dollars we as a nation spend annually. However, thirty six billion dollars would provide a starting point for some sort of increased revenue for our nation. Couple that with a responsible, yet sizeable decrease in spending, our financial situation would improve drastically in a very short time.
I ask that you at least consider this suggestion for a moment and perhaps even bring it up during a discussion with your constituents and/or collegues. Regardless of the outcome, I sincerely hope that you as well as the rest of our elected government can put aside the finger-pointing and party-politics long enough to save our country from economic collapse and restore our economic standing in the world.
With the utmost respect,
(author's name witheld for blog post)
Dear Senator McCaskill,
I am writing you today to not only voice my displeasure at the complete failure of the "super committee" to reach any sort of agreement on cuts to our over-the-top spending, but also to ask that you and your collegues representing the American people consider other options to solving our economic crisis.
I addressed the topic of a National Sales Tax on a personal blog I author and after speaking with a nearly one hundred individuals (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) have found that an overwhelming majority would support a National Sales Tax in the amount of $.01 or $.02 per dollar spent. By using the 2010 Census data and other figures provided by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Bureau of Economic Data, I have found that a National Sales Tax of a single penny, for every dollar spent would generate an estimated thirty six billion dollars every year. A National Sales Tax is a fair and socio-economically neutral way to increase revenue for our struggling economy. Senator McCaskill, I realize that a national sales tax would not solve every economic issue that faces our nation. I also realize that thirty six billion dollars is a proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to the trillions of dollars we as a nation spend annually. However, thirty six billion dollars would provide a starting point for some sort of increased revenue for our nation. Couple that with a responsible, yet sizeable decrease in spending, our financial situation would improve drastically in a very short time.
I ask that you at least consider this suggestion for a moment and perhaps even bring it up during a discussion with your constituents and/or collegues. Regardless of the outcome, I sincerely hope that you as well as the rest of our elected government can put aside the finger-pointing and party-politics long enough to save our country from economic collapse and restore our economic standing in the world.
With the utmost respect,
(author's name witheld for blog post)
Message Text:
Dear Representative Hartzler, I am writing you today to not only voice my displeasure at the complete failure of the "super committee" to reach any sort of agreement on cuts to our over-the-top spending, but also to ask that you and your collegues representing the American people consider other options to solving our economic crisis.
I addressed the topic of a National Sales Tax on a personal blog I author and after speaking with a nearly one hundred individuals (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) have found that an overwhelming majority would support a National Sales Tax in the amount of $.01 or $.02 per dollar spent. By using the 2010 Census data and other figures provided by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Bureau of Economic Data, I have found that a National Sales Tax of a single penny, for every dollar spent would generate an estimated thirty six billion dollars every year. A National Sales Tax is a fair and socio-economically neutral way to increase revenue for our struggling economy. Representative Hartzler, I realize that a national sales tax would not solve every economic issue that faces our nation. I also realize that thirty six billion dollars is a proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to the trillions of dollars we as a nation spend annually. However, thirty six billion dollars would provide a starting point for some sort of increased revenue for our nation. Couple that with a responsible, yet sizeable decrease in spending, our financial situation would improve drastically in a very short time.
I ask that you at least consider this suggestion for a moment and perhaps even bring it up during a discussion with your constituents and/or collegues. Regardless of the outcome, I sincerely hope that you as well as the rest of our elected government can put aside the finger-pointing and party-politics long enough to save our country from economic collapse and restore our economic standing in the world.
With the utmost respect,
(author's name witheld for blog post)
Dear Senator Blunt,
I am writing you today to not only voice my displeasure at the complete failure of the "super committee" to reach any sort of agreement on cuts to our over-the-top spending, but also to ask that you and your collegues representing the American people consider other options to solving our economic crisis.
I addressed the topic of a National Sales Tax on a personal blog I author and after speaking with a nearly one hundred individuals (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) have found that an overwhelming majority would support a National Sales Tax in the amount of $.01 or $.02 per dollar spent. By using the 2010 Census data and other figures provided by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Bureau of Economic Data, I have found that a National Sales Tax of a single penny, for every dollar spent would generate an estimated thirty six billion dollars every year. A National Sales Tax is a fair and socio-economically neutral way to increase revenue for our struggling economy. Senator Blunt, I realize that a national sales tax would not solve every economic issue that faces our nation. I also realize that thirty six billion dollars is a proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to the trillions of dollars we as a nation spend annually. However, thirty six billion dollars would provide a starting point for some sort of increased revenue for our nation. Couple that with a responsible, yet sizeable decrease in spending, our financial situation would improve drastically in a very short time.
I ask that you at least consider this suggestion for a moment and perhaps even bring it up during a discussion with your constituents and/or collegues. Regardless of the outcome, I sincerely hope that you as well as the rest of our elected government can put aside the finger-pointing and party-politics long enough to save our country from economic collapse and restore our economic standing in the world.
With the utmost respect,
(author's name witheld for blog post)
Dear Senator McCaskill,
I am writing you today to not only voice my displeasure at the complete failure of the "super committee" to reach any sort of agreement on cuts to our over-the-top spending, but also to ask that you and your collegues representing the American people consider other options to solving our economic crisis.
I addressed the topic of a National Sales Tax on a personal blog I author and after speaking with a nearly one hundred individuals (Democrats, Republicans, and Independents) have found that an overwhelming majority would support a National Sales Tax in the amount of $.01 or $.02 per dollar spent. By using the 2010 Census data and other figures provided by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Bureau of Economic Data, I have found that a National Sales Tax of a single penny, for every dollar spent would generate an estimated thirty six billion dollars every year. A National Sales Tax is a fair and socio-economically neutral way to increase revenue for our struggling economy. Senator McCaskill, I realize that a national sales tax would not solve every economic issue that faces our nation. I also realize that thirty six billion dollars is a proverbial drop in the bucket when compared to the trillions of dollars we as a nation spend annually. However, thirty six billion dollars would provide a starting point for some sort of increased revenue for our nation. Couple that with a responsible, yet sizeable decrease in spending, our financial situation would improve drastically in a very short time.
I ask that you at least consider this suggestion for a moment and perhaps even bring it up during a discussion with your constituents and/or collegues. Regardless of the outcome, I sincerely hope that you as well as the rest of our elected government can put aside the finger-pointing and party-politics long enough to save our country from economic collapse and restore our economic standing in the world.
With the utmost respect,
(author's name witheld for blog post)
3 comments:
Received a call from Rep. Hartzler's office today. In a nutshell I was thanked for my email and my suggestion and that the Congresswoman was looking at different ways to reform the tax code etc, etc, etc. General niceties but more than I expected to get from a Congresswoman. Up next, 2 Senators...stay tuned.
Dear XXX,
Thank you for your suggestion regarding a national sales tax.
With the federal debt totaling over $14 trillion, our biggest challenge as a nation is getting our fiscal house in order. Everything should be on the table as we work together to rein in out-of-control spending. Hard times call for a hard look at government spending, and it's time to move forward and work together to right our nation's economy.
Unfortunately, President Obama and Congressional Democrats want to increase taxes so they can continue to spend even more money, not to balance the budget or pay down debt. Our country is struggling to recover from the greatest downturn since the Great Depression, and increasing taxes is not the answer. The problem is not that Americans don't pay enough in taxes. The problem is that the government spends too much. We need a plan that balances the budget in the next decade, encourages private sector job creation, and provides greater certainty for small businesses struggling to create jobs and make ends meet.
I will continue looking for more ways to cut spending and apply those savings to deficit reduction. I am an original cosponsor of S.J. Res. 3, which provides for a Balanced Budget Amendment. This would simply force Washington to live by the same rules that Missouri families live by.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I look forward to continuing our conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SenatorBlunt) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RoyBlunt) about the important issues facing Missouri and the country. I also encourage you to visit my website (blunt.senate.gov) to learn more about where I stand on the issues and sign-up for my e-newsletter.
Sincere regards,
Roy Blunt
United States Senator
December 12, 2011
Dear XXX,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the federal budget. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.
Like you, I am frustrated that efforts to fix our nation's finances have been stalled. We need to find a compromise before credit rating agencies downgrade our debt and before the interest payments on the debt begin to exceed national priorities, like repairing our nation's roads and providing affordable education.
As you may know, the Budget Control Act, signed into law on August 1, 2011, created the "Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction," a bipartisan, bicameral twelve person committee in Congress with the sole mission of putting forth a proposal to bring down the nation's deficit and debt. On November 21, 2011, the committee announced that it failed to come to an agreement and meet this deadline.
In accordance with the Budget Control Act, the federal budget will now be subject to across-the-board, automatic cuts starting in January, 2013, and caps on spending until 2021, constituting a $1.2 trillion reduction in spending. The cuts will be split evenly between defense and non-defense programs. However, Social Security, Medicaid, veteran's benefits, and a few other programs will be exempt from the automatic cuts.
Many budget experts and economists believe that these automatic cuts would be problematic for our economy, national defense, and many programs like education and transportation on which middle class Americans rely. The automatic cuts were included because they were intended to force the Joint Committee, and subsequently Congress, to come to an agreement rather than risk having the automatic cuts go into effect. I remain deeply disappointed that the Joint Committee failed to compromise and come to a responsible, bipartisan agreement to address our nation's debt. Congress has become too polarized, with those on the far right and the far left unwilling to compromise at all.
I believe we need a bipartisan compromise that will address our nation's long term debt and prevent across the board cuts. A compromise will require Democrats and Republicans to accept some recommendations of the other side. Balance will go a long way towards achieving our goals.
Such an approach to reducing the deficit could include cuts in federal spending, but also must raise revenue, such as by simplifying and cleaning out the tax code. We should also eliminate duplication and fraud from federal programs and introduce expanded means testing into more programs so taxpayers are not paying for such things as Warren Buffet's prescription drugs. With these and other commonsense measures, we would be able to make smart, targeted reforms to Defense programs so that we do not undermine our national security. We would also be able protect Social Security, Medicare, and other important programs from severe and regressive cuts that unfairly target the poor and seniors and that could slow down our economy.
What is clear is that the American people lose when Washington politics gets in the way. We have a difficult road ahead, and we need real, bipartisan compromise to solve our nation's complex fiscal problems. I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to seek such compromise that will bring our nation's budget to balance.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Claire McCaskill
United States Senator
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