Targeted for Audit: A Common Sense Missourian Responds to Senator's Stimulus Email

Today I got an email from Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, who wanted to clarify a few things about the stimulus nonsense approved by DC Democrats - and a few moderate Republicans.

I guarantee that I'm marked for some form of audit - like anyone else who has an opposing view to Big Government's Ignorant Spending Habits.

I tried to respond to the email, but of course, it was sent from a disposable email. (They don't really want you to respond and I'm sure lawmakers - like Big Business - know that by taking out the easy step to send an email response, few will have the time or inclination to dig up the correct email to send their thoughts.)

Unfortunately, some poor intern emailed me today that she would be in my area sometime in March. Bless her, but I sent it directly to her. May be File 13ed, or passed around the office. Who knows? At least I know a real, live person actually READ what I think, and it didn't go to some junk box.

The Senator's words:

Dear Ms. Wilson:

I just want to set the record straight in regards to the recently passed Economic Recovery Act.

First, this legislation provides one of the largest tax cuts in American history. Unlike tax cuts passed in the Bush administration, these tax cuts will go to most people who live in Missouri, instead of primarily helping those people who make more than a million dollars a year. Almost one third of the bill, over $247 billion, will go back directly into the pockets of hard working, middle class families and individuals. Also included are a series of important tax cuts for small businesses that are the engine of our economy. These small businesses will be a big help in creating jobs to get us out of this economic mess.

Second, this legislation provides a massive investment in our roads, bridges, electric grid, railways, alternative energy, rural broadband, and scientific research. Jobs, jobs, jobs – millions of jobs. Within hours of the President signing the bill, Missouri was the first state to put people to work as MoDOT began fixing a dangerous bridge over the Osage River near Tuscumbia using the additional federal dollars for Missouri’s highways. We will receive $637.1 million in additional funds for Missouri roads and bridges.

There is a lot of misinformation about this legislation out there. All of the spending in this bill is through formula funding or competitive grants or loans. There are no earmarks. The money in the bill for rapid transit will be available to eight different high traffic corridors in our country, and they must compete for those funds. There is no bullet train to Las Vegas in this bill. Yes there is some funding for helping American manufacturers build alternative energy products, including batteries. Once again, this will create jobs and has the added benefit of getting us out from under the thumb of foreign oil.

This legislation is not perfect, but the Chamber of Commerce, most Republican governors in this country, economic experts, and the National Association of Manufacturers supported it. And the alternative was to do nothing. With thousands of Missourians losing their jobs every month, doing nothing just didn’t cut it for me. I’m proud I was able to work with some of my Republican colleagues to take some spending out of this bill that wasn’t going to create jobs and add oversight and accountability.

We have to remember that America can handle any problem that comes along. Our work ethic and ingenuity will prevail. This tax cut and stimulative spending will not cure the illness, but it will stop the bleeding. Together the tough grit of the American people will ultimately cure the illness. Don’t bet on failure, not in America.

All best,
Senator Claire McCaskill

My response:

Dear Senator:

You say in your letter that this was the best plan for America. The BETTER plan would have been to give the American people making less than $250,000 - or even $100,000 - a check for $25,000 to spend as they wished. Nothing stimulates the economy more than giving people tax-free cash - and giving it to people who can spend it appropriately. All the government has done is give money to corporate interests who have proven time and again that they cannot balance budgets or handle what money their investors put in their banks or investment firms.

And instead of getting jobs for REAL people, the money in these plans are going to state jobs. Everyone knows if you do not know someone who works for the state, if you are not married to them or related somehow, you don't get that job. So, essentially, you are giving jobs to your friends, and not regular folks who really need the jobs. Think about it for a second. Roads and bridges need special skills sets to build. And, of course, we know that MoDOT awards contracts for equipment and transporting that equipment to companies who grease the pockets of the right lawmaker at the right time.

Citibank gets more funds, and the New York Times reported recently that they got SCAMMED by someone from Nigeria. It makes me feel real good to know my tax dollars are going to bail them out. (Get on Digg and see just how many people have read the article and commented their outrage.)

Funny thing about your "tax cuts." You are giving Americans an additional $13 per paycheck beginning in April. Don't give them too much - God forbid they might pay off debt and save a bit. The problem? You didn't bother to change the TAX CODES, so that means every American will be TAXED on that money next year.

What kind of savings is that? Make 'em feel good now and make 'em pay later? That is just idiotic.

I don't want to hear anymore about the so-called "stimulus." It does nothing but make me angry as a taxpayer and as an American who does her best to balance her budget, not overspend and save for retirement, since lawmakers have misused Social Security to the point that it will be out by 2017.

This entire bill is wasteful and I will campaign actively against anyone who supported it - Republican or Democrat. Perhaps enough people will get angry enough to start supporting competent third-party candidates instead of the same old nuisances.