Economic Insanity

Yesterday Moody’s Investors Service, the leading global credit rating firm, issued a dire warning to the United States. It stated that if our deficit was not reduced or economic growth was not more robust than expected, that this country may well lose its Triple-A credit rating. This would mean that fewer entities would be willing to loan us money and that the interest rates for future loans would go up. This was to be expected after last year’s borrowing and spending spree. The proposed 2011 budget that was submitted this week was the final straw.

This proposed budget did not seek to stabilize debt levels in relation to gross domestic product nor did it seek to reduce spending. Will someone in Washington get serious about this impending financial disaster? We must stop spending what we do not have. Cutting 20 billion dollars from a 3.8 trillion dollar budget is not getting serious about our debt level.

It is almost impossible for economic growth to become more robust. The uncertainty that Washington has created with current and proposed legislation has seriously frightened businesses. They are afraid to grow and are hunkering down waiting to see the outcome of the governmental storm. They do not know what new taxes or regulations will be imposed on them next. Government has become a roadblock to economic growth.

If we hope to remain a tier one nation, Washington must curtail its compulsive spending and borrowing. You must know that the Jobs/Stimulus bill you are considering is stuffed with waste and pet spending projects. You must know that the proposed budget contains the same unnecessary wasteful spending. You must come to your collective senses and cut these useless expenditures. Irresponsible spending and borrowing did not work last year and it will not work this year. Washington has put the nation at risk.

Signed,
The Electorate

Economy: Congressional Priorities

Congress needs to readjust its priorities. It should be concentrating on reviving the ailing economy. This is the vital issue. Unemployment will soon be ten percent. Instead Congress is concentrating on an energy bill and a health care bill. These may be important but are not vital. In fact, both these bills, as they are being proposed, will adversely effect the economy.

What we need is more jobs. Small businesses drive our economy and create most of our new jobs. These bills will cripple small businesses and many will cease to exist. These bills will cause job loss. Agendas can wait. The economy can not. Ask someone, who is out of work, if he or she would rather have a job or guaranteed health care. Ask them if they would rather have a job or reduce carbon emission by under one percent by the end of the century. The answers would be unanimous - jobs.

Any bill that is passed should not be detrimental to the economy. Every bill should be looked at through the prism of the economy. That should be Congress' priority.

Signed,
The Electorate

Questions of Common Sense

These are 8 questions posed by Glenn Beck in his book, Common Sense - The Case Against An Out-Of-Control Government, inspired by Thomas Paine. Americans may, in general, have much more in common than we imagine if you compare my answers to yours.

1. Do you trust those in power to always tell you the hard truth - especially if it would hurt them at election time?

No. That's the simplest way to say it. If it will hurt their chances to get elected, I do not trust either of my Congressmen or my Representative to tell me the truth. My Representative is already running campaign style ads even though she was elected a little over 8 months ago. She is boasting over TARP and pushing the Health Care bill.

2. How is it possible that every president since Jimmy Carter has promised to lower our dependence on foreign oil, but now we import more oil than ever from countries that do us harm?

They lie to us? Or more correctly, they tell us what we want to hear and then go forward with what their plans were all along. I wonder how much of our dependence on foreign oil is the result of back room dealing. We could have easily drilled for and processed more oil than we have. Off-shore drilling has become safer and more efficient than ever. The main problem lies in transport (where most spillage happens) and in processing. We have a dearth of plants to process crude oil. It's from the "not in my backyard" syndrome. It sounds like a good idea but no one wants it near them.

3. Are we to honestly believe that the country that took the idea of a man walking on the moon and turned it into a reality within eight years, or the country that built a transcontinental railroad in seven years (without power tools or machines) doesn't have the ability to completely build the 670-mile fence along our southern border that was promised to us in 2005?

They seem to expect us to believe it. I'm under the impression that our elected officials do not have a high opinion of the intelligence or memories of their constituents. That must be why they keep making promises and yet never following through. We are an advanced, accomplished nation who, for the most part, is not afraid of a little hard work. The fence could have easily been constructed no later than 2007. That would anger a voting block though (ignoring the fact that if a person is here illegally they are not supposed to be voting). Our government seems to prefer blaming American landowners along the border for any violence that occurs instead of the people trespassing on and vandalizing their land. Unfortunately, unless an massive, tragic event that cannot be ignored by those in power occurs as a result of the unsecured southern border it is unlikely to happen.

4. Why are the same politicians who insist America is a "melting pot" the first ones to insist that different races, nationalities, and ethnicities retain their distinct languages, identities, and practices?

I had a hard time with this question, or more correctly, I had a hard time not answering it as "they're idiots who'd rather stump for future votes than follow our laws and customs." This country has been shaped by those immigrants who came here legally (by what ever laws governed their time) and adapted to us as we adapted to them. They took the time and had the pride to want to become part of their new home. They did not want to retain all of where they had left. If they did, they would never have left. I can trace on my father's side ancestors who came to this country before the Revolution and on my mother's side ones who immigrated at the turn of the 20th Century. Each took on the new language, customs and traditions of their new home while integrating some of their own traditions. The point is to mix and adapt.

5. Why are those who respectfully question the science behind global warming mocked and condemned?

If you can not defend your reasons, you mock those who question you. It's a distraction technique. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

6. Do you believe that your elected representatives view themselves as truly being "public servants" who place your well-being above their own?

I believe they tell themselves that as they pat their own backs. In reality, they toe the party line without regard to the input of their constituents. I do not think they realize they can be voted OUT of office as easily as they were voted IN.

7. Do you believe that those in Washington see your face when they make decisions or, instead, the faces of those who richly contribute to their campaigns?

The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" applies here. They will see first what pads their pockets and increases their power. It is our duty, as those they represent, to REMIND them that we are here and we care what is happening. We need to frequently, whether by phone, letter or email, let those we elected know our views on the issues. This is part of our responsibility as Americans. "We the people" implies action on our parts to support and maintain the writings that govern our lives.

8. Do you believe that our "public servants" have your best interests at heart and will defend your life, liberty, and property?

I wish for it. I hope for it. I dream for it. Alas, it is not our current reality. Congress has shown that they will hold to a certain set of actions regardless of what their constituents may feel and damn the consequences. I think they no longer serve the public but themselves.

I was not always so cynical about our government. It is a good one representing freedom and unity. Our Constitution is a timeless work designed to protect the governed from those who would govern. Somewhere along the way, our elected officials departed from this path. They instead choose to push their powers to micromanage the lives of those they were intended to serve "for our own good." We need to regain the path of freedom from interference. We need to take a stand and announce to, nay demand, a return to common sense and practicality.

We need our officials to recognize simple truths such as for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, if you tax a business, they will pay for that tax with increased prices. Those increase prices will not be affordable to those struggling in this weak economy. They will choose to do without. When they choose to do without, the business earns less money and will let workers go to balance their tills. Those workers let go, will be unable to afford the products as well and the cycle will continue. They need to step back and let business right itself. Nature wants to find a balance. Let it and stop playing whack-a-mole with the economy and our lives.

We need to make our voices heard in as many ways as possible whether in rallies, letters, blogs, emails, editorials, or phone calls. We need to make our elected "representatives" understand we are ready to make the choice to support them with neither money nor vote unless they return to the American paths of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Signed,
The Daughter of the Electorate

Cap and Trade: Destroying an Economy

Constituents really want to believe that the members of Congress are all reasoning, intelligent people and that the welfare of the country is their top priority. Why in a deepening recession would any sensible, intelligent person vote for legislation that would dramatically increase the prices of all goods? Cap + Trade will do this. It can only result in more jobs cuts and further outsourcing of other jobs.

How can this help the economy? This country is on the brink of an economic disaster of unbelievable proportions. Congress should not be feeding the fire. Cap + Trade is economic suicide. Data shows it does very little to help the environment.

To accomplish little why are you seeking to destroy much? You will change a deep recession into a deep depression. Voting for Cap + Trade puts personal agenda before the good of the nation. I am appalled that any legislator would even consider a bill that includes Cap + Trade.

Signed,
The Electorate

Economy: Outside the Beltway

belt.way.itis n.
1/ the mental inability to view the world as it actually is.

Congress needs to elevate its opinion of the American public. We are not stupid and we are not happy. We also are not impressed by the recent actions of Congress. Congress has taken a bad situation and made it worse by doing the exact oppose of what it should be doing to help this country recover from this recession. Basic economics dictate that the way to stimulate a sagging economy is to lower personal and business taxes - especially small business taxes since most of our new jobs come from this sector. Unemployment has risen and will continue to do so. If unemployment data included those who are no longer eligible for unemployment benefits the unemployment rate would already be in double digits. The first stimulus didn't work. Now you are considering repeating your first mistake. Einstein once stated that the definition of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting different results. Stop the insanity! The American public is slow to anger, but its patience is limited. Stop trying to change our country and concentrate on fixing our economic problems. We have been pushed about as far as we will go. Back off!

Cap & Trade, "Killing the Economy"

The House passed Cap + Trade. Shame on them! Now we must look to the Senate for some sanity. It is obvious that this bill will devastate the economy and deepen and lengthen the recession. It will cause increased unemployment and send more jobs overseas.

We are hurting out here! Why would any legislator vote for Cap + Trade??

Only four possibilities occur to me.

1/ They actually seek to further damage the economy, which would allow them to further extend governmental controls under the guise of crisis.

2/ They can not or will not oppose party leaders or policies.

3/ They are overly influenced by environmental lobbyists.

4/ They actually believe this legislation will help the environment even though facts show it will have little effect. We could drive Fred Flintstone cars and use candle light and it would only lower the carbon level in one hundred years by a fraction of one percent. We would be destroying ourselves for naught.

If we do not help ourselves, we can not help the world. Help us regain our economic strength.

Signed,
The Electorate

Please Vote Against the Energy Bill

To Congress,

Please do not vote for any energy bill that includes Cap + Trade.

Companies may pay this tax, but this tax will be passed along to us in much higher prices. Florida families and small businesses can not afford these government mandated higher prices. We are barely keeping our heads above water now.

Last year Florida polls showed that over 70% of Floridians supported the "all of the above" energy plan. We must develop new sources of energy, but we also must utilize current resources until these new sources are broadly available. We can't just squeak by using less until new sources are available. This would be economic suicide.

Signed,
The Electorate

Against Cap and Trade

American Solutions has a new commercial in the effort to stop the Cap and Trade bill that is being pushed through Congress.

The Markey-Waxman “Cap-and-trade” Energy Tax bill, in the current
form being considered by the House Energy and Commerce committee, would
have the following catastrophic effects by 2035:

1. Reduce aggregate gross domestic product (GDP) by $9.6 trillion annually;



2. Destroy 1,105,000 American jobs per year on average, with peak years seeing unemployment rise by over 2,479,000 jobs;



3. Raise electricity rates 90 percent after adjusting for inflation;



4. Raise inflation-adjusted gasoline prices by 74 percent;



5. Raise residential natural gas prices by 55 percent;



6. Raise an average family's annual energy bill by $1,500 annually; and



7. Increase inflation-adjusted federal debt by 26 percent, or $29,150 additional federal debt per person, again after adjusting for inflation.

Facts from: Heritage Foundation

If you want to donate to American Solutions to help get the ad on the air, click here.

Signed,

Daughter of the Electorate

Returning TARP Funds

From the Electorate:

Soon ten banks will be returning the TARP funds they received to the Treasury Department. The Treasury plans to keep these funds for future use. The TARP bill passed last fall stated that this returned money was to go towards reducing the deficit. Will Congress insist that the provisions of the TARP bill be followed?

Cap and Trade is a bad idea

To Congress,

Including Cap + Trade in the Energy Bill would be a gigantic mistake. It would have a massive negative effect on our struggling economy. It places a tax on companies that use carbon fuel. This tax will be passed down to consumers in higher prices. The cost of gas and electricity would increase by at least 50%. The cost of other goods and services would increase because of their dependence on the same items. The economic effect would be dire.

Cap + Trade would only have a negligible effect on the environment. If we could wave a magic wand and overnight eliminate the use of carbon based fuels in the United States, it would only lower the carbon in the atmosphere by a fraction of one percent. We are not the main polluters. We would devastate our economy while accomplishing virtually nothing. Cap + Trade will dramatically harm this country.

Signed,
The Electorate

Stop Digging

From April 17, 2009:

To Congress,

There is an old saying: when you dig yourself into a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging. STOP DIGGING! No nation has ever spent its way out of a recession. Nothing Franklin Roosevelt did shortened or ended the Great Depression. World War II ended the depression. Before we started gearing up for the war, unemployment was near 20%. Right now, unemployment is 8.5% and rising.

Spending money that we do not have will only cause inflation. We have a big problem and fiscal irresponsibility will only make it bigger. This is not the time to be a Democrat or Republican. It is the time to be an American and work together to strengthen our economy. We can, and should, debate ideologies at a later date.

Signed,
The Electorate