Monday, March 02, 2009

A SENATOR RESPONDS

My Senator, Jim Webb ($-VA), finally responded to my concerns about the spending ... oops, “stimulus” package passed by Congress:

Dear Dr. Hankamer:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the ongoing economic crisis and the federal government's response. I appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns with me.

The United States is facing an economic crisis that is causing American families to fall behind. Communities are being hard hit by home foreclosures, failing businesses, and job losses that are almost unprecedented in recent history. As your U.S. Senator, I am committed to supporting policies that will help end the economic crisis and will help restore basic fairness for all Americans.

It is for this reason that I supported the bi-partisan American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1). This economic recovery package is designed to swiftly drive money into our struggling economy. With help for struggling families, meaningful tax cuts and concentrated funding on key infrastructure programs, I am hopeful that this responsibly-crafted legislation will create millions of new jobs and begin immediately to restore America's economic strength.

As one of those who were concerned with many aspects of the original proposal, I was pleased to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to put this plan into place within a set of targeted parameters for economic renewal. My Senate colleagues and I focused on programs to help families struggling under today's serious economic downturn, on shovel-ready infrastructure and public works projects, and on addressing the housing crisis. I am pleased that we were able to remove almost $100 billion in spending from the original proposal.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act also contains tax cuts for families and businesses, provisions to help unemployed Americans keep their health care and find new employment, and provides aid to help the most vulnerable. While this legislation is an important step, other measures must be adopted to restore the health of our economy. These include appropriate reforms of our banking and financial systems, tax fairness, and measures to place the nation on a long-term path to fiscal responsibility.

I appreciate hearing from my constituents. Your correspondence helps me serve you better in the Senate. I hope that you will continue to share your views with me and my staff in the years ahead.

I would also invite you to visit my website at www.webb.senate.gov for regular updates about my activities and positions on matters that are important to Virginia and our nation.

Thank you once again for contacting my office.

Sincerely,

Jim Webb
United States Senator


OK, Jimbo, one question: just how do plan to pay for this trillion (Ed: that’s 12 zeros, my friend) dollar “bi-partisan” (Ed: I see; it takes 3 Republican votes to be bi-partisan) “responsibly-crafted legislation” (Ed: your words, not mine: responsible must mean vote for without reading)?

Capital gains tax? Hey, I’ve already got enough long-term capital losses to offset any “gains” for the next five years.

Tax the rich? Don’t get your hopes up. My wife and I would qualify as “rich” by Democrat standards if we both worked full-time, which we don’t – and won’t. The blunt fact is that our marginal tax rate is so high that it’s not worth working full time.

So let me ask again: how do the Democrats plan to pay for this abortion? The honest answer, of course, is that our children and grandchildren will pay. Are you willing to answer honestly?

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