Letter to Congress regarding Stimulus 2

In talking with a co-worker this week they mentioned they did not understand why people were talking about raising taxes or asking for loans from foreign countries, when in all probablity the money could be found in the current budget, give the government was held accountable for their spending.

Believe there is some validity to that and decided to ask my representatives just what was being done within government to control wastful spending. I also sent a copy of the letter to Change.gov, a website Obama's transition team is using for ideas.
As always feel free to us all or any of this letter in contacting your representaives.
They work for us, they need to give us answers.
Its Common Sense!

On Tuesday President Obama begins his new administration and we all know that his top priority is getting the economy back on track. He proposes a stimulation package that has a price tag somewhere between $800 billion and $1 trillion. We have heard a lot of deficit verses surplus, but there has not been a lot of talk regarding the overall American debt if this stimulus passes. Will we owe creditors $10 or $11 trillion dollars? What are the payback terms? What are the interest rates? What is the burden for my great grandchildren?

To pass the stimulus the USA will have to once again borrow from foreign nations, notably China, who I think we are becoming too dependent upon. In addition, we are going to have to start talking about raising taxes, not lowering them.Before either step is taken, if the President and Congress are serious about fiscal responsibility and everyone doing their part, then I think the first place we should look for the funding is within the Federal Government itself.

We all know about the wasteful spending that goes on in government. Agencies giving large amounts of overtime to employees who are no rated based on production and accuracy and who are pretty much free to do what they want. If employees are held to task, most of these overtime dollars would not be needed.

Everyone knows that the Defense Department abuses its budget no end. All of these contracts where the contractors never produced the final product with the money they bid. Instead they always are over budget. I believe now is the time to hold all contractors working for the government to live up to their contracts. If they cannot perform the task at the price they quoted, then the problem is theirs, not the American taxpayer.

Honest bids for honest work. No more coming back and expecting additional money because they erred when making their bid. These are professionals who know what they are doing, its time to stop them from milking the national purse.

Congress itself needs to look at the money being spent there. Are all these foreign junkets really necessary? Congress needs to lead the way in tightening the belt.Does Congress's health care plan cost the same as that offered to Federal employees? If it costs more and has better coverage, then it should be given to all Federal workers, or, better yet, Congress should be covered like the rest of Federal employees - more savings.

Before our country goes hat in hand, let's trim government spending and see just how much money is available with a fiscally responsible government. Let's hold all departments responsible for what they spend and let them justify how their money is used.Legitimate needs stay covered, frills go out the door.

Do not vote to raise (beg) additional money until you know how much the government can provide itself by spending responsibly.

The initial stimulus package that Congress told us would do so much, has thus far produced no positive results and has only raised more doubts and questions.

Before you allow Congress to commit to an even greater burden on the people, make sure you have done everything to use the funds already available before reaching out for more.

Thank you,Michael Wolfe