Letter from Senator Kohl regarding Stimulus Bill

Dear Ms. Draeger:
Americans everywhere are suffering due to the economic downturn, with jobs, life savings, and basic needs at stake. Our economy has officially been in a recession since December 2007, and America has lost 2.6 million jobs in that time, the biggest loss since 1945. I support a broad recovery package to help struggling families through these difficult times and jumpstart our faltering economy through sound investments. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue, and welcome this opportunity to respond. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 strikes a balance between government investments and tax breaks to foster economic development and help Americans make ends meet. The package invests in energy independence, education, health care, transportation, job training, and small businesses. Additionally, the legislation includes tax breaks such as the "Making Work Pay" tax credit, which reduces payroll taxes for middle class Americans and increases take home pay on every paycheck. Existing federal benefits for disabled veterans and seniors will also be increased to help these vulnerable populations, and the earned income tax credit will be expanded to assist the nation's struggling working families. I am working hard to ensure the recovery package helps those Americans who need it most. I led efforts in the Senate to include $1 billion for job training programs to help displaced workers update their skills, because putting people back to work is fundamental to restarting the economy. As Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I supported a temporary boost in food stamps. I also fought for school breakfasts and lunches, and the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC). With people losing their jobs, I am committed to keeping resources in place to help families put food on the table. Most economists agree that a food stamp increase, because of the way food stamps are distributed and spent, is one of the quickest ways for government to stimulate the economy. While I believe an expansive recovery package is necessary to confront the recession, it is critical for Congress to spend these funds prudently and avoid waste, fraud, and abuse. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act does not include any earmarks. The legislation uses formula-based funding that flows directly to the states. Formula funding allows state and local officials - who best know state and local needs - to direct resources to the highest priority projects. They can also direct resources to projects that are most "ready to go." I will keep your thoughts in mind as the legislation comes before the full Senate. I have heard from many Wisconsinites with a wide range of viewpoints on this issue, and I appreciate every letter and phone call I receive because they help me to know what is important to people back home. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future if I can be of any further assistance to you. Sincerely,
Herb Kohl
U.S. Senator
My Reply:
Mr. Kohl, with all due respect, your reply to my letter concerning the out of control spending package is simply stupid! Food stamps do not stimulate the economy. While I believe there certainly is a place for WIC and food stamps, this economic recovery bill is not it. Critical for Congress to safe guard where the money goes and how it is spent? Are you kidding me? Number one, it is quite apparent that many in Congress haven't a clue why lower taxes make sense because they simply don't pay them. Or they write in loop holes to profit from various tax laws. Direct funds to "ready to go" projects? Pet projects I guess, that sure is the way the package looks. And this line from your letter; "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act does not include any earmarks." lets me know you are clueless. Those of us that work hard, pay our taxes, help our kids and our parents and save for our retirement are just sick and tired of this. Where on God's green earth do you think this money is going to come from? Are you going to sell the Bucks and give everybody money? No, it will come from us, our children and our grandchildren. And we pass on to them NO opportunity for any kind of American Dream. All the meddling from government in business and peoples personal lives is one of the reasons we are in this mess. When you are broke the only way to get back on your feet is to STOP SPENDING. We little people know that. Clearly the economy is really in the tank now because there isn't anyone with an ounce of sense and a few dollars that will spend now. You guys have backed us in to the poor house and the few pennies we have left we have to hold on too. Outrageous, simply outrageous!