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open letter to my senators
This is a letter I wrote to the Maine's contingent in the senate about the recent vote on the first part of the President's job creation plan. A little more background is here, if you're not familiar with it.
I recently read about the 50-50 senate vote on S. 1723 (Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act of 2011 ). I feel this vote is a prime example of congress putting politics above the country and its people.
The business I work for is a sensible company. It will not hire more workers based on a hiring incentive or a tax break. It will hire more workers based on sales, based on consumers buying products. Our economy runs on the American consumer.
Consumers need stability. They need comfort. Once they feel comfortable, they'll begin to spend readily. Consumers aren't going to return to optimistic buying when they face the uncertainty of job loss and looming government shutdowns.
There is only so much government can do to return confidence to consumers. Right now, giving tax breaks to individuals won't return full measure because consumers are scared enough to reduce spending and save some small portion of their income. The only consumers who will spend all of a stimulus dollar are those with the lowest income.
Giving incentives to businesses in the current environment makes even less sense. Businesses, very sensibly, are hoarding cash and cutting back expansion plans. Until they have indications of growth and stability, they'll hoard cash and cut future commitments.
State and local governments tend to spend whatever money they have. Here you have an outlet for stimulus that will actual use every dollar they receive. But because it involved a tax increase or perhaps because of election posturing alone, it was killed.
I am not a member of the 1%, but I make a fair living. As long as I still have a job, I don't need my taxes reduced. I would feel much better paying the same or more taxes and knowing that this country is making real steps toward its future.
Congress has utterly failed the American people. The refusal to compromise on solutions has added to the feeling of instability. A well presented compromise solution, with long term vision, would relieve businesses and consumers. But instead there is posturing and evangelizing with unparalleled myopia.
You, my delegate in Washington, are one of the people who could show leadership and vision. Have you? Snowe (R-ME), Nay. Collins (R-ME), Nay.
I recently read about the 50-50 senate vote on S. 1723 (Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act of 2011 ). I feel this vote is a prime example of congress putting politics above the country and its people.
The business I work for is a sensible company. It will not hire more workers based on a hiring incentive or a tax break. It will hire more workers based on sales, based on consumers buying products. Our economy runs on the American consumer.
Consumers need stability. They need comfort. Once they feel comfortable, they'll begin to spend readily. Consumers aren't going to return to optimistic buying when they face the uncertainty of job loss and looming government shutdowns.
There is only so much government can do to return confidence to consumers. Right now, giving tax breaks to individuals won't return full measure because consumers are scared enough to reduce spending and save some small portion of their income. The only consumers who will spend all of a stimulus dollar are those with the lowest income.
Giving incentives to businesses in the current environment makes even less sense. Businesses, very sensibly, are hoarding cash and cutting back expansion plans. Until they have indications of growth and stability, they'll hoard cash and cut future commitments.
State and local governments tend to spend whatever money they have. Here you have an outlet for stimulus that will actual use every dollar they receive. But because it involved a tax increase or perhaps because of election posturing alone, it was killed.
I am not a member of the 1%, but I make a fair living. As long as I still have a job, I don't need my taxes reduced. I would feel much better paying the same or more taxes and knowing that this country is making real steps toward its future.
Congress has utterly failed the American people. The refusal to compromise on solutions has added to the feeling of instability. A well presented compromise solution, with long term vision, would relieve businesses and consumers. But instead there is posturing and evangelizing with unparalleled myopia.
You, my delegate in Washington, are one of the people who could show leadership and vision. Have you? Snowe (R-ME), Nay. Collins (R-ME), Nay.