damania
10-05-2008, 10:36 PM
I've interjected my own thoughts in bold.
Dear 6 year old child:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the financial rescue legislation (H.R.1424). I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue. (Sure you do)
The fundamentals of our economy have been shaken, and Americans are deeply concerned. When Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke placed an urgent phone call a few weeks ago to Congress to say we needed emergency action to prevent a major financial meltdown, I expected they would come forward with a plan that was targeted and reasonable, with appropriate oversight and taxpayer protections.
Unfortunately, what they brought us was a $700 billion blank check, which they asked us to sign with no questions asked. This plan contained no oversight, no taxpayer equity, and no control over CEO pay. I strongly opposed this proposal - and thanks to your phone calls, e-mails, and letters, Congress stopped it in its tracks. (Of course, if the Senate had first dibs on it, I would have voted for it)
The Senate made major improvements (like massive pork. Now it's at least $850 billion. Yeay for us.) designed to strengthen (my and my contributors pockets) our economy and protect our taxpayers. Instead of a blank check, the Senate plan included significant Congressional oversight (you gotta be kidding me. oversight?), equity for taxpayers, curbs on executive compensation, an increase in FDIC insurance protection for bank depositors (yeay more FDIC for the mess u guys made), middle-class tax relief, and job-creating tax incentives for renewable energy (hahaha ya right, nice try). The bill passed the Senate by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 74-25 and the House by a vote of 263-171.
These were very important changes. But let me be honest: There were still aspects of this package that I didn't like. (not enuff pork) I preferred the government acquiring more equity instead of toxic assets. I wanted the package (I want a mercedes, but that's not gonna happen is it?) to be put forward in smaller installments and to include more checks and balances (your checks and balances are in voting no to something that has no checks and balances) to make sure it would work.
For me, the deciding factor in my Yes vote was information I received from the State of California . I was told by the Treasurer's office that without access to credit, which is the goal of this legislation, California wouldn't be able to sell voter-approved highway, school, and water bonds that are desperately needed for our economy and the creation of good-paying new jobs. (maybe people should start living within their means?) In addition, I was told by the Governor's office, that without action, our state might be forced to withhold funds for law enforcement, schools, and other needed services. (what about unnecessary programs and pay cuts for useless government workers such as yourself?) This would bring our state to its knees and many middle-class families would be in deep trouble. Small businesses are beginning to tell me they cannot get lines of credit to meet payroll, as well. (well duh, the big banks put their money into a home of person with bad credit. Did they try a different bank?)
Rest assured, I will continue to speak out forcefully (I'd prefer you stay shut up) about the failures that led us to this place (did u check the mirror? oh that's right, it was Osama) and keep working with my colleagues to strengthen confidence in our markets, protect the American taxpayers, and enact regulatory reform to ensure that we don't end up in this mess again.
Again, thank you for writing to me about this very important matter. Even though you may feel frustrated with the outcome of the legislation that passed, your voice absolutely resulted in the enactment of a better bill. (sure it did) Feel free to contact me again (you sure I can?) about any issue of importance to you.
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Please visit my website at http://boxer.senate.gov
PS: Elect me because I'm doing a fine job. Barbara Boxer didn't even think of writing to you. *Pat on the back*
Dear 6 year old child:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the financial rescue legislation (H.R.1424). I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue. (Sure you do)
The fundamentals of our economy have been shaken, and Americans are deeply concerned. When Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke placed an urgent phone call a few weeks ago to Congress to say we needed emergency action to prevent a major financial meltdown, I expected they would come forward with a plan that was targeted and reasonable, with appropriate oversight and taxpayer protections.
Unfortunately, what they brought us was a $700 billion blank check, which they asked us to sign with no questions asked. This plan contained no oversight, no taxpayer equity, and no control over CEO pay. I strongly opposed this proposal - and thanks to your phone calls, e-mails, and letters, Congress stopped it in its tracks. (Of course, if the Senate had first dibs on it, I would have voted for it)
The Senate made major improvements (like massive pork. Now it's at least $850 billion. Yeay for us.) designed to strengthen (my and my contributors pockets) our economy and protect our taxpayers. Instead of a blank check, the Senate plan included significant Congressional oversight (you gotta be kidding me. oversight?), equity for taxpayers, curbs on executive compensation, an increase in FDIC insurance protection for bank depositors (yeay more FDIC for the mess u guys made), middle-class tax relief, and job-creating tax incentives for renewable energy (hahaha ya right, nice try). The bill passed the Senate by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 74-25 and the House by a vote of 263-171.
These were very important changes. But let me be honest: There were still aspects of this package that I didn't like. (not enuff pork) I preferred the government acquiring more equity instead of toxic assets. I wanted the package (I want a mercedes, but that's not gonna happen is it?) to be put forward in smaller installments and to include more checks and balances (your checks and balances are in voting no to something that has no checks and balances) to make sure it would work.
For me, the deciding factor in my Yes vote was information I received from the State of California . I was told by the Treasurer's office that without access to credit, which is the goal of this legislation, California wouldn't be able to sell voter-approved highway, school, and water bonds that are desperately needed for our economy and the creation of good-paying new jobs. (maybe people should start living within their means?) In addition, I was told by the Governor's office, that without action, our state might be forced to withhold funds for law enforcement, schools, and other needed services. (what about unnecessary programs and pay cuts for useless government workers such as yourself?) This would bring our state to its knees and many middle-class families would be in deep trouble. Small businesses are beginning to tell me they cannot get lines of credit to meet payroll, as well. (well duh, the big banks put their money into a home of person with bad credit. Did they try a different bank?)
Rest assured, I will continue to speak out forcefully (I'd prefer you stay shut up) about the failures that led us to this place (did u check the mirror? oh that's right, it was Osama) and keep working with my colleagues to strengthen confidence in our markets, protect the American taxpayers, and enact regulatory reform to ensure that we don't end up in this mess again.
Again, thank you for writing to me about this very important matter. Even though you may feel frustrated with the outcome of the legislation that passed, your voice absolutely resulted in the enactment of a better bill. (sure it did) Feel free to contact me again (you sure I can?) about any issue of importance to you.
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Please visit my website at http://boxer.senate.gov
PS: Elect me because I'm doing a fine job. Barbara Boxer didn't even think of writing to you. *Pat on the back*