November 5, 2005
Contacted Senators Isakson & Chambliss
I sent the below communications to both of my Senators regarding Porkbusters 2.0 (hat tip to RG Combs for pointing this out). This is all regarding Senator Coburn and the “Fiscal Watch Team” (press release), who have proposed about $130B in spending cuts over the next two years.
After the usual salutations, here is the meat of the letters:
I am writing as a constituent, in order to urge you to support the offset program presented by Tom Coburn and a group of senators who call themselves the “Fiscal Watch Teamâ€. In the wake of the hurricanes and spending associated with the War on Terror, our government must tighten its belt to ensure that we do not pass along an insurmountable debt to our children and grandchildren.
The proposal by Senator Coburn will do the following:
-A freeze on cost-of-living adjustments for federal employees, including members of Congress, with the exception of law enforcement and military personnel.
-A two-year delay in implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit except for low-income seniors who would receive $1,200 in assistance with their drug discount cards.
-A requirement that those with higher incomes pay higher Medicare Part B premiums in 2006, rather than in 2007 as currently scheduled.
-Eliminate $24 billion in special project spending in the recently passed highway bill.
-A cut of 5% to all federal spending programs except those which impact national security, with 1% set aside for funding of essential programs.
These cuts are expected to trim as much as $130 Billion from our spending over the next two years. We have significant and unavoidable responsibilities in our government; we simply cannot afford to continue spending at this rate. I urge you to support spending cuts in addition to your support of S.1932, because fiscal responsibility is an issue that important to current voters, as well as future voters who will have to pay the tab when it comes due. I also appreciate your support of recent spending restraint that will save about $100 Billion over the next 10 years, but I feel that will not be nearly enough to solve the problem.
The italicized portion was sent only to Senator Isakson, as he recently came out in favor of some spending cuts, but not nearly enough.
I followed this up with language thanking Senator Chambliss for his outspoken support of the FairTax, and reminding Senator Isakson that my vote is dependant on him supporting the FairTax. That was followed by contact information/etc.
I will print these letters out and fax them tomorrow, as well as send hard copies through the usual channels. as always, when I hear back, my readers will be the first to know.
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