This'n'That; August First #3; Buerkle Reply

Some Congress-'persons' Actually DO READ Emails!
    [Something I've not gotten from C. Ellis Schumer, 'Invisible Senator' Gillibrand or Dorothy "Geeze-Louise" McIntosh Rodham Slaughter,] Below is the verbatim reply to my email concerning Ms Buerkle's (r, NY-25) vote on the debt ceiling fiasco:
July 29, 2011


Dear Mr. Case,
    This evening I voted for the Balanced Budget Act of 2011, which passed by a vote of 218-210 and has now been sent to the Senate. This bill is not the ultimate solution to our nation's spending-driven debt crisis, but it accomplishes what we've been working for since day one: it will reduce spending more than we increase the debt limit; it imposes no new taxes on anyone; and it guarantees House and Senate passage of a balanced budget amendment before any additional debt limit increase. This is not the end of our efforts to restrain spending, but another step.
    In just seven months, House Republicans are already changing the trajectory of federal spending and actually shrinking a federal government that has done nothing but expand for the past 40 years. In April, we passed a budget. Last week, we passed Cut, Cap and Balance. We have led the fight for controlling spending and saving our children and grandchildren from national bankruptcy and this bill will ensure that a Balanced Budget Amendment is sent to the states.
    Most Central New Yorkers believe that people – and Congress – should pay their bills. If the debt ceiling is not raised, at some point, obligations of the federal government will go unpaid. Failure to meet these obligations will cause even more economic harm than the Obama administration has already done. Further, uncertainty could lead to an increase in interest rates, which would hurt small businesses and families by increasing the rates on small business loans, credit cards, mortgage rates, car loans, and student loans.
    This debt crisis is the result of decades of overspending. To prevent a crisis we need to both raise the debt limit and cut spending. This bill does that without imposing new taxes that would crush job-creation in our already fragile economy. Further, it does not cut any Social Security or Medicare benefits that our seniors rely upon. It is my hope that the Senate will quickly pass the bill and send it to the President so we can continue to get our fiscal house in order and keep the American Dream alive for future generations.
    It is an honor to represent the people of the 25th District of New York. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of service. I have set up a special page to answer many frequently asked questions and dispel the rumors surrounding the current debate. If you would like more information, please visit my website at http://buerkle.house.gov/debt.


Sincerely,
/s/
Ann Marie Buerkle
Member of Congress
Til Nex'Time....