7.21.2011

Letter to Congressman about Deficit Reduction

I just sent a letter to my congressman, and I thought I would share it here.  If this is a subject you feel strongly about, you can send an e-mail using a very simple form to your house representative too - https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Dear Congressman Labrador,
As someone who consistently votes for Republican candidates, and believes that government should do less and individuals should take more accountability, I am thrilled that there is serious talk about reducing our national deficit.  The interest payments on our national debt are already staggering.
I have recently learned about the proposal from the gang of six in the senate to make steep cuts in entitlement programs (although I haven't heard what the proposed distribution of cuts is between social security, medicare, medicaid).  As I understand it, this proposal would also involve some tax increases, mainly by cutting existing deductions in our tax code, including charitable donations and mortgage interest.  Unfortunately, these tax code changes would probably mean the largest tax percentage increase for someone in my shoes, a middle class individual who donates 10% of their income yearly to charitable causes and who has a mortgage on a home.  If more of the reductions could be achieved through spending cuts alone, that would be great.  However, as everyone knows, no plan is going to pass that doesn't include big compromises from both sides.  I believe action must be taken to raise the debt ceiling (and that serious deficit reductions - 4 trillion + - should be included) before this looming August 2nd deadline.
As long as the large majority of deficit reduction is acheived through cuts and not through tax increases, I am a supporter of it, even it it means I will pay more in taxes next year by losing deductions.
Sincerly,
Frank Mark Salisbury
Resident of Boise and Republican