Scott Brown Responds to my Letter.

Last month I sent a letter to Senator Scott Brown expressing my disgust with him for voting against renewing extended benefits for the unemployed, and I cited many of the same points I made in my recent article “Wake Up Washington”, posted here on this site.  Here is his response:

Dear Mr. DeStefano,

Thank you for passing along your concerns regarding unemployment insurance benefits.  As always, I value your input on this and other issues, and strive to keep you updated on the important issues facing us today.

I understand your concerns about providing additional unemployment benefits to those hardest hit by the recent economic downturn.  Like you, I recognize the importance of these programs for individuals in Massachusetts and across the country who have lost their jobs and are hurting in this difficult time.  As you may know, over the past few months, Congress has been debating various proposals to extend unemployment benefits.

On July 21, 2010, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 4213) passed the Senate and was signed into law the following day.  This legislation reinstates federal unemployment insurance benefits that expired on June 2, 2010, and extends them through November 30, 2010.  While these programs would bring much immediate and temporary relief to the millions who are unemployed, this legislation is not paid for and adds more than $30 billion to our nation’s debt, which is currently a record $13 trillion and growing.  We cannot afford to add to the over $42,000 in debt that is already owed by every American.

It is my belief that we cannot keep spending money we do not have and burdening our future generations with an unsustainable level of debt.  It is for this reason that I voted against H.R. 4213.  Instead, we need to start paying for things, which is why I introduced a fully paid for alternative, the Fiscally Responsible Relief for Our States Act (S. 3551), which would have provided unemployment benefits to those struggling to find jobs, while avoiding passing on additional debt burden to our children and grandchildren.

Under my proposed legislation, emergency unemployment benefits would have been extended for the same six months, fully paid for by using unallocated stimulus funds and cutting other wasteful government spending.  This is a common-sense approach that provides necessary support for individuals in need without continuing our current fiscally irresponsible habits.  Unfortunately, the majority would not allow a vote on my legislation and instead pushed through a bill that included billions in deficit spending.  I remain hopeful that in the coming months we can work together to start to find ways to pay for worthy programs like unemployment insurance without adding to the growing national debt.  As the legislative process moves forward, I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Again, thank you for passing along your concerns.  If I can ever be of assistance to you in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact me or visit my website at www.scottbrown.senate.gov.

Sincerely,
Scott P. Brown
United States Senator

Well now, I have just a couple of questions.

1.  How are you paying for the wars?

2.  You voted against extending benefits because you’re concerned about our children?  Do you think people who are unemployed don’t have children?

3.  You did vote for the Jobs Bill on August 9th, so I guess you’re not a complete idiot.  You did the right thing.

4. You are however, in favor of extending the Bust tax cuts, and that will increase the deficit by 174 billion, every year, for the next 10 years, while renewing the extended benefits for the unemployed increased the deficit, once, for 34 billion, which you voted against because it wasn’t paid for.  Did you actually read my letter, you moron?

5. The Bush tax cuts were a temporary (7 year) reduction in taxes, mostly benefiting the rich (or about 2% of this country).  Over the past 7 years, the average income of the middle class did not increase, while the rich got a lot richer (it’s a fact).  Is this not a redistribution of wealth, from the middle class to the rich?  You bet your ass it is.  And we want our money back……NOW!

Hey, be happy you got a 7 year break on your taxes, but it’s over.  Sorry, we (the middle class) can’t afford it any more, and don’t even try slinging that bullshit about how it will hurt small business, because that’s another debate you’re sure to lose.