Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Media Inquiry: Government Spending.

Dear [Lamar Smith's press staffer],

As you may recall, I have a blog called luridtransom. I have a couple of simple questions for Congressman Smith. (See the message below.) I hope the Congressman will be able to answer them. Thank you for your help!

Regards,
luridtransom

Dear Congressman Smith,

Yesterday I recevied your glossy, color tri-fold mailer. I've attached some photos for your reference.

On the cover of this mailer, you tell your constituents that the "future of our country depends on our ability to stop spending money we don't have."

The mailer discusses your committee assignments and provides the address for your website. On your website, you have this to say about the budget: "In the past four years, the gross national debt ballooned from $8.67 trillion to $15.2 trillion. Debt of this level will stifle our economic growth. The solution for reviving our economy is straightforward: cut job-destroying government spending to allow employers to create jobs." (Emphasis added).

The address page of the mailer notes it was "prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense."

I have two questions:

(1) What was the total expense to taxpayers to prepare, publish and mail this mailer?

(2) Do you think sending out this mailer is an example of job-destroying government spending of money we don't have? Or do you think the cost is totally worth it for the taxpayer?

Thank you in advance for your candid, substantive answers.

Sincerely,
luridtransom