After nearly a week of reflection on President Obama’s State of the Union Address, and the subsequent responses of Republican opponents, I am left with the realization that the only thing both political parties agree on is that our economic conditions are grim.
Congressman Sensenbrenner takes aim at the “problem” of the federal stimulus package. He flat out refuses to support any federal stimulus money to the State of Wisconsin, Congressional District 5, and most importantly the largest urban area – Milwaukee.
He says the stimulus has not worked because it has not led to new jobs, and further believes that federal buttressing of our economy is fiscally irresponsible. As a taxpaying Wisconsinite, I respectfully disagree. According to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act tally, over $110 million has been spent in our district, a full 69% of which has gone directly to our school districts. This means the stimulus has had a direct positive effect on our children’s education and the infrastructure of our schools. This also means we as taxpayers do not have to shoulder the burden of $76.5 million in additional property taxes or state income taxes in these difficult economic times.
I understand that Congressman Sensenbrenner does not believe in increasing the federal deficit, but if there is some temporary funding that could alleviate and protect current jobs or industries that might fail because of tough economic times, then as a representative he should do what is best not only for the region but the State of Wisconsin.
I know firsthand the trials and struggles of being in the private sector market.
I am a small business owner trying to obtain credit, maintain benefits for my employees and deal in good faith with struggling tenants. In the past year, I have offered rent abatement to many of my commercial tenants. Small business owners are struggling to keep doors open. I am one of them.
Truth be told, I doubt that this comes as much of surprise to many of the citizens of the 5th Congressional district either. Our working families across the district personally understand what it is to worry about losing jobs or benefits.
Without immediate action by the federal government when economic problems were most acute, our problems would be far worse.
I do not support long term federal entitlement and believe it will be imperative to create a reasonable budget when financial conditions improve. However, “deficit spending” is a current reality for many Wisconsin families and it is not unreasonable to spend what is needed now and to recover later. That is federal assistance that we deserve, and we should not treat it as if we don’t need it.
Job creation is a result of an improving economy, not the sole way out of a recession. We should focus our efforts on reducing the expenses of our businesses, first allowing them to maintain the jobs they have. Serious healthcare reform is necessary to help ease the burden on business. Tax cuts need to go to the middle-class Americans who need them most, and need them now.
Only someone who has not worked in the district for long time or is truly not familiar with the everyday financial problems we have to face would believe doing nothing is a proper and noble course.
Results require actually doing something, not just proposing self-serving half-measures. Congressman Sensenbrenner says he hopes he can get started. Why is he just starting now?
Click HERE to read Sensenbrenner’s Response to SOTU Address