I wrote to Ben Nelson telling him it was time to raise taxes on the wealthy. Here is the response:

[OmahaBlueDog]

Dear OmahaBlueDog:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the federal budget and government spending. I appreciated hearing your thoughts and believe we must work to reduce spending and the national debt.

I understand Nebraskans want Washington, D.C., to spend less and do more to bring down the national debt as soon as possible because doing so will keep America competitive in the global economy. The budget problems our country is facing require budget cuts; and as the Senate considers various spending proposals for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012, I will be thoughtful about the cuts so as not to undermine our nation's recovery. Programs I would otherwise support might see funding cuts because everything has to be on the table in order to balance the budget.

Spending in 2011 will be less than it was in 2010, and I believe Congress should continue this trend and approve further cuts for 2012. This is why I recently introduced an amendment to the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Reauthorization Act, S. 493, expressing the "sense of the Senate" to reduce the Senate's budget by five percent for the remainder of the year. This amendment was agreed to by a vote of 98-1. I will continue to work with my colleagues to reduce spending and the national debt. If we do not take the hard steps now to enact these needed cutbacks, it is difficult to imagine we will be any farther along on the road ten years from now.

I support President Obama's goal of $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next 12 years. The federal budget agreement, which makes the largest one-year spending cut in our history, is a step in the right direction. I agree that the cuts in spending should be made carefully. They should be fair, based on shared sacrifice, and protect investments which are proven to create jobs and grow the private-sector economy.

However, I disagree with the President's proposal to reverse tax cuts. Such tax increases would affect families and businesses of all sizes, pushing our fragile economy backward just as we are starting to see signs of a recovery. We need predictability and stability in our tax system in order to get companies to invest and create jobs here instead of overseas. I have always supported tax cuts across the board. If we can get spending under control, we will have economic growth; businesses will create jobs; and we will have the revenue we need.

Thank you again for contacting me regarding critical economic matters. It is time to put partisanship aside and come together to create a budget that is fiscally responsible and fair. Rest assured, I have and will continue to work tirelessly towards this goal.


Sincerely,

Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator

****

Fiscally responsible and fair, but the wealthy get off cheap. Thanks for nothing, Ben.

[no limit]

1. Form letters, gotta love them.

[leftstreet]

2. When did Obama propose reversing tax cuts?

"However, I disagree with the President's proposal to reverse tax cuts."

:shrug:

[Ozymanithrax]

5. In his speech yesterday.

Obama said spending cuts and higher taxes alike must be part of any deficit-reduction plan, including an end to Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy.

President Obama says cut spending, raise taxes on wealthy

Obama said spending cuts and higher taxes alike must be part of any deficit-reduction plan, including an end to Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy.

It's been all over.

[leftstreet]

7. Right, expire.. Nelson makes it sound like there's an actual proposal

to cut them now

[Siouxmealso]

9. All the tax cuts are tied together

When the tax rates come up for review next year, all the rates will be part of the same bill so if he vetos the tax rates for the wealthy he'll have to veto them all.

[Ozymanithrax]

12. Then he shoudl veto them...

I am willing ot pay more taxes.

[unblock]

6. obama pledged to not renew the bush tax cuts.

[cliffordu]

37. When you weren't paying attention.

[SheilaT]

3. Write back and say something like,

"I think you misunderstood me, Ben. It is the very tax cuts on the wealthy, enacted starting with Ronald Reagan, and continuing with George W. Bush, along with wars that were not budgeted for, that are the bulk of our deficit."

[Scuba]

11. Exactly. n/t

[truedelphi]

4. So a member of the most coveted millionaires' club in the nation

lets you know he doesn't want the wealthy to pay their fair share.

And this surprised you because...?

[FrenchieCat]

8. Please Respond back.....

He's one of the ones we need to dog till he cracks.

[OmahaBlueDog]

31. I will

:hi:

[bobbolink]

10. Don't you feel "special" that he heard you so clearly???

:puke:

Thanks for trying... it is like the proverbial brick wall :banghead:

Do you have a number of people who feel the same way, who you could organize to pay a visit to his office?

[OmahaBlueDog]

32. I like hitting a brick wall so much that I sent the same message to Lee Terry & Mike Johanns

I live among many conservatives, so there are none I could organize with. However, I'm not unwilling to go personally.

[bobbolink]

36. !! ^_^ !! Self-flagellation... yeah, I know it well.

Good for you for fighting the good fight! :yourock:

Just be sure to be really good to yourself, and get the nurturing you need to keep yourself strong.

Former Rep. Tony Hall (the one who is behind the Fasting For Hunger that many Dem women are now engaging in), said that EVERY CITIZEN should demand a face-to-face meeting with their Rep at least once a year. He said specifically not to settle for an aide, but to make sure you were meeting withh your Rep.

He also emphasized that if a Rep got 1,000 pieces of mail on a subject, "You can be sure that issue would become a priority."

It sounds like you are really up against that brick wall, and especially if you are pushing some of the poverty issues, you have my gratitude for a thankless job well done! :applause:

[liberal N proud]

13. It is a vicious cycle, cut taxes = less revenue = cuts to gov programs

So more cuts = even less revenue = even more cuts to government programs.

They want to cut it until there is nothing left to cut but the military then they will go bomb some other countries.

Assholes each and everyone of them.

[louis-t]

14. Talks like a Republican.

[yourout]

20. walks like a Republican also.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

23. And, by golly, that letter qualifies as a quacking. -nt

[Dappleganger]

26. He certainly does.

Really, what the difference? Vote for him because he's got a "D" next to his name?

[Jester Messiah]

15. This bolsters my response to people who say email is ineffective

They ignore snail mail just as easily!

[rhett o rick]

16. "We need predictability and stability in our tax system in order to get companies to invest and

create jobs here instead of overseas." That's bullshit. Giving the top 1% huge tax breaks has been proven NOT to create jobs.

[OmahaBlueDog]

43. Using that reasoning, you can justify about anything to screw the American worker

For example:

"I support ending collective bargaining rights. We need predictability and stability in our labor market in order to get companies to invest and create jobs here instead of overseas."

"I support ending the minimum wage. We need predictability and stability in our labor costs in order to get companies to invest and create jobs here instead of overseas."

[Autumn]

17. Men like him and his class should

never be able to vote on issues like tax breaks for the rich. He is voting for himself. A great big old fucking elephant shitting all over the tent.

[Johonny]

18. if you write back sound positive and agree with his central point

They should be fair, based on shared sacrifice

I write back using this line to start. Basically say you are glad we are both in agreement. I was asking for the rich to start their part of the shared sacrifice. I can't see how increasing taxes on upper income wage earners has anything to do with business (particularly large corporations like say GE that pays 0$ in taxes a year. Any percentage increase of 0 can't effect them. Obama has already fought for policies to protect small businesses. Then talk about why you agree with the current president and current leader of the Democratic party that the Bush upper level tax cuts have not produced the promised jobs (its been 10 years where are the jobs?). It has created huge debt. As a concerned fiscal conservative (like me) you understand policy that creates no jobs and massive debt goes against the principal of shared sacrifice. Etc...

End with once again I am in complete agreement with you, it is time for shared sacrifice which means all parts of our society share in the tax burden.

If you are going to write back, use his words against him and agree with him.

[OmahaBlueDog]

34. Good points

I did invoke shared sacrifice, and mentioned WW II. I also told him that, while I could maybe understand reluctance to raise taxes on households with $250K, that households earning $760K (roughly 20x the average worker's pay) are surely benefiting in disproportion to most Americans, and should contribute more.

I intend to write again, and I welcome your suggestion (and any others)

[rhett o rick]

19. I emailed the following to Sen Nelson in response to what you posted.

"This is directed to the staff of Sen Ben Nelson. I am assuming you are not one of the financial elite, like the good Senator.
Here is how the good Senator defends giving himself and the financial elite huge tax breaks. He says, “We need predictability and stability in our tax system in order to get companies to invest and create jobs here instead of overseas.” This is a Republican lie spewed from Reagan thru Little Bush. This Republican policy has not only not worked, it has driven jobs OUT of the country. And now the good Senator is parroting this Republican talking point.
Do you know what is worse than a Republican? A Democratic In Name Only!"

[Liberal In Texas]

22. Good one!

:thumbsup:

[OmahaBlueDog]

33. Thanks!

Ben needs more of that.

[rhett o rick]

40. There's no hope for Ben. I was aiming it at his staff. They need to know he isnt on their side. nm

[JoePhilly]

21. every time some one says Obama should have "forced" the Senate Dems

to do ANYTHING ... send them the response you post above.

Many liberals have no idea what kind of asshole Nelson is.

They will scream and moan that Obama could have used the bully pulpit to make Nelson change his mind. And your email above is a great example of why that view is naive.

[rhett o rick]

24. You arent saying that the Democrats dont have any leverage at all with Sen Nelson?

Is there never anything he wants that needs their votes? I think many of the Democratic Senators like Sen Nelson, so they can vote with their constituents and not worry about the bill passing.

[JoePhilly]

25. Not at all ... do you recall this???????

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30815.html

The "Corn husker kickback" was a HUGE success.

Right?

Thanks for helping me make my point.

[rhett o rick]

35. Apparently your "point" wasnt clear. I thought you were saying it wasnt

possible to force Sen Nelson to do anything. Looks like it is possible.

[socialist_n_TN]

28. One slight revision to your last paragraph...........

at least for this "liberal". Obama SHOULD have used the bully pulpit to TRY and make Nelson and his ilk change their minds. If he would have at least TRIED, I personally wouldn't have had a problem. I had a problem in that he didn't even TRY to use that bully pulpit.

[Curmudgeoness]

27. When you write back, ask his how shared is that shared sacrifice.

If we are not going to raise taxes on the wealthy, but we are going to ask for sacrifice from the rest of the country, exactly where is their sacrifice?

And you might want to ask him how the economy did so damned well at other times in the country's past when tax rates were much much higher than today.

[Bandit]

29. If there is any Left at all they will Primary this asshole.

He is worse than many Republicans and that is saying a lot.

[OmahaBlueDog]

30. Not at this time

Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is a Dem, but he just barely survived a recall effort

Former Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey might be a possibility, but he's not wildly popular

[Thumper79]

38. How funny. I receive form letters from McCain all the time.

I can never get Kyl of my Rep (David Schweikert) to answer my letters.

[Marr]

39. Thank you so much for your lovely comments on TAX POLICY.

I often discuss TAX POLICY, with top experts, and I assure you that I'm committed to reforming TAX POLICY for the benefit of all TAX POLICY Americans.

Keep fighting for TAX POLICY,
Ben Nelson

[OmahaBlueDog]

42. It's like Mad Libs

I often discuss *Name an activity*, with top experts, and I assure you that I'm committed to reforming *Name it again* for the benefit of all *Name it a third time* Americans.

Keep fighting for *Name it yet again*,
Ben Nelson

I often discuss BOWLING, with top experts, and I assure you that I'm committed to reforming BOWLING for the benefit of all BOWLING Americans.

Keep fighting for BOWLING,
Ben Nelson


I often discuss SEPTIC TANK CLEANING, with top experts, and I assure you that I'm committed to reforming SEPTIC TANK CLEANING for the benefit of all SEPTIC TANK CLEANING Americans.

Keep fighting for SEPTIC TANK CLEANING,
Ben Nelson

[Stinky The Clown]

41. Dear Senator Nelson

What can we do about the rising cost of cotton candy?

Dear Constituent

America's Space Program has contributed mightily to our nation's technological advancements

Dear Senator Nelson,

Did you even look into the Cotton Candy Scam?

Valued Constituent,

Our National Parks and Forests are overrun with deadwood.