Letter from Adrian Smith

Knowing of your interest in the federal budget, I am writing to update you on recent developments in Congress. Our nation faces unprecedented financial challenges. Every penny of debt accumulated will be paid for by our children and grandchildren. In its first two months, Congress spent more than one trillion dollars, including the "stimulus" and omnibus appropriations bills. In addition, the President releasedan outline of his Fiscal Year 2010 budget which would double the national debt to nearly $18 trillion. Sadly, all of this spending fell short of addressing the underlying economic problems in our nation. We are still without responsible, sustainable, affordable health care, and we are still failing to meet promises of energy independence. Since the President signed the so-called stimulus into law, more than 2 million Americans have lost their jobs and the unemployment rate has soared to 9.4 percent. Whether or not you agree with its origional intent, we are now seeing the harmful effects of the sluggish pace in which stimulus money is being distributed and spent. Unless we reign in the size and scope of the federal government and focus on true economic stimulation and growth, retirement savings and home values will continue to decline or, at minimum, take years to recover. I have consistantly opposed careless legislation such as the stimulus and various industry bailouts, all of which have proven short sighted and irresponsible. As your congressman, I am committed to commonsense approaches to the problems plaguing our nation. I appreciate involvement from my fellow Nebraskans, and I value your continued input. Please contact me in the future if ever I may be of assistance.