Reply from Congressman Carter

I have received a reply (below) from Congressman John Carter (R-TX). It is a little more specific, but still has some incorrect information and some dangerous positions.

First, Mr. Carter states that "the United States has always paid its debts". This assertion is false on at least two accounts, as documented here: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2011/01/has_the_us_government_ever_def.html

Second, Mr. Carter states that "...failing to raise the statutory debt limit would [be] catastrophic to the world economy and would immediately and irreversibly weaken the full faith and credit of the United States."

A) This sounds an awful lot like the "if we don't bail out Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, General Motors, etc., etc., then the end of the world will come"; they were wrong then, and they're wrong now. I no longer believe the "this crisis forces our hand to do something wrong" claims.

B) The previous defaults did not end the world nor destroy America.

C) Defaulting would certainly

D) Failing to increase the debt ceiling does not logically require a default on debt: first pay your debtors, then pay for your own social (and other) programs. You must service the debt. You are not required to fund the Dept. of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Dept. of Education, each of which has extra-constitutional (and therefore illegal) mandates.

E) It doesn't matter: it's not your money. It's the money of the taxpayers and of the investors who bought your bonds. You have to pay that back, even if you have to cut your favorite "I may not get re-elected if I don't keep giving the pork/handout/social program.

Sir, my respect for you has just taken a huge hit.

May 17, 2011

Mr. B

Dear B:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me with your concerns about increasing the debt limit. The debt crisis is a serious issue that Washington must address during the 112th Congress.

As you already know, there is debate in Washington about increasing the debt ceiling in the near future. The debt limit was instituted in 1917 when Congress passed the Second Liberty Bond Act. Since 2001 the debt limit has been raised by Congress 10 times, and was last raised on February 12th 2010. With recent news from the Treasury Department, the debt limit is now expected to be reached in August due to "stronger-than-expected tax receipts".

It goes without saying that there needs to be serious plans to reduce government spending when discussing the debt ceiling. Republicans must take a firm stance against those wishing to continue the irresponsible spending habits that brought us to this point. These habits have pushed us to the fiscal brink, and this unprecedented amount of spending must stop. Spending cuts must take priority in the debt limit discussion so that the American people can be assured this will not happen again.

So far in the 112th Congress, I am proud to have voted in favor of Congress' cut to its own budget by 5 percent, a move that will immediately save taxpayers $35 million. I voted in favor of the House-passed, H.Res. 22, legislation that reduces the amount authorized for salaries and expenses of Members, Committee and Leadership offices for 2011 and 2012. Also, The House of Representatives passed H.R. 359, which, if enacted, would reduce federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions. This legislation has been received by the Senate where it has been referred to Committee on Finance.

The United States has financial obligations, and it is unacceptable not to honor those commitments. Failing to win the necessary concessions on spending cuts would be detrimental to America's future. That said, failing to raise the statutory debt limit would catastrophic to the world economy and would immediately and irreversibly weaken the full faith and credit of the United States. Fortunately, the United States has always paid its debts and remains in good financial standing with other countries, and we must make sure this good standing continues. However we must use this opportunity to ensure drastic spending cuts.

Rest assured I am monitoring this issue and will keep your thoughts in mind as it is discussed in the coming weeks. I will continue to fight for an economic agenda which reflects my principles as a fiscal conservative, emphasizing the value of common sense expenditures, and reforming wasteful government spending. Please know that I am committed to balancing our budget, reforming government spending, and reducing the deficit. Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please do not hesitate to do so in the future if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

John Carter

Member of Congress

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