Email to Congressman Dennis Moore

I was pleased to see a listing in the Sunday Kansas City Star of some of the "key elements" in the House-approved stimulus package. Frankly, I was skeptical about news media reports of GOP objections to the plan. I attributed the GOP complaints to their party line of tax cut, tax cut and more tax cuts. But, after reading the Star's partial list, I have to agree with the GOP House members who did not vote for the tomfoolery called a stimulus plan.

Too much of the plan that was adopted by the House appears to be money for pet projects, that perhaps have been neglected over the past 8 years, but won't have much immediate effect to stimulate the economy and would be better addressed through other means. For example, $6 billion for high-speed internet for rural and under-served areas. We are already paying a universal service fee on our telephone bills that should be used for this purpose without adding more debt-funded money. The reason a lot of rural areas don't have high-speed internet is that there are not enough users to make it cost-effective. Another example is $32 billion for a "smart" electric grid. Assuming the technology can be swiftly perfected, but knowing how difficult it is to get regulatory approval, acquire right-of-way for, and complete the construction of new transmission lines, this worthy goal will take too long for an immediate stimulus to the economy. Besides, a better source of revenue for this program would be electric service charges. Finally, to limit my examples to three, $20 billion to modernize health information technology systems will probably not be an immediate spur to employment, because I doubt if there are sufficient unemployed persons with skills in that area who would be put back to work.

All-in-all, the House-approved stimulus package is too grandiose and too complicated. I believe it should concentrate on tax relief, aid to the poor and unemployed and infrastructure spending for projects currently ready for bids. I can only shake my head at how such a spending spree could get through the House, but with the present Speaker, who wrongfully stuck her nose in the Turkish-Armenian dispute, it's no wonder that it passed. It's time House Democrats replaced Nancy Pelosi as speaker. A Congressional leader is needed who will focus on the real problems of this country and not use the present crisis to further pet projects of her supporters. How about some leadership in this area? As a senior house member, it's time to assert yourself for common sense measures that will provide immediate relief for the economy.