Senator Kirk
First of all, I want to express my appreciation for your efforts to control government spending and waste. After all, the government is here to serve the people, not to 'Fleece' them by continuing tax and spend policies. I do not blame either the Democrats or the Republicans, since each has their pet agendas, but rather the pork and special interest projects obfuscated by being tacked onto bills that are assured passage.
I support the efforts by those Senators who are fighting to reduce spending. The multitude of taxes by various levels of government have gotten way out of control to the point that Chicago has placed a sales tax on the price of gasoline which already has included taxes. A tax on taxes! My understanding is that at $4.00 a gallon, about $0.90 goes to tax - that amounts to a 22.5% tax.
I will be attending a rally in Springfield this Friday to protest the fiscal policies of Governor Quinn and the State Legislature. It should be obvious to all levels of government that the people of this country are fed up with 'business as usual' and will support those in government who understand the upwelling of dissatisfaction with current policies.
As Thomas Jefferson passionately noted in his speech in Paris in November, 1787:
" ... God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13 states independent 11 years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it's natural manure. Our Convention has been too much impressed by the insurrection of Massachusetts: and in the spur of the moment they are setting up a kite to keep the hen yard in order. I hope in god this article will be rectified before the new constitution is accepted." - Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Paris, 13 Nov. 1787
Rebellion does not imply bloodshed, but thanks to our freedom to gather and demand change, perhaps we can move toward a more fiscally responsible government, freer of corruption and waste. A government of, by, and for the people.
Thank you again for your support of better government.
Peter Strom
