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Jul 14 2011

Debt Negotiations - Where Are We?

Rich Nugent

I wanted to take a minute to give you all an update about the debt negotiations and to emphasize once again where I stand on the issues. First off, because we have so many seniors living in the District, I wanted to address the President's speech the other day in which he tried to say that seniors would have to go without Social Security
checks if the debt ceiling deal isn't reached.  I don't know if the President got bad information or if he's just plainly trying to scare seniors for political reasons (I'll leave that interpretation up to you), but whatever his reasons, he's wrong.  The federal government takes in enough revenue every month to continue paying seniors benefits, veterans, our national defense, and the interest on our debt.  Any suggestion to the contrary just isn't true.

The fact of the matter is that the federal government doesn't have enough revenue to cover all of our expenses (that's why we're in this mess), but it does have enough to cover its fundamental responsibilities.  In order to make sure that the President doesn't short-change our seniors, I've joined with my colleague Dan Webster in introducing legislation that would force the President to prioritize the programs I mentioned above in the event that the debt ceiling isn't raised.

It's that simple.  In my experience, you always want to have a Plan B. I truly hope that the politicians in Washington will get their act together and pass a balanced budget amendment so we can move on, but in the event that they don't; we can't just throw our hands up and hope everything works out.  National security, seniors, veterans, and
the full faith and credit of the United States of America are not things that I am willing to shortchange - and certainly not for petty political gain.  The Commander in Chief should know better than that.

Leave A Comment   Comments (6)


Comments 1-6 of 6

  • Brett A. Volin

    09/24/2011 04:42 AM

    I am 100% behind you Mr. Nugent. I myself am a member of our Armed Forces currently in Afghanistan and I hate hearing my pay is being threatened when I have to leave my family to support them and I want to come home back to reserve status to get a job with one of my surrounding counties or my county I reside in. I know you were Sheriff of Hernando and if you can put a word in for me so once I get my certification I would love that. Just take it to them and fight on!

  • William A Webb

    08/01/2011 03:14 PM

    Vote "NO" on the debt reduction bill.

  • John Stout

    07/26/2011 09:19 AM

    Please do what is right for America and come to terms on the Debt just like Bush and Reagan did before. Why not help America instead of hurting it.Raise the debt and do what the people want.

  • Ray Maldonado

    07/21/2011 03:16 PM

    July 21, 2011

    Ray Maldonado
    13016 Serpentine Dr.
    Hudson, Florida. 34667


    Dear Sir,
    My name is Ray Maldonado. I was born on October 17, 1957 in Brooklyn, New York. I’ve worked hard all my life, paid my share of taxes, and every week paid into the Social Security system. In 2004, I was hurt and could not work anymore, so today I am living on my Social Security Disability benefits that were earned through my many years of work. With my Social Security benefits and a small pension from the Teamsters Union, I live pretty well. Although, the state of our economy has me concerned, no scared that I may one day lose my earned Social Security Benefits. I think I can speak for all Social Security recipients in saying we are all scared. I also think we all, not just our political leaders, have been trying to come up with ideas on how we can make this economy better without cutting Social Security benefits. I would like to do my share and help our government out and I think I’ve come up with a plan that would certainly help me and maybe others in my situation. Like many Social Security recipients I do not own my own home. At this time, our government has thousands of homes in foreclosure sitting there empty. To maintain these homes it is costing our government millions of dollars in tax payer dollars every year. I am willing to take a cut in my Social Security benefits in exchange for one of these homes. The home I get would be my choice and depend on the percentage of the cut I would be willing to take in my benefits. The government gets to cut my benefits, they get rid of one of the thousands of homes in foreclosure that they own, they would not have the upkeep cost, I would own my own home free and clear of any payments and I would never ever have to worry about losing my home because of losing my Social Security benefits. I know this is a radical idea but, in these times we need creative thinking if we are to survive what lies ahead. I hope this idea reaches all the right people who can make it a reality. I will send this letter to anyone who will listen. Thank you for your time.

    Sincerely,
    Ray Maldonado

  • Susan Peterson

    07/20/2011 11:36 AM

    I agree with Kathleen, not making a decision is a decision.

  • Kathleen Esperdy

    07/14/2011 06:11 PM

    This is reassuring to hear/read. The fear factor drives the uninformed public into the "herd" mentality until no one really knows whats going on, they just follow along. A discussion I had a few days ago with my friends says it best, "if you dont make a decision, someone will make it for you". The public needs to get involved again to understand what motivations drive those who we trust with our future.

Date Title
7/14/11 Current record
7/1/11 As You Celebrate the 4th of July