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Samples of letters to the editor
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3. Be polite; rudeness and sarcasm don’t come across well
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printed
5. Always include your daytime phone number, as papers will call you
to verify that you have written the letter.
Why did our Senators vote against us? (May 30, 2001)
Letter #1
I was very disappointed to learn that Senator Levin voted against the bi-partisan tax plan proposed by President Bush. Senator Levin seems to think that Washington needs to keep more and more of our money.
If left in Washington, is there any doubt that much of the surplus would be spent rather than saved. Haven't we seen time and time again, that when left with money to burn, politicians in Washington start a bonfire with our tax dollars?
By giving us some of our money back, President Bush has given us the opportunity to control our own destiny, rather than let the government choose it for us.
I was shocked to see Carl Levin take such an extreme stand. I have always thought of Carl Levin as one of those Senators who sought out the middle ground and voted in a bi-partisan fashion. Maybe he thinks after all these years he doesn't have to worry what the voters back home think. May be he ought to think again.
Letter #2
President Bush and the Congress deserve our praise for passing tax relief. The President and a large number of Democrats agreed that American taxpayers need relief. Nearly 25% of Democratic senators and the newly independent Sen. Jeffords crossed party lines to support the tax cut. They deserve our thanks, for giving Americans back some of their hard earned money.
The bipartisan agreement provides an immediate jump-start to our economy, puts money back in people's pockets this year when they need it most, and gives every American who pays income taxes a tax cut.
President Bush was able to accomplish what many said was politically impossible a few months ago. The president worked with members of both parties and will sign a bipartisan tax relief plan which will give some of the surplus back to American families. President Bush deserves praise for reaching out to members of both parties, something that Senators Levin and Stabenow were clearly unwilling to do.
I hope next time our Senators from Michigan will join the President in putting an end to petty political squabbles in Washington. Your Michigan constituents should be more important than your interests in Washington.
Letter #3
Saving money for my children's education is a top priority of mine, but even with my wife and I working, it's difficult to keep up with the bills and find the money left to save for their college education.
The tax cut plan passed by Congress includes relief for those of us trying to help our kids afford a college education. Instead of being concerned with the growth of the federal budget, most of us are worried about the growth in our own family budgets, or lack of growth. Not only will the plan passed by Congress help my family save for future college costs, but it will lower our income taxes, end the marriage penalty, and help us save for retirement with IRA savings breaks.
The Bush tax cut is certainly not pro-big government, but it is pro-family. I hope Congress will continue to work with President Bush to help those of us who are working to build a better future for our families.
Letter #4
The reason for our future surplus is that American's are working hard, and the government is reaping our rewards. Americans have overpaid their government - and they're about to get a refund.
FED chief Alan Greenspan and other respected economists have noted that consumers are the key to a strong economy. While I agree that if our economy does not perform well the surpluses will undoubtedly be smaller, the way to keep the economy strong is by helping out consumers, not helping out government.
If government continues to overtax the American consumer, we will have less money to spend on goods and services. If we start paying the government less, and have more money in our own pockets, we can save, invest, and spend more of our own money. This is the only way to keep out economy strong.
President Bush was right to push for a tax cut when he did. Consumers need a boost, and American families need some relief. It's a shame Senators Levin and Stabenow voted to keep our money in Washington, instead of putting some in our wallets.
Letter #5
The fact that the government is expected to run a large surplus is not a reason for the government to worry; it's a reason for taxpayers to worry. Why are they overcharging us if they have more than they need? I would rather receive some of my family's money back, so we can meet our future needs like college tuition and retirement.
I was disappointed to see Carl Levin voted against the tax relief package. I have always viewed him as a Senator for the people, but this time he was clearly not on our side.
President Bush is right, we need tax relief in America. I hope next time Senator Levin will side with those of us who are struggling to save a little money for retirement and our kids' education.
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