Direct Mail from Congressman Mark Souder
Posted by Mike Sylvester - 8/12/08 @ 6:07 pm - Filed Under 2008 National Elections, Featured, Local Politics, National Politics
I received a direct mail piece from Congressman Mark Souder today. It was paid for by the taxpayers and it includes a survey and a large portion dedicated to the re-election of Congressman Souder.
I absolutely hate the fact that it is legal for incumbent politicians (Any Party) to ”spend” taxpayer dollars on direct mail that gives them more name recognition and are used to ensure that incumbents in office.
This piece from Congressman Souder was typical of the pieces of I have seen over the years from Democrats and Republicans in office. The questions listed on the survey are below, my comments are in italics.
If forced to choose, would you support more federal spending on education or alternative energy?
I answered alternative energy. The Federal Government spends far too much on Education and I feel that the entire federal Department of Education should be dissolved. Why does Congressman Souder ask this question? I do not want to spend more money on either of them; the government is in debt and should pay down its own debt rather than create more debt.
Do you think Congress should have bailed out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
No.
Would you support higher taxes on all taxpayers to fund government-run health-care?
No.
Would you support an across the board spending reduction in ALL areas to help balance the budget?
Yes.
Which of the following do you believe is the best strategy to reduce gas prices: Drill for oil, Force further size reduction in vehicles, nothing, or other.
Other was my answer. We need to do a large number of things rather than just one. I am in favor of conservation AND drilling for more oil. I actually think that the Republicans and Democrats should combine their energy policy into one that would work rather then one that caters to their respective “base” supporters.
In addressing energy problems, do you believe that mass transit, such as Citilink, is: Very important, Somewhat important, Not very important.
Not very important. Even with gas at historic prices there has not been a significant increase in the use of mass transit. The large mass transit authorities are billions of dollars in debt. Fort Wayne does not have a dense enough population for mass transit to be beneficial or cost effective.
Mark Souder has been criticized for spending too much time working to help veterans, including by working to save the Fort Wayne VA hospital. What do you think? You can either agree with the “critics” or agree with Congressman Souder.
This is one of the worst questions I have ever seen and is solely meant to help Congressman Souder get re-elected. Who are these critics? I left this one blank.
Should members of Congress and candidates for federal office be required to disclose their home mortgages?
I would have answered this question no until recently. It appears that a couple of high ranking Democrats have received loans that are at significantly below market rates and that is corrupt. So I answered it yes.
Do you think these mailers should be paid for by taxpayers?
Mike Sylvester
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4 Responses to “Direct Mail from Congressman Mark Souder”
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[...] given the fact that Souder’s using taxpayer money to send out campaign material (more here and [...]
No - taxpayers shouldn’t pay for the mailers. At least the return postage wasn’t prepaid. Then again, he probably doesn’t really want to hear what we think anyway.
I answered the first question similarly to you. I went the extra step and wrote “neither, pay down the national debt”.
Questions 2, 3 and 4 were the same.
On question 5 I checked Other and wrote “Mandate that all new vehicles manufactured in this country be flex-fuel”. I believe this to be the least intrusive way the government could get the ball rolling on mass production of alcohol based fuels. If the vehicles are on the road first the fuels will follow without government intervention. The fuels can’t and won’t come first unless there are subsidies paid for with our tax dollars. I’d be interested in hearing any feedback on this idea.
Question 6 I answered “somewhat important”. I don’t have a good reason for answering it that way and therefore should have left it blank. Too late now.
Forgot to give my answer to question 7. I drew a third line, checked it, then wrote “save the VA but quit adding pork to bills or I’m not voting for you again”. I know he doesn’t really care but it felt good to write it just the same.
Just another piece of self-serving tripe. Mark Souder should renew his so-called pledge (read that as LIE) to serve only two terms. His performance in the hearings about the FEMA trailers making people sick was a joke. And, would it make a bit of difference if he got a deal on his mortage? Who would do anything about it? Washington? Yeah….Right!