Speaker Boehner responds — sort of....

I recently wrote House Speaker John Boehner an email cordially and generously giving him my carefully considered advice for solving nation's deficit problems.

Here is a synopsis of my suggestions:

* Get the mega-rich to pony up their fair share (They are pursuing happiness — and life and liberty — to the detriment of the rest of us).

* Slash defense spending (stop playing the cop-on-the-block to the world).

* Get rid of tax loopholes and corporate subsidies.

* Go after off-shore corporate tax havens.

* Hands off Medicare and Social Security.

* Get rid of the new "health care reform" and institute universal health care (a REAL revenue saver, John).

Ever the optimist, I was hoping for a point-by-point reasoned response. No doubt the Speaker's predictable refutation, followed by my thoughtful and cordial rebuttal, would lead us to a productive exchange — all in the name of saving the Republic. At some point, I conjectured, John and I might invite the President to join us. Perhaps in the Rose Garden.

Fat chance.

Instead somebody in the Speaker's office punched the wrong "response" button on the computer. Or perhaps a more charitable explanation is that John, weary from visits to the White House or flailings on the fairways, simply lapsed into mindless ingratiation larded with Republican orthodoxy.

I'm sharing his words as a public service, just in case you were thinking of writing the Speaker with the expectation of receiving a response worthy of Boehner's tax-paid salary and perks.


Dear Mr. Seifert:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. It's good to hear from you.

Your ideas, comments, and questions help make possible my goal of leading a House of Representatives that listens and reflects the will of the American people. That's why I'd like to ask you to keep speaking out by:

Visiting Speaker.gov to sign up for email updates on issues that concern you; Offering your solutions and engaging other Americans on the challenges facing our country at AmericaSpeakingOut.com; Joining the conversation on Facebook.com/OfficeofSpeakerBoehner/; and Connecting with my office on Twitter.com/SpeakerBoehner/.

I made a Pledge to America to focus on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and economic growth - that includes cutting spending to help end the uncertainty facing job creators; repealing the job-crushing health care law and replacing it with common sense reforms that lower costs; reining in excessive regulations; and promoting an American Energy Initiative that increases energy production to create jobs and lower energy prices. I also pledged to lead an effort to reform Congress and rebuild the bonds of trust between the American people and their representatives in Washington.

I hope you'll stay engaged and keep me updated on your thoughts as we work to keep this pledge.

Thank you again for contacting me and please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

John Boehner
Speaker of the House