U.S. CONGRESSMAN PAUL C. BROUN, M.D. 10th Congressional District of Georgia

? The Federal Government o Cut Federal Department Budgets & Personnel in half and freeze funding for 10 years (except defense & national security) o CUT Federal PAY by 33% across the board. (except defense & national security) o TURN over to the States: All Social Programs, Federal Education, personnel and Facilities (Food stamps, housing, etc…). o Spending – STOP all Spending & additional department spending for 5 years (except defense & national security). o Stimulus – Freeze all stimulus immediately. [We have existing roads, bridges, levies, dams & power grids in need of repairs] o The Government should Sell all ownership of private businesses [Fannie May, Freddie Mac, banks, etc…] o Stop buying stocks to keep the stock market up. o NO bailouts for private industry, unions & states. [Get the Governments out of private industry, let the free market work. Let the companies run their own company and make a profit or let them fail.] o NO more Federal funding to groups, organizations and unions. [Example: Abortion, voter registration, this process has been proved to be corrupt!] o Have ALL laws the same regarding industries in America. [NO industry should have advantages over another!] o Abolish the Federal Minimum Wage. [USA is at huge disadvantage] o CUT TAXES!

Any deal that includes spending that is not authorized by the Constitution and the Bible must be opposed.

I think it is an olive branch from President Obama. I hope it is the start of government working together to solve problems but I feel Republicans will use it only as a weapon for their deep dislike for him. Hope I am wrong.

I think that if there is going to be a death tax (this is the tax on inheritance monies, right?) there should not be a cap on it. If it's 35% for those of us who have very little coming, it should be 35% for those who have billions coming. Why is there any limit at all? Though, I personally don't think that there should be any tax on inheritance. That money has already been taxed when it was originally earned and there is no reason for it to be taxed again. Seems like double dipping to me. As for the other tax issues and compromises. When is there ever a "good time" to increase taxes? It doesn't matter what our economic climate is, no one is ever going to say "Hey, we're doing alright now. I think I can give you more of my money now." But we have a serious problem with a disappearing middle class. The poor get poorer and the rich get richer. The rich get to pay high priced accountants to find all sorts of ways to protect their money, while we cough up everything we can. I just got a bonus check for Christmas that was $1400...I only got $781 after taxes! No, I can't afford for my taxes to go up. And maybe small businesses that are right near that $250k mark can't afford it. But why don't we have a higher mark? There should be a higher category. Those people that are raking in more money in one month than I make in one year. They probably can afford a bit of a tax increase. How else are we ever going to pay our debts? I should stop ranting now as I'm sure this will never get anywhere anyways and I'm just wasting my metaphorical breath.

I share your concerns. the debate is framed wrong. 1. it's not a tax cut but maintaining most recent rates. 2.The rates before them were probably an increase at some point on a previous rate. Who is to say what is the proper natural rate? 3. We should be calling for true tax cuts to the present rate and CUT spending!!! thank you

If you are one of the "working affluent" or even better who've been financially enjoying life, then Party On! President Obama and Senate Repubs (who couldn't stop Healthcare?) have now bought your last round of drinks. You drunkards have until late 2012-2013 to Crash and the hangover will be a Day of Reckoning for all of us. Unfortunately, drunk drivers KILL innocents. Remember Rome?

How did you vote on the recently defeated $250 increase for seniors and have you or are you giving your staff an increase in income in any manner?

I believe it will add too much to the debt. I am in favor of extending the current tax cuts and would be in favor of other items if paid for rather than paying by borrowing. We must direct our attention to debt reduction starting now. It is time to eliminate deficit spending in total. I believe in compromise, but carefully thought out compromise were we understand all the consequences. Maybe it would be better to wait for the new Congress.

vote against this bill. The Dems are adding too much junk to it. let it die and start over in Jan when Republicans control the house.

Although it passed already I was against it due to the extension of unemployment. Three years equals an entitlement. Also, the return of the death tax - this is double taxation. After January 5th I expect a different attitude from Republicans. You have been true to your beliefs so I do not include you on the previous remark. Keep it up.

I know it's too late, but I wish they had not allowed the tax breaks for the rich to continue. Talk about unfunded spending!!! But I guess added to the top of G.W. Bush's deficits for those wasteful wars it doesn't much matter. We're going down the tubes fast anyway, just not fast enough for Republicans and Conservatives. Thanks a lot Rep. Broun for digging the hole deeper.

I sent the following letter to our local paper; It seems to reflect many O Congressman Broun's beliefs. I received all kinds of responses, including threats. I would greatly appreciate Rep. Broun's reaction, since I cant even get a respnse from our local congressmen. ========================================================= Our nearly-perfect Constitution was created in simpler times, before ABombs, Facebook, and four-score life spans. Consequently, the guileless document, and our very nation, are vulnerable to exploitation by crafty, persistent opportunists. The vulnerability has fostered an uncommon class (aka US Congressmen), contrary to the document's purpose: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union ...” The resulting IMPERFECT union bears no resemblance to Lincoln's envisaged government, staffed by common people. The hallowed Constitution unwittingly bestowed enormous power on Congressional zealots (Reid/Pelosi), permitting undebated passage of virtually any legislation, condoning taxation without representation. It facilitated personal enrichment of greedy Government “rulers”, even as their subjects went unemployed and starving, without practicable ways to correct their masters' misdeeds. It didn't foresee 2500-page “laws”, passed clandestinely and unread by idiot signers. It allowed our freedom to be kidnapped and held hostage. Rather than pay additional ransom, we need a peaceful SWAT effort. Congress must be legitimately hobbled and humbled. The fabled “more perfect union” is achievable only if Congress is truly REPRESENTATIVE, truly ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE. They cannot EASE our pain without actually SHARING that pain. Possible therapies: 1. Abolish ObamaCare. 2. Limit Congressional Bills (100 pages, zero “earmarks”). 3. Limit political terms (ten years maximum; see Constitution Article 1). 4. Limit government pay (including Congressional) to the per-capita pay of Americans. 5. Facilitate annual voters' approval of their Congressmen ( e.g., via IRS Form 1040 ). 6. Reduce Government staffs by 10% (to match national public unemployment rates). 7. Restrict pensions to fully-funded limits. 8. Mandate balanced budgets, subject to taxpayer approval (via Form 1040). 9. Limit Congressional benefits (e.g., standard Social Security, Health Care). 10. Repair our relationship with God. Is there a Patrick Henry in the House?

Unfortunately, in order to run a country, the government needs revenue. This source of revenue is taxes. By paying taxes, in theory we(the citizens) should be reaping the benefits in the long run. However when the people in control of the money are corrupt idiots who won't put aside pride and compromise, nothing can ever get done. There are only two options to reduce the deficit: cutting spending or raising taxes. Cutting spending is more of a short term solution because our economy will not be able to grow in the future. However there is merit to cutting unnecessary things (that does not include, in my opinion, health care, investments in renewable energy and infrastructure). That leaves raising taxes. As much as everyone hates it I believe it is necesary to raise taxes for the upper and middle classes. Although Republicans hate to admit it, even Reagan realized the necesity of raising taxes and did so at the end of his term. And the Democrats need to stop the irrational spending and only focus on what is necesary for ensuring a productive future for America. Side note: For all who insist on doing things the bible would approve of, or to whom matters whether Obama is a christian, or to those condeming the construction of a Mosque near Ground Zero or those who want to teach creationism in public schools. In America we believe in Church SEPERATED from State!!! God, Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Judaism, Scientology... (etc) should have no part in the decisions of the government and should not be used as support for government policy.

We need to pass the Fair Tax, H.R. 25. We do not need you to waste time developing your own tax proposal. What are the specific problems you have with the Fair Tax?

Agree with William on the fair tax. This way Obama's friends at GE will pay some taxes. In this country so many do not pay a dime in federal taxes. Example is people who work for cash only. They never pay any federal tax at all. I know many who do this. They also ride the medicade gravy train and earn way more money than one should to be on this program. This past vote on the 2011 budget was a joke. I hope the vote for the 2012 budget forces Obama to make deep spending cuts. Cut medicaid, medicare, defense and social security, Do away with the Department of Education. This department just sucks up money and does nothing to increase the education for young Americans. Push to have our borders protected. THAT IS ANOTHER JOKE. One would have to be blind not to see what is going on. Put US troops on the border. NO funding for any country that is not 100% backing the US. Pull all troops out of Europe and put them on our borders. When one talks about cutting the budget. I here this (well that is only a billion dollars and would not help anyway). For each dollar cut is a dollar less owed. DRILL BABY DRILL! Cut subsidies for all farmers and anyone else getting them. NO MORE BAIL OUTS! Follow Donald Trumps recommendations on CHINA and OPEC. I think if things like this are done. We could cut our debt way down. Also, instead of 2 senators from each state just have one and cut back also on the number you have in the house. Just think how much this would save. I know the above will not happen because people in this government are out to bankrupt this country.

As a way of reducing federal expenses, I am strongly in favor of limiting Congressional benefits. Congressmen should have to live under the laws they pass for the rest of us. No separate health care plan No separate retirement system No raises higher than COLA and then only if others eligible for COLAs also receive them. No foreign trips at public expense unless directly tied to their congressional committee, with notification to their constituents re the purpose of such travel. No wives, friends, or family members allowed on what are supposed to be "working" trips". Staff limited to 2 persons. No franking privileges. Use the internet or write letters to the editor. Too much campaigning for reelection is done at public expense. Thank you for your pledge to observe the criteria you mentioned that you will use when voting on legislation before you.

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