Texas State Senator Kirk Watson (D) Writes Me a Letter

UPDATE: Entry edited to correct my giant mistake in assuming Watson was a Conservative. He’s not. He’s a typical Democrat.

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A few weeks ago, I wrote my state senator, Kirk Watson (D-District 14) and asked him to support Gov. Rick Perry by refusing to accept any of President Obama’s non-stimulating “stimulus” package.

I finally received the following response from Sen. Watson (along with my fisking of his response):

Dear Mr. Cooper:

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the federal stimulus package and the question of whether the state should accept money that Texas tax payers will ultimately be responsible for repaying. I appreciate your interest in this issue.

I’m glad that Sen. Watson acknowledges that this money is not a gift. And that somebody will have to pay it back. It’s important to note here, because Sen. Watson apparently forgets this later in his letter.

I understand the concerns and emotions on both sides of the issue. On one hand, you are rightly concerned about the long-term obligations this program could place on the state. At the same time, however, Texas’ economy is struggling along with the rest of the nation’s.

Typical politician…can’t just give a straight answer. Sen. Watson is correct — I am concerned about the long-term obligations this program will have. But not on the State, as Mr. Watson refers to it. But rather on the tax payers in this state.

Sadly, Mr. Watson doesn’t seem to share this concern.

As for Texas’ economy “struggling along with the rest of the nation’s”…Sen. Watson is wrong. Our economy is still the strongest in the nation. Why? Because we’ve bucked many of the trends emanating from inside the D.C. Beltway, and have remained a fiercely independent state. We kept taxes low and have fostered an economy that is conducive to doing business.

Now more than ever, we must put aside partisan slogans and instead work together to determine what the state needs and how the legislature can best meet those challenges. And once again, this money was paid by Texans through their federal taxes.

What Mr. Watson really means here is: “Republicans need to bend over and take it. We won, dammit, and we’re going to increase taxes and spending while growing the government out of control. And ya’ll just need to go along with it.”

And the Federal Stimulus dollars were not just paid for by Texans. These federals taxes were paid by the citizens of the United States who happen to pay taxes (remember, more than 40% of adults don’t pay any income tax).

Remember at the top when Mr. Watson acknowledged that this money will have to be repaid? Well, Mr. Watson, by accepting this pork money, guess who will be repaying it? That’s right — the 60% of Texans who do pay taxes. Which means they’ll have paid for it twice.

It’s not that the Stimulus package gives back any money already paid. It’s just another loan with even higher interest.

Please know that I will keep your concerns in mind as the Senate writes the 2010-2011 budget and accounts for this money in it. Thanks again for your note. Please do not hesitate to call on my if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Kirk Watson

No, Mr. Watson, you will not. You have already made up your mind to continue spending and taxing like a typical Liberal.

I will not bother calling on you again for assistance. And I’d ask you to do the same — especially when your reaching out looking for campaign contributions, as I’ll be contributing to anybody but an incumbent in the next several cycles of elections.