Going to send checks to President Obama and see what happens

sent to me by JD Sutton

Well, gee Hastings, y'know he sat out the vote on the debt-limit/spending bill even when it was obvious which way it was going. That way he couldn't be blamed by his Tea Party backers for increasing the debt-limit, nor could he be blamed if the country defaulted. Responsibility to the country and his constituents (except the nut-jobs on the far right) be damned.
Years ago JFK wrote (with the help of several others) wrote a wonderful book, Profiles in Courage, about people who stood up and did what was right in the face of doing what was popular. Rubio's title will be Profiles in Expediency.
That earthquake last week up the Mid-Atlantic was the Founders spinning in their graves.

That idiot Rubio returned all of the checkes I had sent him-couldn't even bother to forward them on. And, that idiot Webster never sent me the letter he promised detailing his personal efforts to reduce the debt. Why should that surprise me?

open letter to the US Senate 8/11/11

Now that the "crisis" regarding he debt ceiling has been resolved, It is now time to turn our attention to the actual deficit and how can we resolve it.

Although I am not a resident of *******, I hope that you will take the time to read and consider the suggestion I am going to make. I have tried to communicate with my Senator, Marco Rubio, and have s...ent letter after letter to no avail. He does not have the time to either read, or respond to my suggestion. It is sad that I should feel compelled to go to others for something he should most certainly be concerned with.

The American people are not stupid. We realize there is a clear and present danger with the amount of money we owe to other entities. I cannot run my household in this manner and neither should the government.

I say that you, as our elected body, propose to one of the charitable organizations that is well respected by the American people, such as the Red Cross, the United Way, The Salvation Army or the like and ask them to help manage the debt issue. They do this by approaching the Fortune 500 companies, to start with to allow their employees to donate directly to the debt via the charitable organization.

I give you this example: Suppose there are 100,000,000 people that want to donate $2.50 a week . That would be, obviously, 250,000,000 a week (before the charity takes administration fees) for 52 weeks which would equal a whopping 1 billion, 750 million 1,750,000,000 sent to the PRINCIPAL of the debt each year. Now think that some citizen's, like me, would be willing to do more than the $2.50. It would make an enormous difference. Over 10 years, that would be an amazing contribution and sacrifice made by the American people.

Propose this to your colleagues. Make a difference, ignore partisan politics and seize this opportunity to help your country. I am 55-this will not affect me greatly, however, it will affect my 14 year old nephew Bradley
Take the bull by the horns. Just do it!

This was sent to me by Thomas Palmer of Greensboro, NC

The latest ridiculous congressional mud fight over the debt ceiling shows how dysfunctional congress has become. The following would be a huge step in taking the U.S. back from congressional parasites who make a career of living on the public dole and private bribery. Please read it and pass it on if it makes sense ...to you.

This is bipartisan in nature and is going to both Democrats and Republicans. We should all seriously consider helping with the change suggested below. This is something I will fight for and I hope you will too. This is short so please read it all the way through and then decide on forwarding.

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.

I'm asking each recipient to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

letter to Marco Rubio, August 8, 2011

August 8, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

Sen. Rubio,

Sorry to be sending two weeks this time, but I will not have access to a computer. Therefore, enclosed you will find a check for $10..

I am still looking forward to response and acceptance of my challenge.

Regards,

Hastings Henderson

letter from Robert King

Governor Steve Beshear
700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 100
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

July 29th, 2011
...
Mr. Governor,

Good Afternoon. My name is Robert King, a student at Eastern Kentucky University and more importantly a citizen of the Commonwealth. I want to first commend you in the recent years for doing what I believe is an exceptional job in controlling our state’s finances and for actually shrinking our per citizen state debit (Approximately $9,434 per citizen as I write this, according to www.usdebtclock.org). However, I am writing to you today to discuss the absolute frustration and fear I have of our national debit. As I am sure you agree, our country is spending far too much in a time where our economic system is crippled. Today I come to you with what I believe to be a solution. For the past month, I have been challenging Representative Ben Chandler to donate 1 percent of his income directly to United States Treasury, in hopes of suffocating this disturbing national debit. Today, I am challenging you to do the same.

Fortunately, you will not be alone. Members of Congress, such as Representative Daniel Webster of Florida have vowed to contribute 1% of the salary, and encouraged his to do the same. Personal friends of mine from all over the United Stated have been challenging their elected officials to do same, in hopes that together, we can solve the issues our public servants are failing to fix. All of us have as well contributed 1 percent of our income specifically to be used against the National Debit. We believe that spending cuts are not a viable solution, but actions from individuals are necessary.

I am enclosing my check for $3.23 addressed to the United States Treasury specifically to be used against the National Debit, an estimated 1 percent of my income for the past week. It is my hope you will forward it to the right people and considering writing a check of your own. By no means am I trying to be political Governor, I am just begging those that claim to represent me for results.

If you have any questions about my challenge or solution, please feel free to contact me.

I eagerly await your reply and offer only sincere and most kind regards,

Robert Charles King

letter to Mrco Rubio, 8/5/2011

August 5, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

Sen. Rubio,

Here is my check for the week.

I am working on a letter I will be sending to the entire Senate next week regarding my suggestions you have elected to ignore.

I will be sure to send you a copy.



Hastings Henderson

letter to Marco Rubio, July 28, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

July 28, 2011

Sen. Rubio:

Here I sit writing yet another letter and sending yet another check to my senator that does not seem to give a rat’s behind about suggestions made by their electorate. I have suggested over and over that you allow the American people to help financially with the issue at hand, assuming that you 3 year olds have settled the debt crisis by the time this letter gets to you.

I am assuming by your lack of response that you do not intend to match the 1% of my income that I have continually pledged (and I might add sent) to you to apply to the National Debt. This is sad considering what I make is peanuts compared to your income. By the way, with that being said, I would be happy to send you a copy of my tax return if you would like to see it.

Please forward this check to the appropriate location for deposit and perhaps, this time, you will condescend to communicate with me. I am so glad I haven’t been holding my breath.

With all due respect, I remain

Hastings Henderson

chat with Frank at Rep. Webster's office

I am told by Frank at Rep. Webster's office I will have a letter to publish on this blog next week. If what he tells me if true, you will all be pleased, and I might add, surprised.  I will then concentrate on Sen. Rubio.

2nd letter from Aisling Maes to Sen Marco Rubio

Senator Marco Rubio
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

July 23, 2011

Sen. Rubio:

Several weeks ago I sent you check and asked that you forward it to the US Treasury to reduce the National Debt.  Since I have not heard back from you I wanted to check in and make sure that you had received my check.

I had also hoped that you would accept my challenge to donate part of your salary to the debt and encourage your staff to do the same.  I have since learned, per my previous letter, that Congressman Daniel Webster (R Fl-8) has been taking a salary from the year 2008 (which actually amounts to about a 2.5% donation of income) and not only that, he is refusing the health insurance offered to house members and supplying his own. Further, he is encouraging his staff to donate part of their earnings to the principal of the debt as well. GOOD FOR HIM. There is a public servant that puts (no pun intended) his money where his mouth is.

I look forward to hearing from you that you have decided to do the same. Further, I look forward to your response to the suggestion I shared which I received from Mr. Henderson in the last letter about setting up a program to let the American public make donations to the principal via the United Way, the Red Cross or the like.

Looking forward to a rapid response, I am,

Aisling Maes

letter from Robert King to Ben Chandler 7/22/2011

Representative Albert ‘Ben’ Chandler
1504 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

July 22nd, 2011

Representative Chandler,

Good day. I am hoping that you and your staff have looked at my previous letter, which I have attached for your reference. It also seems the Treasury Department has not cashed my last check I sent you, which was 1% of my last paycheck that I am pledging to reduce the national debit.

In short Mr. Chandler, talk is not good enough. Although I encourage and support fiscal responsibility with my tax dollars (the other close to 20% that I give my country every April), I expect more from veterans of Congress. I am confident that if you rise to my challenge of donating 1% of your income directly to United States Treasury, for the purpose of reducing our national debit, others will follow. I would never ask something of you I would not do myself and I would hope that you are as serious of fixing our nation’s economic free-fall as I am.

Enclosed is my check for last week, as this week’s check will be sent along with my challenge another civil servant of Kentucky, Governor Brashear. I appreciate your attention and response to this utmost serious matter.

Regards,


Robert Charles King

Letter to Webster July 20, 2011

Rep. Daniel Webster
US Congress
1039 LHOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

July 20, 2011

Rep. Webster:

Here is my check for the week.

It seems sad that I have had to return my attention to you after you made a promise and then do not seem to want to substantiate said commitment.

With regards and hoping for a response,

I remain,



Hastings Henderson

Letter to the Editor of 8 major Florida Newsppers sent 7/14/2011

July 13, 2011

To the Editor:

Since April, I have asked my Congressman (Daniel Webster, R-8) and both Seantors to accecpt a challange to help reduce the principle on our American Debt by donating 1% of their income to the reduction of the principle of the National Debt. I have sent a check each week to one of them made out to the US Treasury.

Rep. Webster had a staff member, Elizabeth, call me and say he agreed and would accecpt my challange. Further, he would see if his staff would participate as well. I have asked for some indication that this is happening becasue I have friends willing to do the same but don't believe Rep. Webster is doing so. I have gotten no respose since the call I received in early May.

Sen. Rubio has not responded and Sen Nelson says he will look at the challange in merit and get back to me.

The American poeple are not idiots, they realize the debt is a clear and present danger to the United States. Many would be willing to sacrifice a little to help save our country. Consider the results if 150 million donated $1.00 a week (or more) to the PRINCIPLE of the National Debt.


I hope that the people of these great United States will wake up and TELL their public servants to stop acting like they are 3 years old. That’s what I’m doing.  We’ll see if it’s effective.

Hastings Henderson

Letter to Rep. Daniel Webster 7/11/2011

Rep. Daniel Webster
United States Congress
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

07/11/2011

Congressman Webster:

I am so very disappointed in not hearing from Elizabeth after what I had considered to be the wonderful decision on your part to both match my 1% donation to the reduction of the National debt and your decision to ask your staff to do the same.

To this end, I had asked her about providing some type of information to me since many of my friends would be wiling to do this as well, and:

Suggesting that there be a process set up where we, the American people, can directly assist in said reduction by having what ever they can afford be deducted from their pay checks via a trusted charitable organization such as the United Way or the Red Cross. Let’s face facts- the American people are not fools. They (we) realize that this debt is a CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER to the United States.

Sadly, there has been no response from anyone on your staff. I am especially disappointed that she could not, or would not, provide me something to prove to my friends and colleagues that I wasn’t just getting a pile of chacha and frankly, smoke blown up by behind to make me go away.

Well, that’s not going to happen and to this end, the resumption of my send checks to your office. That being said, here is my check for the week, please forward it to the Treasury for deposit.

I have also included copies of the two letters I sent previously.

Regards from your disappointed constituent,



Hastings Henderson

2nd Letter to Congressman Smith from Jack Ingersoll

July 8, 2011


Rep. Chris Smith
Washington DC Office
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
 
Dear Rep. Smith:

Hello again, Congressman. I am writing to you once again in the hopes that you have time to read and consider the challenge I have offered to you regarding contributing a portion of your personal income directly towards the reduction of our national debt.

As a man of modest means, I know a thing or two about budgeting and sacrifice. The past several years have been especially difficult for me financially. My student loan payments are approximately 25% of my after-tax income. A series of unfortunate and sudden medical issues last year left me with several thousand dollars of out-of-pocket expenses that were not covered by insurance. Due to the economic downturn, I have been forced to forgo my previous independence and move back in with my parents. While I am now lucky enough to have full time employment with health insurance, all too often my income is barely enough to get by.

However, in spite of all of this, I have found it to be within my meager budget to contribute toward a cause that I believe in. If someone in my situation is able to contribute, certainly someone on a congressman’s salary can as well.

I have included with this letter a check for $23.09, which is 1% of my latest 2 paychecks, after taxes of course. Again, if you would be so kind as to forward it to the appropriate authorities, it would be much appreciated. I continue to hope that you will accept my challenge, and perhaps encourage your own friends and colleagues to do the same. Please take this chance to show your constituents and the nation as a whole that some politicians are more than talk and lip-service. Again, I thank you for your time and for all you do for New Jersey’s 4th district.
 
Sincerely,


John R. Ingersoll III

letter from Robert King to his Rep Albert ‘Ben’ Chandler, KY

Robert King
Representative Albert ‘Ben’ Chandler
1504 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

July 6th, 2011

Representative Chandler,

As one of your constituents from the Commonwealth, it is my duty to address the

outrage and fear I have of our national debit. Despite the many letters your office, like
your colleagues in Congress receive everyday, it continues to climb at an appalling rate.
However, unlike most of your constituents, I come to you with a solution. And as my
family raised me, I will not contribute simply as a spectator.
I challenge you, as I am challenging Governor Brashear and Senators
McConnell and Paul, to donate 1% of your income directly to United States
Treasury, in hopes of suffocating this disturbing national debit.

A friend of mine, Hastings Henderson of Orlando, Florida, who might I add shares different political

beliefs than I, first proposed this idea this Spring to his congressman, Mr. Daniel Webster. Mr. Webster accepted Mr. Henderson’s challenge, and is promising to contribute 1% of his salary directly towards the national debit. Representative Webster is encouraging his staff to do the same.

It is important to point out that despite our political differences, Mr. Henderson

and I both agree that the only logical way to eliminate our national debit is to pay the
price ourselves. Neither Hastings nor I earn a substantial income, so we cannot alone.
However, if more Americans (including our leaders in Congress) became more active in
fixing these concerns rather than simply addressing them at slow rate, we can expect
results.

Enclosed is my check of $3.54 dollars, which is 1% of the amount of my last paycheck,

addressed to the United States Treasury specifically to be used against the National Debit.
Some members of congress have seemed to confuse this with a political contribution,
which it most certainly is not. It is my hope that this will be sent to the United States
Treasury, along with your positive response to accept my challenge.
I am not trying to be political here, Representative. I just want immediate results.

I eagerly await your reply and offer only sincere and most kind regards,

Robert Charles King

response to letter from Sen Nelson, sent on a copy of his letter to me

July 5, 2011

Senator Nelson:

I find it hard to believe you actually took the time to read the letter that this check was enclosed with. How absolutely arrogant of you to believe that a check made out to the U.S.Treasury was for your benefit. I would prefer to believe that one of your staff members responded and you never took the time. How disappointing.

The letter, which is attached, asked two things,

1: That you forward the check to the treasury to reduce the National debt. How is that unethical?

And

2: Would you match the 1% of my income I am donating to reduce the National debt. (this was not the case with this first letter, only later ones)

To this end I am resending you my check for the week of 4/21/2011 and this weeks check as well.

Please see that they are forwarded to the US Treasury to reduce the PRINCIPAL of the National Debt.





Hastings Henderson

Reponse for Senator Nelson regarding my first letter: dated 6/15/2011

I find this to be arrogant and pompous and shows that the politicians we elect don't really read what we send to them.  Further my check was returned-The check was made out to the US Treasury, Not to Sen. Nelson.

Dear Mr. Henderson:

Thank you for your recent correspondence. It is inappropriate and unethical for my office to accecpt any financial contribution accompanying corroespondence from constituents. I am returning your contribution and will respond to your petition on its merits alone.

Sen. Bill Nelson

Letter to Senator Bill Nelson, 6/30/2011

June 30, 2011

Sen. Bill Nelson

United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Sen. Nelson,

Please find enclosed my check for the week. I am a bit disappointed not to have heard from you regarding my challenge but perhaps you have not had the opportunity to adequately peruse my proposal. Should you like to discuss this and other thoughts that I have to directly attack the debt from us Americans, please feel free to give me a call.

Thank you for your continued service.


With Best Regards, I am,





Hastings Henderson

letter from Aisling Maes to Sen Marco Rubio 6/28/2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
United States Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

June 28, 2011

I have been following Hastings Henderson's blog regarding the donations he has been making to you for the reduction of the principal of the National debt.

His idea to ask one of the organizations such as the United Way to allow direct donation from their paychecks to the National Debt is a great idea. That would be an amazing opportunity to allow us, as Americans, to participate in our economic recovery. Let's face it, he's right-the debt is a clear and present danger to the United States. If 150 million people donated $1.00 a week (or more) think of the impact. What's the hold up?

To this end, here is $52.00. That's a dollar a week that I would otherwise donate to the United Way, Red Cross or the like to help reduce the principal of the National Debt.  Please make sure that this gets to the US Treasury in a timely manner. Would you please let me know when you forward this to the treasury?

Also, I was curious. Have you decided to accept Mr. Henderson's challenge and donate 1% of your salary to the cause? Rep. Webster did so and also asked his staff to do the same. That would be a remarkable display public leadership and of sacrifice.

Regards and thank you for your kind attention,

Aisling Maes

My letter to Sen Rubio om June 23, 2011

June 23, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

Sen. Rubio,

Here is my check for this week. Please make sure that it gets forwarded to the necessary agency to be applied to the principal of the National Debt.

I was thinking this week, perhaps we could eliminate a big old wad of cash by stopping the use of the $1.00 bill and go to the use of the coin. Some estimates think as much as 5.5 billion saved during the next 30 years. Now that’s a drop in the bucket.

I am still looking forward top hearing from you regarding my challenge of 1% of your income going to the US debt. IU would have thought a fiscal conservative like you would be quick to jump on the band wagon.

With kind regards, I am,




Hastings Henderson

my response to John

I have in fact read all of your post and I actually agree with you on several points, but that is for another day or discussion. I would however, agree with you that a flat tax, be it 23% or something else is probably the fairest way to tax but he problemwith that, besides the fact that it has been tabled so much, is that we can...not begin any type of tax reform until we are rid of the debt. The debt is what is going to kill us. The debt is an immediate clear and present danger to the United States.

I do not think that the donation of my 1% of my salary is going to make a difference, However, Rep Daniel Webster (R-Fl) has decided to accept my challenge and is going to donate (according to Elizabeth in his office) 1% of his salary. In addition,he is going to compel his staff to do the same. As I said in one or two letters if each elected member of the legislative branch of government made a sacrifice and compelled their staff to do the same, it would be a great symbol top the American people thatthey are serious about what is happening to the United States.

We are looking for someone, eventually, in all 435 districts to challenge their Congressman, and his staff, to do the same-show some commitment to the American people.

I, we, are not under the impression that this is going to be the only thing that gets us, as a people, out of this mess. It has to a combination of sacrifices. Why are the oil companies having record profits and we give them $4 billion for research? Why are the cotton farmers getting $2 Billion in subsidies. The cotton farmers subsidy made sense when we had family farms producing out cotton but now there are multi-national corporations doing this. As with the oil companies, they can survive like I do-onmy income. I am sure there are many more but I have not gotten far enough into this to make many more intelligent comparisons.

I do not think that folks that join this cause must necessarily select 1% of their income. I work for Walt Disney World and therefore my income is small in comparison to some friends. I choose 1% because we have no children and we are a 2 income household,$400 or so is not going to kill us. Others, we hope, may just select to donate $500 over the year. The point is to send it to your congressman each week and ask, cajole, shame or demand that they and their staff do the same.

So enough of my diatribe. Shame sometimes works wonders, especially if it begins to become clear that the American people are doing more than the people we elect to represent us. At this point-I truly feel I could select a House of Representatives andSenate from the folks I have worked with and do work with that could do a better job than is being done now and-we wouldn’t act like 3 year olds!!!

One more thing-why don’t you join us? Choose an amount that you can afford and challenge your congressman to do the same. Make the check out to the US treasury and notate that it go the principal of the debt. That would just be another district with pressurebeing exerted upon its Congressman.

post from John Schoonover on Face Book Group "Reduce the National Debt"

Well, Haky you got me, Not really had time to do much face-booking in the last year but this is one area I am passionate about & can't resist. OMG Sorry this is so long but it is a complicated subject. I hope you all will read it through.

While I think the efforts of everyone in this group are very honorable (all politics aside), I ...believe this plan is severely flawed. Please do not take this as criticism as I see more wisdom, effort & sincerity in the below posts than in all the halls of congress. I imagine, however, that the politicians seeing these efforts of folks willing to "donate" more money to the government are now wide eyed like children on Christmas hoping that the presents will open up to something really expensive. I would not think anyone in this group would give an addict more of his vice to cure his addiction. Think about it. We give Congress more money to solve the debt issues from their overspending? The National debt is caused more from spending than from the economy or tax revenues. Besides, what's going to happen to the poor schmo at McDonald's when he gets laid off due to lost coffees sales?

My premise is this: Government will always have a tendency to do what it needs to stay in power before it does what is good for the long run. We are republic and not a true democracy partly due to this fact present in most of history since the time of early Greece.

Breaking this down further, I would reason that our debt problem & it's solution lies twofold in:

1) The natural tendency of government to take what ever money they can and use it in ways that will keep them in power ("men will resort to plunder whenever plunder is easier than work .... neither religion nor morality can stop it" F. Bastiat's "The Law")

and

2) That as long as they carry the power to tax us without fear of retribution they will. (when does "plunder stop? It stops when it becomes more painful and more dangerous than labor" F. Bastiat's "The Law")

Think back to a time in the 1800's when there was no federal income tax. People & Congress voted for what they believed in & not for tax dollars. The real power for Congress in taxation came after WW2 with the withholding's laws. Now we could be taxed and still get a steady paycheck! Tax increases could be spread out over a whole year! What's a few bucks a month to the average joe anyway? Before the time of withholding people felt that pain in March and if it the tax was not warranted SO DID CONGRESS the next November.

So what is the solution? Take The Tax Paying out of government's hands.

There is a bipartisan bill in congress right now that has been tabled for a few years now .... HR 25, S 13. This bill would eliminate ALL (yes ALL...fed inc,FICA,MEDICARE, Estate, Corporate, etc) federal taxes would be paid through a 23% retail sales tax on new purchases. This bill is neutral plus to the existing taxes, makes Medicare & SS solvent, eliminates the IRS and replaces the regressive nature of sales taxes with a prebate to all those families under a certain income. This will encourage savings for the average person (remember no taxes on what you make in interest just on what you spend) and give true incentive to make more money..... a certain boom to our economy. Major retailers (Wal Mart & Target) have already said they would immediately slash their prices by the 23% if it passed thus eliminating a lot of the hidden taxes that come down in the price of what we pay for goods & services. Now everyone has an easy understanding of what they pay in taxes. Even criminals that now mainly deal in cash would be taxed whether they liked it or not. Imagine getting a 15-20% raise next year and not doing anything differently? Now that's a stimulus to the economy

Net net, No new taxes would be levied without a lot of serious pressure and everyone pays taxes only on what they want to spend for.

The problem is that not enough of our two houses have the guts to give up the tax power and vote for it to make it out of committee.

So enough of my talk. I think you have the right idea except instead of giving back to the folks that will eventually spend it I would like to organize a PAC and give the funds to the party with the most votes to make it pass this year. Shoot, $10/week would be easy enough. We'd get it back 3 fold the next year. I am really inspired and will begin the process ASAP. What do you all think? You can read more at the below web sites. Read F. Bastiat's "The Law" written in 1850 first. then peruse the Fair Tax web site. Come on Haky...... it's your fault for getting me going....

letter to Elizabeth at Rep. Webster's office

Rep. Daniel Webster
Attention: Elizabeth
United States Congress
1039 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

06/15/2011

Dear Elizabeth:

I have had several friends that are willing to donate to this cause (reducing the National Debt) but they have their doubt that Rep Webster and the staff are making this sacrifice of donating 1% to the debt. Is there something you can do to help me with this?

Also, FYI I have had no response for Sen. Rubio to this point.

I look forward to a rapid response.

Regards



Hastings Henderson

letter to Sen. Bill Nelson

Sen. Bill Nelson

United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510



June 15, 2011

Sen. Nelson:

I have decided to give up a cup of coffee per week or a trip to McDonalds or an extra beer at the World of Beer in Orlando and each week send a check for $5.00 to pay down the principal of the National Debt. When my taxes are complete for 2011, I will bring my donation to 1% of my income. Please send this check to the US Treasury to apply to the principal of the debt. By the way, I have included you in several e-mails regarding this.

I am going to send you ( and Sen. Rubio) checks made out to the US Treasury each week until my elected officials decide to grow up and act like adults to fix our problems.

Just to let you know, Rep Webster has accepted my challenge and has compelled his staff to do the same. I further challenge you and Sen. Rubio to do the same.

I am going to begin to encourage others to send checks to their Senators and Congressmen demanding action on our most pressing and important issue

For example, 432 congressmen make the same, $174,000, the Speaker $223.500 and the majority and minority leaders $193,400. This would come to a total of $757,783.

In the Senate, assuming similar income would come to $119,981. The President, $400,000 for $4,000.

This would be a total applied to the principal debt of $872,764.

A drop in the bucket, maybe, but how many other Americans would be willing to do this. I guess we’ll never know unless Congress takes the lead. How bout the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, Congressional staffers, State leaders……

Again, please expect this every other week and be kind enough to forward it to the appropriate location.

Hastings Henderson

last post was actually the 4th letter to Sen Rubio

3rd letter to Sen.Marco Rubio

June 15, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510


Sen. Rubio,

This week, I am sending my check to Sen. Bill Nelson D-Fl, and issuing to him the same challenge I have issued to you over the last several weeks to match the 1% of your income directed to the US treasury.

Just as an aside for the seek, should all of your colleagues accept my challenge (not including your staff as Rep. Webster has done) the total donated directly to the debt principal would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $900,000. I shall alternate weekly and you may expect my check for the Treasury next week.

Until then, I await your response,

Regards,



Hastings Henderson

3rd letter to Sen.Marco Rubio

June 10, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

Sen. Rubio,

Please find enclosed my check for the week. I am a bit disappointed not to have heard from you regarding my challenge but perhaps you have not had the opportunity to adequately peruse my proposal. Should you like to discuss this and other thoughts that I have to directly attack the debt from us Americans, please feel free to give me a call.

Thank you for your continued service.

With Best Regards, I am,



Hastings Henderson

1st letter to Rep Chris Smith, R-NJ from Jack Ingersol

Rep. Chris Smith
Washington DC Office
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Rep. Smith:

Good day to you, Congressman. Allow me to begin my thanking you for taking the time to read this letter regarding an issue that I feel is of grave concern to this great nation.

As you are most certainly aware, our national debt is, to state it quite simply, out of control. For too long we have heard little more than blame and empty promises regarding our debt, but no concrete plan on how to reduce and eliminate it. A friend and former co-worker of mine has recently been in contact with your colleague Rep. Webster of Florida regarding this issue, and I have been inspired by their combined efforts to attempt to become a part of the solution.

I have decided to donate 1% of my income to the United States treasury for the reduction of the principal of our national debt. While this does not amount to much, I feel it is an important first step. The national debt is not the responsibility of any single citizen, politician, organization, or political party; it is the responsibility of every American. We all need to begin acting like adults and start paying what we owe.

As I mentioned earlier, my friend has contacted Rep. Webster, advising him of his own pledge of 1% of his income to reduce our debt. He also offered a Rep. Webster a challenge: to pledge 1% of his own income toward the same cause. Recently, Rep. Webster has accepted this challenge, and has also encouraged his staff to do the same.

Rep. Smith, today I would like to offer the same challenge to you. I believe that true leadership is demonstrated by setting examples. What better way to demonstrate to your constituents and to the nation as a whole that you are serious about fixing this problem than by directly contributing to the solution? You and I can never eliminate our national debt as individuals.. Perhaps, however, by demonstrating our combined willingness as leader and citizen to make personal sacrifice for this important cause, we can encourage more Americans to do the same.

I have included with this letter a check for $10.34, which is 1% of my latest paycheck, after taxes of course. If you would be so kind as to forward it to the appropriate authorities, it would be much appreciated. I do hope that you will accept my challenge, and perhaps encourage your own friends and colleagues to do the same. Please feel free to contact me with your response, and any ideas that you may have for further reducing our debt. Again, I thank you for your time and for all you do for New Jersey’s 4th district.

Sincerely,

John R. Ingersoll III

New Particiant

I would like to Welcom John (Jack) Ingersoll from New Jersey who is going to join the casue and begin to send letters and check to his Member of Congress, Rep Chris Smith, R-NJ, district 4.  Thanks to Jack for joining the cause toi get our elected officials to grow up and act like adults and to do the job they have been elected to do. The following is the first letter from Jack to Rep Smith.

none of these officials has responded to my e-mail of last week

President Barak Obama
Senator Bill Nelson
Rep Nancy Pelosi
Senator Harry Reid,Democratic National Committee

letter to Elizabeth at Rep. Webster's office

Rep. Daniel Webster
Attention: Elizabeth
United States Congress
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

06/03/2011

Dear Elizabeth:

I am sorry it has taken me a bit longer to put in writing both my thanks to the office of Congressman Webster and to you for informing me of the decision made my Rep. Webster (and his staff) to accept my challenge and send 1% of his congressional income to the treasury to reduce the National debt. I am impressed.

What, if you recall, I further suggested, was that (1) an organization with the ability to process contributions be approached to help with our debt solution and (2) approaching businesses to allow their employees to donate directly to the debt principal.

My vision of this is that the United Way would be your first choice because the infrastructure would be there and the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies encourage their employees to contribute to their organization. Should a number of Members of Congress (I would suggest bi-partisan) ask the United Way to help with this they may be inclined to do so. Further, if, for example, 150 million workers would contribute $1.00 (or more) a week, the immediate impact on the debt problem would show that we, as Americans, understand how important this is and would also begin to make a dent in the principal.

I believe the last number I saw was each of our portion was $43,000. Of course, this would have to be combined with other measures, from reducing earmarks and making spending cuts, to perhaps, and I realize you as Republicans are loathe to this, eliminating the $4 billion a year the oil companies receive while making record number profits (among other).

It seems like common sense to me, but alas, I am mealy a working stiff that is very concerned about the future of America.

BtW, I have written a number of other Members of Congress and the President, and have yet to receive a response.

I look forward to hearing from you.



Hastings Henderson

Daniel Webster has forwarded my checks to the Treasury

Checks are being cashed

2nd letter to Senator Rubio

June 3, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510
Sen. Rubio,

Sorry to be a bit late in getting my week’s contribution to the National debt to you. I had an out patient surgery and have been sleeping a lot while I recover.

Enclosed, please find my check for the week. My challenge of contributing 1% of your salary (as I am doing) along with compelling your staff to do the same remains open.

I look forward to hearing a rapid response and acceptance to my challenge.

Regards,





Hastings Henderson

e-mail to President Barak Obama, Senator Bill Nelson, Rep Nancy Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid,Democratic National Committee

May 31, 2011, Memorial Day

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am in hope’s that one member of the Democratic Party leadership team that I send this e-mail too will take the time out of their busy day to read this. Otherwise, you will give the Republican Party a chance to one up you as an organization.

I send this e-mail as a registered Democrat in the State of Florida.

Over the past several weeks, I have been in the process of challenging my Congressman, Daniel Webster, to match a challenge to him from me by donating 1% of his salary to the direct reduction of the principal of the National Debt.

Much to my surprise, Congressman Webster met my challenge and in fact has directed his staff to do the same. His staff member that called me to inform me was named Elizabeth.

I have now directed my efforts at Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.

You may see all the letters I have written and the process I have followed at my blog site,

Reduce the National Debt, http://hastingshenderson.blogspot.com/

I will be copying and posting this e-mail there as well.

Here is an opportunity to show the American people that Democratic party is serious about the debt reduction as well.

I am sure that Rep. Webster’s office is going to approach me about my little project. I hope I won’t have to say that no one in the Democratic Party never showed interest.

In fact, my first check wnet to Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fl, who never bothered to respond to me.



Sent to: President Barak Obama, Senator Bill Nelson, Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz( would  not allow me to e-mail her), Rep Nancy Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid, Rep Jim Clyburn (would not allow me to e-mail him), Democratic National Committee



Hastings Henderson

Letter to Gov. Rick Scott R-FL 5/29 (mailed)/2011

Office of Governor Rick Scott
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

May 26, 2011

Sir:

It is time for you, as an elected official with millions in the bank, to put you money where your mouth is.

I have challenged Congressman Daniel Webster and his staff to match the 1% of my net income and send it directly to the US treasury to be directed to the principal of the National Debt. Congressman Webster has accepted my challenge and has reduced his staff’s salary as well. I am now concentrating my focus on Sen. Mark Rubio.

Your estimated net worth is in the $219 million range. While you have told the people of Florida, you will take no salary, I think you should donate 1% of what would have been you governor’s income and use it to pay down the nations debt. Further I think you should ask the members of your staff to do the same.

Finally, I think you should discuss the possibility of average Americans, like me, to have the opportunity through their employers, to make donations that do DIRECTLY to the principal of the National debt. Right now, I am sending my check to Sen. Rubio

Perhaps you could set a remarkable example and donate 1% of your net worth directly to the reduction of the Nation Debt.
I look forward to a positive response in short order so together we can attract this problem from all fronts
　

Hastings Henderson

Got a call today while I was sleeping off the operation pain from Frank in Daniel Webster's office. I'll have to call he back on Monday. Wonder what this one wants? we'll see

First letter to Senator Rubio

May 24, 2011

Sen. Marco Rubio
US Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510
Sen. Rubio,

Please find enclosed a copy of an e-mail I sent to you and your response.

Rep. Daniel Webster has decided to match my challenge of contributing 1% of his income to the reduction of the Nation debt. Not only that, he has gotten his staff to do the same-I received a call from Elizabeth in his office today.

I have enclosed my check for this week made out to the US Treasury for $5.00. Please forward it to the necessary location.

As I told Rep. Webster, when my tax returns are filed, I will make up the remainder of the balance I have promised to donate.

I am now making the same challenge to you. Donate 1% of you salary to the direct reduction of the National debt and get you colleagues in the Senate to do the same.

I look forward to hearing a rapid response and acceptance to my challenge.

Regards,

Hastings Henderson

Phone call from Daniel Webster's office

Congressman Webster's office did, in fact, call me again to day. Elizabeth in his office has informed me that both he and his staff are going to meet my challange of reducing their salaries and sending it the US Treasury to reduce the National Debt. OMG-I am now going to focus my efforts on Marco Rubio. Same Blog page, Same Blog Channel

I have had an out patient surgery and have not posted the last several days.

Nothing today from the Webster office. Should I be surprised?

No call from Elizabeth today. Guess I'll have to wait til next week now.

Got a call from Elizabeth at Webster's office-sadly I was driving and Jeff answered the phone. We'll see if she calls back!

letter for 5/19/2011

Rep. Daniel Webster
United States Congress
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

05/19/2011

Rep. Webster:

I have been reading about the profit’s the 5 big oil companies have been reporting and I, for the life of me, don’t understand the rational of the American people supporting them with $4 billion in subsidies. Are they not able to support themselves on the $4.00 a gallon gas that puts a strain on the backs of the average Joe? If the case is that we are supporting their research for more and more oil and gas discovery and production, why then, are we as the American people not reaping a benefit from that research. If our money is paying for their most recent break-through, then why are we not receiving part of the profit they reap from our taxpayer dollars. Let’s face it-this could be $4 billion that we use to directly reduce the National debt.

Enclosed, please find my contribution to the reduction of the National debt (principal, of course) for this week and I look forward to your accepting my ongoing challenge to match the 1% of my income that I am contributing to reduce said debt.

Until next week, I remain waiting patiently for your response:

With kindest regards, I am,





Hastings Henderson

Interim response form Marco Rubio

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I have received your message and I welcome the opportunity to address your concerns. If you've attempted to contact my office previously and have not yet received a response, I hope you will accept my sincere apology. As you await a response, please know that our office is working towards best serving the state of Florida. I appreciate hearing your views, and I understand how important these issues are to you. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and please expect my response in the near future. If you need immediate assistance with a federal agency, please call (866) 630-7106 toll-free in Florida. You may also contact the Orlando regional office at (407) 254-2573 or the Miami regional office at (305) 418-8553. Do not mail correspondence to the Washington DC Office as it will delay the response to your request for assistance.

e-mail to Senator's Rubio and Nelson

May 15, 2011

Senator Marco Rubio
Senator Bill Nelson

Sirs:

I have issued a challenge to my Congressman, Daniel Webster, to donate 1% of his income directly to the principal of the National debt. I am sending him a check each week and at the end of the year, after I have completed my 2011 tax return, I will send him the remainder.

Obviously, since I work for the Walt Disney Company, my contributions will not account for a whole lot, but I assure you that in today’s economy it will amount to 6 to 8 tanks of gas for my car. What this actually comes to right now is my willingness to have one less libation, one less Starbucks, one less trip to my favorite restaurant.

I have made the following basic calculations regarding the house and senate if all members would do this:

432 congressmen make the same, $174,000, the Speaker $223.500 and the majority and minority leaders $193,400. This would come to a total of $757,783.

In the Senate, assuming similar income would come to $119,981. The President, $400,000 for $4,000.

This would be a total applied to the principal debt of $872,764
I look forward to your non-pat response to me and hope that you have the guts to put your money where your mouth is and join me in this attempt to reduce the National debt.

Hastings Henderson

Tonight (5-14) I sent e-mails to Glen Beck and Sean Hannity at, of all places, Fox News, to see if they can elicit a response from Congressman Webster

As of Friday, May 13th, 2011, I have had no contact from Congressman Webster. I would only assume that there will bo none for the only way that he can give an answer that does not make him look like he is not willing to put his money where his mouth is would be to donate the 1% I ask. Also, as of this date, none of the sent checks have been cashed.

Third letter to Congressman Webster

Rep. Daniel Webster
United States Congress
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

05/12/2011

Rep. Webster:

Here is my check for the week to apply to the National Debt.

Haven’t heard from you regarding my challenge-very disappointed




Hastings Henderson

Second letter to Congressman Webster

Rep. Daniel Webster
United States Congress
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

05/02/2011

Rep. Webster:

Here is my check for the week. Please send it to the appropriate location for principal debt reduction.

I am so disappointed that you have not responded to my “challenge” and that you have not requested your colleagues do the same.

For example, 432 congressmen make the same, $174,000, the Speaker $223.500 and the majority and minority leaders $193,400. This would come to a total of $757,783.

In the Senate, assuming similar income would come to $119,981. The President, $400,000 for $4,000.

This would be a total applied to the principal debt of $872,764.

A drop in the bucket, maybe, but how many other Americans would be willing to do this. I guess we’ll never know unless Congress takes the lead. How bout the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, Congressional staffers, State leaders……



Hastings Henderson

First letter to Congressman Webster

Rep. Daniel Webster
United States Congress
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

4/25/2011

Rep. Webster:

I have decided to give up a cup of coffee per week or a trip to McDonalds or an extra beer at the World of Beer in Orlando and each week send a check for $5.00 to pay down the principal of the National Debt.

I am going to send you this check made out to the US Treasury, until my elected officials decide to grow up and act like adults to fix our problems.

Further, I am going to begin to encourage others to do the same and send checks to their Senators.

Please expect this each week and be kind enough to forward it to the appropriate location.





Hastings Henderson