Carmel, IN - August 31, 2009 - Fifth District Republican Congressional candidate Brose McVey today called on incumbent Representative Dan Burton to suspend further use of tax dollars to finance political junk mail. McVey called on Burton to "lead by example, not follow."
"It's time for the 5th District to be represented by a leader, not by a follower. Rep. Burton can send a signal to his colleagues and his voters by saying 'no' to this political privilege," McVey said. In addition, McVey asked Burton to disclose the full cost of design, production and the market value of postage associated with his use of the franking privilege since elected in 1982, and since his reelection last fall. Burton's latest mailing, touting his personal opinion about the House Democrat health care plan, recently arrived in mailboxes throughout the eleven-county district.
"In case Washington hasn't gotten the message, our people are hurting. I know a lot of families in Peru and Wabash and Marion who could put these tax dollars to much better use-for their mortgage and car payments, for food and clothing, and for job retraining," said McVey.
"Our voters aren't stupid," said McVey. "They know that glossy photographs of the Congressman beside pretty charts and graphs don't represent voter education or service." Pointing to the economy and exploding federal debt, McVey asked the Congressman to suspend further mailings.
"Our people are tired of politics as usual. They've had enough. I've had enough. It's time to say 'No' to more federal spending; it's time to say 'no' to more political perks. If the Congressman wants to send out four-color photos of him and spooky looking doctors, he should use some of the money he's raised from Washington'spolitical action committees, not our tax dollars," McVey said.
"I oppose the Pelosi health care plan as well. But, that is a statement of policy, not educational content." McVey continued.
In 2007, Congressman Burton made the "top ten list" of Members of Congress who sent the most mail at taxpayer expense with the public paying for printing and mailing expenses for nearly 700,000 pieces of mail. Burton has spent nearly $800,000 doing mass mailings with public funds over the past decade, according to Congressional records and research by the National Taxpayers Union.
McVey: Voters Expect More
"Our people can and should expect more from their Representative," said McVey. "They should expect restraint, good judgment and sensitivity to the burden Washington has already placed on their shoulders." Publicly available data suggests that Congress spends more than $20 million a year on franked mail.
McVey began his campaign in March by calling for term limits and for an end to Burton's political junk mail. McVey has also sworn off donations from Political Action Committees (PACs) and will work to end gerrymandered districts that favor incumbents. Burton has served in Congress since 1983, when Brose McVey was still an undergraduate at Purdue University studying agricultural economics.
The North Face - New Backpacks Just Arrived
Thank you Brose McVey. I'm sick of the quarterly tri-fold glossy mailings from Burton touting his achievements. Hell, half of the votes his missed while golfing.
Same with Leonard. Same cheesy assed smile with his lift of accomplishments and a list of softball questions on back for a "survey". 1. Would you like to see lower taxes in Indiana? 2. Would you like to see Indian retain more of it's college graduates? etc....
Both spending my money on there wasteful flyers and postage. Fact is both are using it as a tool to tout their achievements but both have a very poor record of voting for the common taxpayer that they "say" they are protecting.
Make them pay for the postage and mailings and art and production out of their own salaries and see how much more of this SH--, I mean junk mail shows up in your box.
Posted by: Wasted Vote | August 31, 2009 at 08:31 PM