Congresswomen Hahn's reasons (or rationalizations): Re-Print

On Congresswomen Hahn's reasons (or rationalizations) for voting against raising the debt ceiling (Easyreader, August 1):

“I listened to my constituents, and they overwhelmingly asked me to oppose this deal.”

Which constituents did she listen to exactly? Last time I checked, she was elected on a 55% majority, after barely edging by the second-place contender in the May run-off. And of those 55%, some most likely voted "D" in knee-jerk fashion or were so caught in the so-called assault on a woman's right to choose. The rest seem to believe that growing government involvement in our economy is the way to recovery.

Hahn then states:
"Three weeks ago, the people of my district sent me to Washington to protect Social Security and Medicare and get to work investing in our future and creating jobs."

Protect Social Security and Medicare? If Washington keeps running the way it has, on fumes and beyond capacity, there will be no Social Security or Medicare left to collect. The U.S. Government must cut spending drastically just to continuing payments on those bloated Ponzi schemes.

Hahn then adds: "I cannot support a bill that asks nothing of millionaires and billionaires while asking hardworking Americans already struggling to sacrifice even more.”

Who in their right (or left) mind still believes that raising taxes on the wealthy will generate more revenue? Wealthy people will simply put more of their money in tax shelters and trusts, or hire other wealth-conscious people to secure their wealth from the prying hands of the state. With all of this capital getting locked up, where will the new businesses come from? Who will we look to for " investing in our future and creating jobs? The Government? And with the lack of local job growth that results from higher taxes, "hardworking Americans already struggling" will indeed struggle more.

Despite the flagrant contradictions in her rationale (or rationalization) for not voting for raising the debt ceiling, Hahn has managed to fulfill one promise. She has created jobs. . . for herself and attending office staff, along with opening up a Council seat in Los Angeles--a duty which she should have had the integrity to complete, just like her father who completed a lengthy term as LA County Supervisor.