Dear Wisconsin Republican Legislators,
I understand that your only concern with limiting the food
items allowed to be purchased by FoodShare recipients is good stewardship of the
hard-earned Wisconsin tax payer’s money.
However, FoodShare recipients are not the only people living off the
generosity of my tax dollar. You too,
who have been in public life for some time are also feeding yourselves and your
families on my dollar. And I want some
accountability.
I would like to receive a monthly report that shows that no
more than ¼ of your income was spent in ways I consider unwise. I will give you some examples to help you
develop a more healthy lifestyle and to adequately thank me as a taxpayer for
my dollars.
Of course it goes without saying that there will be no
shellfish, alcohol, or spices other than salt and pepper purchased for your
family with my tax dollar. Also since
your salary is not for food only I believe I have the right, and
responsibility, to help you make good decisions about how you spend the rest of
your salary.
No vacations outside of Wisconsin. Wisconsin is a lovely state and there is
plenty to do here. You should not take
my tax dollar out of this state. That is
not what I pay you for. Also, if you are
keeping an apartment for yourself or second home in Madison I believe that must
end. You can sleep in your office or
rent an apartment with other legislators.
You may have two automobiles: one
for you here in the city and one for your family back in your district. Each must be used and at least five years
old. You do not need to be wasting my
money on fancy new cars.
I understand that you are given an allowance to purchase
food and necessities while you are in the capital city. I would like to receive an accounting of
where you eat and what you purchase when you eat out. Again, I do not think I as a taxpayer ought
to be paying for your beer or cocktails at lunch or dinner. You are being paid to work, not drink. And no one needs to eat a steak at a
restaurant. That is just too lavish. Hamburger will fill you just as well and save
me some money. Actually you ought to be
choosing only healthy food and setting an example for those SNAP recipients so
perhaps it would be better if you just ordered a salad.
Also you may not use your salary to send your child to a
private school. You are being paid with
public dollars and those dollars should be spent only on public education. This includes university. There are many good choices for college
education within the UW system and there is no need for me to pay for your
child to go to some fancy out-of-state institution.
I trust that you understand that these requirements are only
for your own good. I understand that at
times legislators have not made wise choices with my tax dollar and in these
hard times I cannot afford for you to make lavish, unwise choices with my
money. You may send me a monthly
accounting of where and how you spend your income. If I do not receive an accounting EACH MONTH
it will be necessary to suspend your income IMMEDIATELY. After an acceptable
period of time has passed you may reapply for your salary and I will decide if
you have learned from this experience and may therefore make better choices in
the future.
A citizen,
Ellen
