2.28.09 POST ECONOMIC STIMULUS RESPONSE

Dear Senator Specter, 2.28.09

I deeply appreciate your letter explaining your position regarding economic stimulus and ,from it, can clearly understand your position.

I had asked that you not vote $1.00 for economic stimulus and this would be the reasoning behind that request:

1. The Bible says to owe no man anything. I believe that the God of the Bible is our creator and ,as such, knows how we best function.

2. My understanding of the financial crisis is that it was brought on by character defects one of which was greed, the desire for more. God tells us to be content with food and covering (clothing and shelter). Everything we do that is contrary to His command has a consequent correction, sometimes immediate and sometimes distant. One of God's correctives for disobedience is suffering. Corrective suffering serves the purpose of bringing us back to a place of obedience. God, though correcting, is merciful to us when we disobey. If He directs that mercy come by human agency it is to come at the hands of other individuals only. Neither the Bible nor the Constitution make provision for mercy to come at the hands of government

3. It is my understanding that the government encouraged the effort to provide housing for people who, considering the normal principles that guide whether or not to loan money, did not qualify as being able to pay back the loan. In so doing the government was going beyond it's God-given function. In so doing it was also, contrary to Scripture, becoming surety - becoming a promisary for the payment of another. The Bible says, 'A man lacking sense shakes hands and becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor'. (Proverbs 17:18)

4. It is reported that much of the money is for 'pork". You state that you are only for income tax reductions and business tax breaks, which one could argue might stimulate the economy, but that you had to compromise or there would be inaction. Had you refused to compromise this would hav been principled, responsible, representative action. I believe that inaction is better than wrong action and am disappointed.

5. According to the Constitution the government has not been given a right by the people whom they represent to become involved in the private affairs of men so long as those affairs do not involve injustice. In passing the economic stimulus bill it seems that the government has not corrected those who have done wrong (greed) but, rather, have joined with them in wrongdoing and then have sought to be themselves the corrective agent for the wrong done.

6. What has been done by the economic stimulus bill appears to be the 'legalized', forcible taking of property from those who are not responsible for the crisis and using this to 'help' those who are responsible.
7. This appears to be taxation without representation breaking the commandment of God, 'Thou shalt not steal' as well as a disregard for constitutional restraints against such.

8. I believe that in passing this bill you have broken your oath to uphold the constitution.

I believe that you are well-meaning in your intention to help out in a very difficult situation, but that you are tragically mistaken for the reasons listed above in so doing. Beyond your role of punishing evildoers and making sure that they are corrected, beyond you and i and every person seeking to help, as individuals, the current resultant need that comes from that evil, my belief is that all we can do is pray for God to have mercy on us and look to Him for help in our need as a nation at this time.

Had you acted accordingly i would been most grateful. Honestly, in light of what has been, and continues to be, done I believe the only honorable thing for you and President Obama, who signed this into law, is to undo what has been done or quit your offices as having failed your Biblical and Constitutional mandates.

I am anxious to hear your thoughts in response. God bless you for all the good you do in representing us.

Sincerely, Stephen Paine