Yesterday I did my taxes for the year 2008. My wife and I both work and make an average middle class income living paycheck to paycheck. Together, my wife and I paid about $5700 for federal income taxes. We are getting a whopping $870 back. Which means you, the federal government, are keeping $4,800 of our money. My question to each of you is; WHY? Why should I be sending any of our hard earned money to Washington? You simply take it and give it to AIG, GM, Chrysler, Ford, the Banksters, Wallstreet CEOs, who then use it for their personal bonuses, not to mention the nice little raises the three of you received this year.

My son is going to college and works on the side. His wife was working to help put him through school. She had their first child in December, and while she was on maternity leave she was laid off. Now they need our help and I am out of money. Do you realize or have any clue whatsoever how much we need our money that you are taking from us? That $4800 could be put to great use paying our bills and helping our children. The three of you always claim, in your campaigns, to be champions of the people. Well, are you or aren't you?

Regardless, I am asking for my money back. Yes, that's right, I want you to make sure my money is sent back to me. I am not asking for a grant, or for you to take money that belongs to my neighbors and then give it to me, and I am not asking for a multi-billion dollar bailout. All I want is my money returned. And I want it just as fast as the first bailout was passed and delivered to some of the aforementioned companies. If you can do it for them you can do it for me.

By the way, I work for a car dealership in Safford, and the bailout money to the banks and the CEOs of the big automakers has not improved a thing.! The next time you want to help America, start with mainstreet not Wallstreet. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Richard Mack