As you may know, we sent 537 copies of Empire of Debt to the scalawags in Washington the day after the Senate hearings confirming Bernanke. And then, we asked readers to call or e-mail their representatives to make sure they got the books and read the introduction (at least!). "What did you expect to happen next?' a Smart Money magazine reporter asked Addison Wiggin during an interview. Hmmmn. That's a good question. It was almost an experiment to prove what we're saying in book, that politics has come to such a state that even when they agree with us privately they can't do anything about it. As of now, we've received six form letters and several holiday cards back. One representative from Michigan writes: "Thank you for your generous gift you sent to me. The book, Empire of Debt, will make a nice addition to my collection." But a Senator from Wisconsin warns us that he has adopted his state's code of ethics prohibiting him any gifts because of his public position. In lieu of accepting the gift, he will put it on public display in his office, "as property of the State of Wisconsin for the enjoyment of visiting Wisconsin residents." Public apology: We certainly did not intend to get the gentleman from Michigan in trouble for accepting gifts. And Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, of Las Vegas, took time out of her schedule to send us this handwritten note: 
We've also recently recieved a two-page letter from Senator Russell Feingold of Wisconsin. "I share your concerns about wasteful government spending and spiraling budget deficits," writes Senator Feingold, "and for that reason I have led the effort to reinstate the pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rule. Under this requirement, Congress must find offsets to pay for new spending on entitlement programs or new tax cuts…The PAYGO requirement is a proven tool of fiscal restraint that was instrumental in reducing annual budget deficits during the 1990's leading eventually to a balanced budget." You can read the rest of what Senator Feingold has to say by clicking here: Senator Feingold's Letter to Addison Some dedicated DR readers have, at our urging, taken matters into their own hands and contacted their Congressperson or Senator…and with reader Jon Rice, we think we may have struck gold: "Hello Members of Daily Reckoning.com. "I thought you might be interested in the letter I received in response to my asking Senator Nelson of Fl to be sure he read more than just the introduction of the book you sent him, Empire of Debt. Below is that response. "Dear Mr. Rice, "Thank you for sharing your views on our nation's spending priorities. As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I take seriously my role in the Federal budget process. "Our nation is at a critical junction. Recent gas price increases and the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma have left many people struggling just to get by. Meanwhile, the budget passed by the Congress shortchanges hardworking Americans, gives the biggest breaks to only the wealthiest among us, and puts our nation in deeper debt. "To set spending priorities, I firmly believe we must implement a pay-as-you-go system that requires Congress to implement sound fiscal policies that will help reduce the $8 trillion debt. Reducing the debt will help prevent inflation and cuts in critical government programs that many Americans rely upon, like Social Security and Medicare. "I appreciate your opinions about our nation's budget and our economic well being, and will take them into account as the budget is debated in committee and on the Senate floor." Perhaps Senator Nelson means what he says. But it does sound like a page right out of the "Democratic Response to Waning Poll Numbers for Republicans Play Book" (Or, as the great Mogambo would say, the DRWPNR Play Book). And another reader, David Tribble, of Sacremento, California, goes above and beyond the call of duty: "Not only have I bought the book and read it, but I have given it now as a gift to two other people," he writes. "I have also sent an email to my Congressman, Dan Lungren, urging him to read it or I would start a petition. I will be very interested in what this real live, breathing elected official had to say in this hand written letter." A note to Mr. Tribble: start the petition. Do us proud. If you want to read a Congressional response with a little juice to it…write or call your Congressman and tell them to get reading and write in to The Daily Reckoning. You can find contact details for your rep here: Open Letter To Members Of Congress
Empire of Debt: The Rise of an Epic Financial Crisis 
Buy your copy here - makes a great Christmas present
for both family and friends!
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