1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am a mother of two school-age children, a teacher, and a proud member of my community in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am concerned about the rapid decisions being made by our federal government with little background knowledge or sense of long-term consequences, as well as misled ideas about what taxpayers want. I have seen a rapid succession of grants, departments, and programs being cut and deemed unnecessary or "not statutorily essential", such as that of the Atomic Spectroscopy Group or research grants at universities. In the case of the ASG, their small but mighty work takes only a fraction of our money but gives profound standards and measurements used for scientific research all around the world. Why would such an important program be cut when it could set back scientific research and advancements that benefit years and years of American lives? As a conscientious taxpayer, and as someone who has a tight family budget, I want to be very clear to my representatives in Congress how I wish my tax money spent. I do want my tax money to be spent on scientific research that benefits all of us. I do want my tax money to be spent on humanitarian aid to countries where this is a difference between life and death, both because it furthers the American image in the world and because it is the right and humane thing to do. I do want my tax money spent on public broadcasting that reaches millions in our nation with educational programming and fair journalistic practices every day. I do not want my tax money spent on increased DHS and ICE agents grabbing people off the street or out of churches, schools, and hospitals and deporting them without due process. I do not want my tax money spent on holding facilities -- or paying other nations for these holding facilities -- due to this increase in immigration "enforcement" without due process. I do not want my tax money spent on increased military funding while at the same time our leaders disrespect, bully, and antagonize our allies. I do believe in our nation, and in the role of the representatives like you to speak for ALL of the people you represent, not only for your own political views. Please be sure you are being balanced in speaking up for all voices and for all of us in Wisconsin who voted for you. Thank you.