BAN ASSAULT GUNS AND REDUCE THE KILLINGS

In 1994 38,505 Americans were killed with guns.  In 1994 President Clinton persuaded Congress to ban the sale of assault guns and in 2001 the number of Americans killed with guns dropped to 29,573. 

In 2004 President Bush persuaded Congress to let the ban on assault guns expire and the number of Americans killed with guns increased.  Recently 20 6 and 7 year old children were killed  with an assault gun while attending school.

From 1979 to 2005 the number of Americans killed in automobile accidents decreased 14.97% and  traffic fatalities were the lowest in 63 years. Americans are safer and fewer are killed by automobiles because common sense laws and regulations were enacted requiring testing before issuing a drivers license, imposing speed limits, requiring cars to be equipped with seat belts and air bags and prohibiting driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Americans believe the right to own and operate an automobile does not bestow upon you the freedom to drive your car at 100 mph while in a drunken stupor across a crowded school playground filled with 6 and 7 year old children.

Many Americans believe the Constitutional right to bear arms does not bestow upon you the freedom to own assault guns which in the hands of irresponsible people increase the chance your 6 year old child or grandchild will be gunned down while sitting in a classroom.

Guns are made to kill and assault guns are made to kill more people faster and never were intended for squirrel hunting.  Not even the NRA contends hunters use assault guns to kill game.

The NRA says Congress should immediately provide guns for teachers without naming one country that arms it’s teachers.  Placing 100 plus guns in the 5 Heber Springs Schools would only increases the number of guns available to shoot students.  Would you pay the taxes necessary to make schools armed fortresses?

Do not be misled support President Obama and urge Congress to reduce the number of innocent people killed with guns by banning assault guns.

WHAT DOES YOUR CONGRESSMAN DO TO EARN HIS PAY

The Republican controlled House in 2012 passed 90 bills---a record low number.

In 2011 the average expense allowance for each member of the House was $1.4 million. Multiplying the average expense allowance and the salary ($174,000.00) by the number of House members (435) the cost of just these two items to taxpayers to pass 90 bills was $616.5 million.   This does not include any cost incurred by the House Committees, Subcommittees, Joint Committees, House Officers and House Officials.

As a voter and taxpayer I am interested in how Congress votes and spends my tax dollars and am requesting Congressman Rick Crawford to answer the following questions.

Do you and each member of your staff keep a daily record of your activities along with the names of all people contacted or who contacted you which records voters may view?

If not would you agree to keep such records in the future?

What was your Congressional expense allowance for the year 2012?

How many staff members did you have in 2012 and what was the job description for each? What was the expenses for your staff in 2012?

Please give the title and bill number for all bills you sponsored or co-sponsored in 2012 and how many of those became law.

What were the reasons that caused you to sign the Grover Norquist pledge never to raise taxes and will you continue to honor that pledge? 

Would you sign a pledge never to cut benefits for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or Food Stamps and give the reasons for your answer.

How much will you reduce your expense allowance and how much will you reduce the  salary allowance of your staff in 2013?

Are you voters and taxpayers in Cleburne County interested enough in what Congress does and how much Congress costs taxpayers to write Congressman Crawford about these concerns and based on his record decide if he is earning his pay?