LETTER Unanswered questions: Rep. Jason Smith's accountability to Missouri's most impoverished district
Voters for Positive Action urge Rep. Jason Smith to address pressing questions about Missouri's 8th District, one of the nation's poorest. They seek clarity on layoffs, agriculture, social benefits, and more.
To the Editor,
Voters for Positive Action would like Rep. Jason Smith to answer questions regarding certain issues.
The 8th Congressional District of Missouri — (Smith’s) district — is (one of the) most impoverished district in the nation. It is rich, however, in hard-working, patriotic voters and in natural resources. To show your respect for them, would you please answer the following questions about recent conditions in the 8th?
1. How many federal employees have been laid off in the 8th Congressional District? (USFS, NPS, NRCS, etc.)
2. What is the value of their expertise to the district? Please cite the amount of CRP and other agricultural payments, tourism dollars to visit federal lands, and the value of timber products in this district.
3. How many immigrants convicted of crimes have been deported from the 8th Con. District?
4. How many farmers in the 8th Con. District sell their crops overseas through USAID or other aid organization, and what is the value of those crops?
5. How many businesses in the 8th Con. District depend on these farmers for income, e.g. equipment, fertilizer and seed sales, small businesses, etc.?
6. How many people in the 8th Con. District receive Social Security?
7. How many are enrolled in Medicare?
8. How many people in the 8th Con. District receive SNAP benefits? Medicaid?
9. How many people in the 8th Con. District are comfortable sharing their personal information with DOGE? With hackers?
10. How much waste and fraud were detected by DOGE in the 8th Con. District? Please provide details.
We request prompt answers.
Sincerely,
Voters for Positive Action, Rolla
