[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H1048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MONEY FOR THE MOB MUSEUM

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, as Americans worry about the 
economy, Washington is using the politics of fear to promote a so-
called stimulus package. This $800 billion bill will cost every man, 
woman, child and illegal in the United States about $2,700. However, 
we're told unless we pass this big spending bill, we're, in essence, 
all going to die.
  The intimidating tactics used by the proponents give money to special 
interest groups like museums, including, believe it or not, the Mob 
Museum. That's right. The Mayor of Las Vegas correctly claims the bill 
allows for millions of dollars to go to funding the Las Vegas show 
piece, the Mob Museum.
  I wonder how the money for a high dollar edifice to glorify organized 
crime will help out our economy. Obviously, the government should not 
strong-arm the taking of the people's money only to give it to this or 
to other special interest groups.
  Let the people keep more of their own money. Cut taxes for all those 
that pay taxes. Then with more of their own money, the people will 
decide how to stimulate the economy. After all, it is their money. And 
I doubt they will be buying tickets to a museum dedicated to organized 
crime.
  And that's just the way it is.

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