A woman from Gulfport, Mississippi emailed a letter to state Representative Karl Oliver (R) asking him for vote against a bill that could very well make Mississippi look like the economic wastelands of Louisiana and Kansas.
Rep. Oliver responded directly to this constituent by telling her to go back to liberal Illinois.
Mrs. Guidry,
I normally don't return emails that do not request a response, but I found yours so intriguing I simply felt led to respond.
I see you are not a native to the Great State of Mississippi nor do you and I have similar political views. The people of our Great State overwhelmingly share my same or similar views on Government responsibility. I appreciate you going to the trouble to share yours with me, but quite frankly, and with all due respect, I could care less. I would, however, recommend that there are a rather large number of like minded citizens in Illinois that would love to see you return.
With warmest personal regards,
Karl Oliver
If attitudes like this dominate the state legislature and governor's mansion in the state, we're just a few years away from asking 'what's the matter with Mississippi?'
The bill passed by the state Senate and currently being considered by the state House will eliminate corporate franchise taxes and cut income taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars. Other states that have moved to eliminate corporate taxes and cut income taxes haven't fared so well recently, as I'm sure you know, and that is why a constituent contacted Rep. Oliver.
Becky Guidry of Gulfport told Rep. Oliver that she's concerned about funding for public education and infrastructure, among other things, but Oliver 'couldn't care less.'
I'm not sure telling people to leave the state is a good message to send if you're at all concerned about the long-term viability of your state's economy.