LETTER TO THE EDITORS OF THE ATLANTIC JOURNAL AND CONSTITUTION
April 16, 2002
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I was deeply disappointed to read your editorial regarding Congresswoman McKinney's efforts to hold government accountable for performance.
On September 11, America experienced a horrible failure of our national security and intelligence infrastructure. Despite our investing approximately $350 billion a year in what is supposed to be the world's finest military and intelligence capacity, over 3,000 people died as the world watched helpless to do a thing. An hour after the first act of war, the Pentagon could not protect its own headquarters. Shortly thereafter, we were asked to underwrite a $48 billion increase in the Pentagon's budget, on the theory that more money would make us safe.
Congresswoman McKinney has asked that we investigate whether the reports by numerous mainstream press that we had been warned are true and why they failed to help protect us. She has also asked why there is $2.3 trillion missing at the Pentagon as confirmed by Secretary Rumsfeld in Congressional Testimony before the Armed Services Committee of which Congresswoman McKinney is a member.
Your readers, Georgia taxpayers, based on 1999 IRS Individual taxes for the state of Georgia, pay $5,324 every year for ever man, woman and child. Of that amount, based on the President's budget before the 9-11 increases, $4,595, or approximately 85% went to the eleven agencies who based on Senator Thompson's report "Government on the Brink" and Congressman Horn's annual report card could not produce reliable financial systems or financial audits, as required. Of those eleven agencies, two (Department of Defense and HUD) are missing over $3.3 trillion between fiscal 1998-2000.
By calling for traditional standards of transparency and accountability in government, Congresswoman McKinney is trying to make sure that the citizens of Georgia do not have to pay even more while they get even less. She merits your respect and consideration.
Sincerely Yours,
Catherine Austin Fitts President Solari Former Assistant Secretary of Housing, First Bush Administration Former Managing Director & Member of the Board, Dillon Read & Co. Inc.
Copyright � Catherine Austin Fitts 2002. Reprinted for fair use only
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