In light of an unprecedented 7-trillion dollar national deficit and a proposed 1-trillion dollar stimulus package, we here in Minnesota say "enough is enough." We do not think it's right to mortgage the economic security of our childrens' future and that of generations to come by being a willing recipient of federal stimulus dollars we as a nation cannot afford to give. We believe the 5 billion dollar deficit facing Minnesota is a result of excess spending and the increasing size of government. As a reflection of the state of the national economy, Minnesotans believe that the first step to freeing ourselves from deficit is to balance budgets and cut spending. With this in mind, we decide not to rely on a national obsession for falsely bolstering state economies through borrowed money for so-called "shovel-ready projects." We do not believe it is possible to spend our way out of a recession, and we will no longer be complicit in it. Therefore we call on elected leaders at every level of government to refuse federal stimulus funding in favor of the only proven way to stimulate a struggling economy: limiting the expansion of government and applying common sense tax reductions that encourage financial growth. Just say "no" to fiscal gimmicks that threaten future generations! No federal stimulus appropriations in Minnesota!