At this time of national political gridlock and state dysfunction, my conservative friends have been saying, "We don't have a taxing problem but a spending problem." Yet they persist in corporate welfare to billion-dollar corporations.

Case in point, Sen. Mitch McConnell, a leading Republican, saw fit to attach to the recent fiscal cliff compromise a $500 million (half a billion) perk to Amgen, recently fined $750 million for improper marketing, at taxpayers expense. Also Goldman-Sachs, recipient of billions in stimulus funding, a $5.5 billion net worth company, was granted a sweetheart deal of tax abatements on the corporate headquarters in New York. Many remember this company took taxpayers' money and paid bonuses in the recession.

I agree the deficits are too high and corporate and social welfare, though necessary sometime, should be restrained. I invite the Tea Party or like-minded conservatives to debate on radio or television, or both, at a time and place to be determined, the merits of their positions. The American people deserve the facts, not spin or sound bites.

Alvin E. Bolden

Executive director, East St. Louis Neighborhood Development Corp.

East St. Louis