Stop the Spending, Congress! Take Taxes "Off the Table"
In a letter to Senator Mitch McConnell last week (requires Adobe), leaders of a coalition of “limited government activists” asked Senators “to declare net tax increases ‘off the table’ in any budget or debt limit negotiations.” Among the coalition of activists were such groups as the National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity, 60 Plus Association, Small Business and Entrepreneurial Council, Hispanic Leadership Fund, and Tea Party Patriots.
The key points of the letter, according to Government Bytes, the NTU blog, were:
- Keep net tax increases off the negotiating table
- The problem is overspending, not under-taxing (emphasis added)
- No grand budget compromises if there are actual tax increases
- Washington D.C.’s extravagant spending has led to the current debt crisis
The coalition letter closed by saying:
“The limited government movement is united around the unavoidable fact that Washington spends too much money, and that’s what has put our nation in debt. Higher taxes will simply fuel yet more spending, as it has in the past. Only when tax increases are no longer part of the conversation can the debate in Washington turn to where it squarely belongs—the Beltway’s addiction to spending.
“We urge all Members of Congress and Senators to take tax increases off the table in any budget or debt limit legislation.”
Arlington County taxpayers concerned about federal spending and deficits and the debt may want to take a few minutes to voice their concerns to their poohbahs on Capitol Hill. Better yet, write to them at the links below:
- Senator Jim Webb (D) -- write to him or call (202) 224-4024.
- Senator Mark Warner (D) - write to him or call (202) 224-2023.
- Representative Jim Moran (D) -- write to him or call (202) 225-4376.