FreedomWorks, a grass roots advocacy group led by former majority leader Dick Armey, has begun a signature gathering campaign to raise awareness and encourage presidential candidates to publicly endorse the American Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This proposal as developed by the RSC calls for four systemic changes to the federal spending and budgeting process.
Taxpayers have a right to have a federal government that does not grow beyond their ability to pay for it. Taxpayers have a right to receive back each dollar they entrust to the government for their retirement. Taxpayers have a right to expect the government to balance the budget without having their taxes raised. Taxpayers have a right to a simple, fair tax code that they can understand.
It's no secret that the budgeting and spending process in Washington is broken and needs to be fixed. Despite record growth in revenue, Congress continues to run up deficits. If we don't change this failed system, we will continue to pass on huge deficits to our children and grandchildren. Be sure and sign the petition here and send a message to Washington that the status quo is not acceptable.
For more news on the proposal and its crucial need, take a look at this editorial in The Daily Oklahoman. Also, RSC Communications Chair Marsha Blackburn wrote a good blog post on the subject. And for those who think this policy is only applicable to the federal government, check out this blog post on how it can be applied at the local level.