Do YOU want tax reform?
By Dr. Paul C. Broun, M.D.
Washington,
Apr 20 -
Today, each and every American is as familiar with the current tax system as they are with the last time they stumped their toe or smashed their finger with a hammer. Just as each physical injury has left a memory of pain and discomfort, so has each tax filing burned a memory of stress and frustration.
Tonight, at 6pm, I will be speaking at the Augusta Riverwalk Amphitheatre to discuss taxes and the effects of taxes on my constituents. For more information please contact one of my offices. This speech will serve as a reminder of just how much of our hard-earned money the government takes out of our paychecks. It was just a few days ago that the American people observed Tax Freedom Day – a day when families finally put in enough work hours to cover the tax bill for this year.
Families in Georgia should start watching their wallets now considering that the recently passed energy tax will cost each family $3,128 more each year. This tax will impact every family and every small business -- certainly makes you wonder what happened to President Barack Obama's statements that he would not raise taxes “one single dime” on 95 percent of Americans.
Our founding fathers did not establish Congress to endlessly take from the people; and they were very clear on this point. According to Thomas Jefferson, "Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated." James Madison went even further. He wrote, "I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents." Heavy taxation is bad representation.
How many times will we hit ourselves in the thumb with an economic hammer before we realize that this is not the way to approach our problems?
As representatives, we have an obligation to be good stewards of the people's money and a responsibility to ease the financial burden of government.
I have supported several alternative spending bills and budget proposals. I also support the Fair Tax and other straightforward alternatives that allow American families to keep more of the money they work for and effectively halt the federal government from squandering these dollars before families even see them. The bottom line is that if 10 percent is good enough for the Lord, it should be good enough for Uncle Sam.
We must also demand consideration of a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. The rights should include:
1. Taxpayers have a right to have a federal government that does not grow beyond their ability to pay for it.
2. Taxpayers have a right to receive back each dollar that they entrust to the government for their retirement.
3. Taxpayers have a right to expect the government to balance the budget without having their taxes raised.
4. Taxpayers have a right to a simple, fair tax code that they can understand.
I absolutely oppose those in Congress who plan to borrow more from overseas, while taxing more from hardworking Americans. This is not how a responsible government is supposed to operate.
On Tax Day 2009, I hope we turn up the heat on the Administration and Congressional leadership to remind them of Winston Churchill’s great words: “For a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
