(Alexandria, VA) -- While other lawmakers are spinning fairy-tale proposals to address the federal government's fiscal woes, a revolutionary package presented today by the Republican Study Committee (RSC) offers taxpayers a non-fictional primer for lower taxes, responsible spending limits, and vital government reform, according to the 350,000- member National Taxpayers Union (NTU). The RSC introduced its American Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which is designed to combat runaway deficits and tame an unwieldy tax system.
"Just as our Constitution's Bill of Rights was a novel concept over 200 years ago, the RSC plan is a Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, one for which Americans can be proud," NTU Senior Government Affairs Manager Kristina Rasmussen said.
The main plank of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a pledge to balance the budget without raising taxes, to be achieved in part through a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment (a version of which NTU has championed since 1975).
"The rising federal Treasury receipts from recent tax cuts are a fact, not a fable," Rasmussen noted. "Four out of every five deficit reduction dollars are projected to come from more revenues over the next several years, but with curbs on spending Washington can reach a balanced budget more quickly and more honestly."
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights also would "create a common-sense Tax Code that is simple, fair, and consistent." NTU has lobbied for the current system to be replaced by a low flat tax or a national sales tax. "Kissing up to our toad of a Tax Code won't produce Prince Charming," Rasmussen quipped. "Our tax law has so many warts it's best to start from scratch." NTU has endorsed legislation from Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) that would "sunset" the Tax Code before 2011, a concept similar to one in the RSC proposal.
"Our nation's fiscal health is deteriorating fast and Members of Congress can't simply wave a magic wand to give this bleak story a happy ending," Rasmussen concluded. "Both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue must agree to write a new chapter in our history where near-constant deficits, complex taxes, and unaccountable government are simply horror stories from the past. We hope that Members of the Blue Dog coalition and other fiscally conscientious lawmakers will join the RSC in taking up the challenge."
NTU is a non-partisan citizen group working for lower taxes, smaller government, and economic freedom at all levels. Note: For more information, visit www.ntu.org.