Dear Taxpayer:
The November election has been called a great day for taxpayers … and it was! To all the members of National Taxpayers Union (NTU) who participated in this stunning success, THANK YOU!
Yet with every electoral opportunity we’re given, it’s important to ask: what happens next?
Trick question – it’s already happening, and your National Taxpayers Union is in the thick of the action!
Will you stand with me as NTU works, right here, right now, to make sure that taxpayers’ interests prevail over special interests in the corridors of power?
Before I explain further why my request is so urgent, let me introduce myself. I’m Pete Sepp, the new President of National Taxpayers Union. For 26 years I have worked in various capacities for NTU. Communications, policy research, grassroots recruiting, lobbying on Capitol Hill … you name it, I’ve probably done it. And whatever the task, for me it’s always been a labor of love – a love of spreading the good word about economic freedom, of helping fellow taxpayers find their voice in the national conversation, of holding government accountable to the people who pay its bills.
I’m not the only one who feels that way. Here at our office in Alexandria, Virginia, only a few short miles from the White House and the Capitol, ten dedicated staff members of NTU and its sister organization, NTU Foundation, serve as your advocates.
The hours are long, and the pay is not that great, but each and every one of us gives it our all 365 days a year because we are mission-driven to protect your hard-earned money. Whether it’s a congressional committee room, a regulatory agency’s office, a court, a state government hearing, or even a city council chamber, we enjoy rolling up our sleeves and battling on your behalf. It’s not glamorous, but it’s got to be done.
I need to know if you’re with us as we strive to make a real difference, day in and day out. Will you commit to a contribution to NTU right now?
Sure, the election definitely broke our way. The U.S. Senate will have a conservative majority. Governor’s mansions around the country will be in more fiscally responsible hands, even in liberal strongholds like Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Voters in states such as Georgia and Tennessee utilized the ballot box to limit the reach of income taxes into residents’ pockets. Meanwhile, thanks to the efforts of NTU and many other allied groups, taxpayers at the grassroots remain strong and engaged, backed by massive intellectual firepower from top-notch think tanks.
But these advantages are no guarantee of success. Taxpayers can get to the front door of the Capitol, but who’s there to make sure they have a seat at the table where legislation is actually crafted? Piles upon piles of research can show what’s wrong with government’s broken machinery, but who has blueprints to show citizens how they can fix it?
I’m confident that NTU and NTU Foundation are up to these complex tasks. With renewed drive and focus, we’re ready and able to change the way government works, one billion … or even one million … dollars at a time.
Yes, we will continue to pursue the long-term goals we all want to reach for a more prosperous future … comprehensive tax reform, a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a top-to-bottom overhaul of our entitlement programs.
Nonetheless, we can’t overlook the opportunities to move the ball down the field, gaining yards on each play. For example:
- NTU is pushing hard to make permanent the soon-to-expire ban on Internet access taxes, so that the Information Superhighway doesn’t become big government’s tollbooth.
- We’ve just published a study showing how a tax scheme called the Marketplace Fairness Act would cost the average online-shopping household $360 a year – and lawmakers are taking notice. House Speaker John Boehner has just pronounced MFA “dead on arrival” in his chamber!
- We’re defending the 2011 budget caps that helped to trim billions off federal deficits over the past two years. We refuse to let Congress throw away this vital tool for spending control as they wheel and deal over a year-end “Omnibus” spending bill.
- We’re drawing a line in the sand over the “tax extenders” bill, which could perpetuate awful policies such as the Wind Production Tax Credit. We’re showing Congress how to do it better, line-by-line, in the Tax Code.
In short, we’re not waiting for 2015 (or worse after the 2016 elections) to make genuine gains for taxpayers. And I think you share this vision.
I’m asking you to help us with the resources we need to stay effective throughout this aptly-named “lame duck” session of Congress. Your donation will facilitate grassroots outreach, social media presence, and other activities designed to secure the wins that are so near our grasp.
I am personally grateful for, and inspired by, the sacrifice that is reflected in your financial support for NTU. It’s why we pledge our maximum effort every day to honor the trust you have placed in us.
Please don’t delay … your contribution can be put to such good use right away. Forward!