The Americans for Tax Reform "no new taxes" pledge is a commitment and a promise that is made between an officeholder and the constituents they represent. No one is forced to take the pledge — signing it is a voluntary act that a candidate takes if they feel strongly enough that the tax burden on their constituents is too high.
The wording of the pledge is very straight forward: "I [candidate name] pledge to the taxpayers of the [#] district of the State of [California] and all of the people of this state that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to raise taxes.
The pledge is much maligned by the political left and the media elite who do not know how to cope with the idea that there can be a principle so critically important to a fiscal conservative that they would sign a pledge. Understand that Americans for Tax Reform does not shower tens of millions of dollars down upon those who do not sign the pledge, like the unions do to those that don’t tow their strict line.. And many Republican candidates can and have won office without taking a "no new taxes" pledge (ATR’s or otherwise).
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February 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 am
Give us liberty or give us death. Sharp contrasts, the above for example, are reminders to Americans throughout our history…it is not time to go WOBBYLY….True patriots, true lovers of freedom sacrificed life, assets, careers, and sometimes family to gain or preserve FREDDOM. Our Republican legislators are at a crossroads…support, encourage and demand freedom from the tyranny of ever increasing taxation.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
No new taxes is necessary but not sufficient. Of course we are overtaxed. Anyone can see that. What we need is a greater attention on the amount of bureaucracy that is sucking the life out of California. Politicians need to commit to no new taxes AND taking on the bureaucracy.