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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Join the April 15 (Wed.) Taxpayer's Tea Party

Before the Revolution; the 13 colonies are in pink. Image via Wikipedia

Government reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: National Taxpayers Union

A Taxpayer's Tea Party Is Happening Near You!

If you're fed up with the perpetual growth of government taxes, spending, and regulation, you have a great opportunity to make your voice heard this coming Wednesday!

A couple months ago, CNBC reporter Rick Santelli sparked the birth of a nationwide grassroots movement in opposition to government bailouts with his call for a "Chicago Tea Party" protest. Organizations including the National Taxpayers Union and its local allies have run with the idea, and "Tea Parties" have been scheduled in hundreds of locations around the country for this Wednesday, April 15. Angry citizens will be able to unite against reckless federal, state, and local fiscal policies that could ruin this great nation and condemn future generations to poverty.

If you haven't made plans to attend a Tea Party already, please visit the following Web site, www.teapartyday.com/Locations.aspx.

You'll be in the good company of thousands of National Taxpayers Union supporters who are committed to participating in these rallies.

In the National Taxpayers Union's 40-year history, we have rarely seen such an outpouring of spontaneous activity from communities of taxpayers throughout America. If all of us do our best to attend a local Tea Party and encourage others to do the same, we may very well be launching the beginning of a taxpayer revolt that will rival the American Revolution itself!

Please, take an hour or so this coming Wednesday, April 15, to stand up and be counted among millions of modern-day patriots who want to take back the government that once served taxpayers rather than special interests. See you there, and let's raise a ruckus politicians won't be able to ignore!

Sincerely,

Your Grassroots Action Team at NTU

>All Things Reform Mobile: allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi >Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (not toll-free) >US House/Senate Mobile: bit.ly/members >Contact your reps tips: bit.ly/dear >Shortened All Things Reform URL: bit.ly/dw

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

National Taxpayer Union weekly Internet radio program and social networking

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Government reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: National Taxpayers Union

NTU Launches Weekly Program

At last -- a voice for those who pay big government's bills, not those who create them. NTU has begun a weekly Internet radio program called "Speaking of Taxpayers" on gmmy.com. GMMY (Golden Music Memories of Yesteryear) Radio is an online destination dedicated to providing music and other entertainment from the 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Every Sunday from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, NTU's on-air personalities provide news and views of interest to taxpayers -- not just from Washington, DC, but from all 50 states and thousands of cities and towns from across the nation. Sponsored and produced by NTU, "Speaking of Taxpayers" will feature special guest interviews with NTU's policy experts, along with lawmakers, citizen activists, and other figures in the movement for limited government. The show also offers up an "Outrage of the Week" -- a ridiculous example of wasteful government spending modeled after the popular feature in NTU's research arm's award-winning newsletter, Capital Ideas.

In addition to online radio, NTU & NTUF are online whenever you connect to the Internet. We have RSS feeds for our home page, ntu.org, and for our blog, governmentbytes.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

National Taxpayers Union now offers text messaging service for their activists

Text messaging. Image via Wikipedia

Government reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: National Taxpayers Union

Texting for Taxpayers

"We alert. You call. They listen." That's the idea behind NTU's announcement of a new technology -- text messaging -- that will be used to activate concerned citizens nationwide on important matters of fiscal policy at the federal and state levels. Taxpayers can opt in to NTU's service by texting "FIGHT" to 54608.

After signing up for NTU's service by texting "FIGHT" to 54608, subscribers will receive an automated confirmation message with more information and opt-out instructions. NTU has maintained a long and growing list of activists willing to e-mail their government representatives on specific issues -- something it will continue to do -- but employing mobile messaging technology puts NTU ahead of the curve when it comes to grassroots activism.

Don't wait -- text "FIGHT" to 54608 today!

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Get the latest news on the government bailouts and take action at BeyondBailouts.org

Government reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: BeyondBailouts.org

BeyondBailouts.org is a joint venture of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). The purpose of the website is to educate about government’s role in our current financial difficulties, suggest reforms that address those root causes, and provide a clearinghouse for the latest analysis of the financial crisis. But most of all, it’s an outlet for Americans to contact their Members of Congress and the Administration to express their frustration.

Many Americans are angry about the bailout plan, and rightly so. Those who played by the rules and acted responsibly are now being forced to pick up the tab for those who didn’t.

America owes its economic success to our free-market system, a system that involves risk. Some businesses succeed, while others fail. Those who succeed deserve the rewards of that success, while those who fail should learn from their mistakes by going out of business. They shouldn’t run to the government for a handout.

BeyondBailouts.org is a place for honest, everyday Americans to educate themselves and contact their representatives to ensure that the government policies that helped create this mess are fixed for the long-term, not just for a few more months.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

National Taxpayer's Guide to 2008 election day ballot measures

Image via WikipediaGovernment reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: National Taxpayers Union

Your Taxpayer's Guide to 2008 Ballot Measures

Election season is well underway, but candidates shouldn't be your only focus right now. Many taxpayers will have the opportunity to vote on important tax and spending questions further down the ticket.

To help you sort out fact from fiction, your team at the National Taxpayers Union has put together a Ballot Guide that covers more than 100 initiative and referendum measures in 34 states. Among the proposals highlighted:

Arizona's Proposition 100 would prohibit new property transfer taxes;
Colorado's Amendment 59 could permanently kill certain tax rebate checks;
Maine's Question 1 would repeal new beverage taxes;
Massachusetts' Question 1 would completely eliminate state income taxes;
Minnesota's constitutional amendment could increase the state sales tax;
Oregon's Measure 56 could gut the "double majority" protection against tax hikes;
And, many more!

Your state or locality could be an important battleground for fiscal measures this year, with possible implications for other fights across the nation. Please take a moment to review the information we've compiled about major proposals up for consideration this November 4.

We'd like to note that NTU's Ballot Guide is for informational purposes only; it is not intended to provide endorsements or recommendations to voters. We hope it will serve as a useful resource for additional research.

Election Day is November 4, 2008. Remember to vote!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Urgent: Tell Your Congress members to Vote "NO" on the $700 Billion Financial Industry Bailout

Image via WikipediaGovernment reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: National Taxpayers Union

Urgent: Tell Your Elected Officials to Vote "NO" on the $700 Billion Financial Industry Bailout

Today, Sunday, September 28, Congress is scheduled to vote on the $700 billion bailout package. Below is a Vote Alert sent by NTU to each Capitol Hill office.

As a concerned taxpayer, you can help by picking up your phone and urging your elected officials to oppose this plan.

Contact information can be found by clicking here.

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National Taxpayers Union Vote Alert

NTU urges all Members of Congress to vote "NO" on the $700 billion financial industry bailout plan.

This unconscionable scheme forces the vast majority of taxpayers who were honest and prudent to bail out firms on Wall Street that made bad business decisions. Furthermore, it does nothing to address the root causes of today's market difficulties. The long-term effects of this fiasco, including inflation, a weaker dollar, and an even more precarious federal balance sheet, are almost certain to outweigh the shallow short-term stabilization of moneyed interests who have been twisting arms on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Congress helped to create this debacle with the Community Reinvestment Act, poor tax policies, hastily designed mark-to-market regulations, and spectacular negligence with regard to the systemic risks posed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Rather than addressing those core problems, this disgraceful plan instead snatches $700 billion from the pockets of hard-working Americans, the vast majority of whom had no part in this horrific play.

Congress apparently decided to listen to a few political heavy-hitters in the financial community about the need to shovel boatloads of taxpayer money into their faltering businesses, rather than listening to their constituents who oppose this giveaway almost unanimously. The legislation before you has made nips and tucks to the Treasury's original proposal that ultimately cannot conceal its fundamental flaws. Surely some Members will reap what they have sown at the ballot box for their shocking negligence of taxpayers' concerns.

Roll call votes on the bailout will be one of only a handful of votes in the last decade to receive the highest weight of 100 in our annual Rating of Congress.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Tell Pres. Bush and your Congress members NO to company bailouts

WASHINGTON - JULY 11: U.S. Secretary of En...

US Sec. of Energy Bodman, US Sec.
of Treasury Paulson, Pres. Bush
and VP Cheney.
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeGovernment reform orgs. deliver news on major events within their areas of expertise.
From: National Taxpayer Union

No More Bailouts!

Are you tired of hearing about how your tax dollars are going to bail out government-sponsored enterprises and private institutions? We are.

Did you send your hard-earned money to the IRS to cover the fiscal mismanagement at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear Stearns, and AIG? We didn’t.

Do you like the sound of a new $25 billion bailout for big auto companies? We don’t.

It’s time to say “enough is enough!” Sign our “No More Bailouts” petition to Congress and the President today.

Unless people like you speak out, there’s no end in sight to this abuse of taxpayer dollars. Act today!

Sign this petition and notify:
President George W. Bush
Your Congressperson
Your Senators

As a taxpaying American, I demand an end to the public bailouts of government-sponsored enterprises and private institutions.

America's economic success is largely due to our free-market system, in which risk is a fundamental element. Some businesses succeed tremendously, some fail spectacularly. But they should do so on their own, not with the backing of millions of reluctant citizens' paychecks.

If troubled institutions seek relief, they should restructure their businesses the way millions of families have had to restructure their budgets, rather than bellying up to Congress' trough.

Bailouts that keep mismanaged organizations afloat delay natural corrections to unsound business practices. In the long run, bailouts do not "rescue" anyone because they stall the adoption of necessary reforms that would prevent future repeats of bad choices.

Enough is enough. No more bailouts. Not with my tax dollars.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Tell your US Rep. and two US Senators NO to the 2008 Farm Bill

The National Taxpayers Union is asking us to send a letter to each our US Representative and two US Senators, asking them to uphold President Bush's veto of the 2008 Farm Bill.

Congress is poised to pass a five-year, $300 billion agricultural policy plan. Known simply as the Farm Bill, it includes provisions that deliberately aim to keep certain food prices (like sugar and dairy products) high. It allows millionaires to continue receiving subsidy handouts from the government, and it will also spend more money on fraud-ridden food welfare programs.

If we value efficient, fiscally-disciplined government, please send this letter (you can edit it if you wish). Or, you can reach your congressmembers through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Your representatives want to hear from you- tell them NO to the 2008 Farm Bill. Thank you

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Call your two US Senators and your US Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Fair Share Act

A new bill has been introduced in both houses of Congress, called the Fair Share Act (US House bill: H.R.5602) (US Senate bill: S.2775). It would prevent government contractors from using offshore tax havens to avoid paying taxes. We need to show Washington that, this tax season, Americans expect tax-dodging contractors to be held accountable for their tricks.

Call your two US Senators and US Representative; the Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121. They want to know what you think. Thanks

Monday, March 03, 2008

Video from US Rep. Murtha's pork crash!

Government Bytes blog has a wonderful video clip of the recent lobbyist dinner honoring US Rep. Murtha (D-PA) for his earmarks ways. You may remember that Murtha was annointed 2007 Porker of the Year by Citizens Against Government Waste's readers.

Taxpayers pay tribute to him with protests! Enjoy! Only one minute long..

Video from the PORK Crash!

Thursday, January 31, 2008

How each presidential candidate proposes to spend your taxes

NTU (National Taxpayers Union) has prepared a report on the spending proposals of each of the leading candidates for president. A data and graphical breakdown for each candidate is included.

Yes, there are many considerations for choosing your next president. This report on where more or less of your money will go starting next year may, however, be a major factor in your voting decision.

Friday, January 11, 2008

United States rating may lower in the next decade

Government Bytes blog from National Taxpayers Union reports the United States debt rating may be lowered in the next decade. This, from Moody's rating service, is because of the increasing burden on the federal budget from Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Currently, the U.S. rating for it's bonds is triple-A, the highest Moody's gives for bond issuers. If our rating does fall, interest rates on these investments will likely increase to cover the increased risk for bond purchasers.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Tell your U.S. Representative YES on state video tax fairness

NTU (National Taxpayers Union) is running an email campaign for fair taxation of state TV taxes. H.R. 3679, the State Video Tax Fairness Act, would end state governments' growing habit of taxing TV service at different rates according to the type of signal. If you agree and want to take action, just contact your U.S. Representative directly or go to this webpage. Here's what NTU says about this bill:

Dear _,
As you sit down to watch football games and holiday specials, you may not know that some states are starting to tax your TV service differently depending on how you receive the signal. You and your neighbor could be enjoying the same TV shows, but you could be paying more in taxes if you're using a satellite dish while they're subscribing to cable. Sounds ridiculous, but it has happened in six states so far. Legislation before Congress would stop these discriminatory taxes, but TV viewers and taxpayers need to round up support for the bill on Capitol Hill if we want it to pass. In the time it takes to watch a commercial, you can join us in telling Congress to stop unfair television taxes.
Act now!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Find out if the IRS owes you money!

The National Taxpayer Union (NTU) has an IRS Tax Refund Finder that allows you to check to see if you're owed a refund on your federal taxes. Try it, you might like it! :)

I've added this free resource to the "Other Government Databases" list in the left column.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Tell your U.S. Representative NO on national heritage area bill

Kristina Rasmussen of NTU has issued an alert on a U.S. House bill. I believe that now, more than ever, Washington must prioritize its spending on the large entitlements and defense parts of our critical federal budget. If you agree with this alert, contact your U.S. Representative today.

October 23, 2007
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National Taxpayers Union Vote Alert
NTU urges all Members to vote “NO” on H.R. 1483, which would unnecessarily extend the authorization of nine national heritage areas while creating six new areas. NTU testified against H.R. 1483 in committee, and we’re dismayed to see that the bill has grown in both cost and potential harm since introduction.According to promoters, national heritage areas were supposed to be finite, self-reliant programs. H.R. 1483 defies those notions. The bill would extend the authorization for nine existing areas (expected to sunset in 2012) for an additional 15 years (to 2027). Also, H.R. 1483 comes with a price tag of $135 million (up from a pre-committee total of $90 million). Members should keep in mind that this amount is equivalent to the annual federal income tax burden paid by 33,276 middle-class taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes between $30,000 and $75,000.In 1994, the late Representative Bruce Vento (D-MN) rose on the House floor in support of a heritage area bill and said: “There is a limit to the length of time or the amount of money the Federal Government can be in a heritage area. In 10 years, we are out of there. Then they are on their own. …” Congress should honor his pledge by rejecting H.R. 1483.Roll call votes on H.R. 1483 will be significantly weighted in our annual Rating of Congress.

NTU releases taxpayers ballot guide for 2007

The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has released their ballot guide for 2007. They’ve identified 29 measures in seven states that concern taxpayers. For example, Oregon’s Measure 50 would boost the state cigarette tax from the current $1.18 per pack to $2.025 per pack. Proceeds would be funneled toward health care for uninsured children and smoking prevention programs, but the impact of the tax on cross-border sales could result in lower-than-expected revenues. California, Idaho, and Nevada would levy significantly lower cigarette taxes.Another interesting one: Texas’ Proposition 11 would stipulate that each vote on the final passage of most bills must be recorded and made publicly available on the Internet for a minimum of two years.Check out the guide to see if your state has a taxpayer-related ballot measure.

Monday, September 17, 2007

President Bush signs Congressional pension reform bill!

The National Taxpayers Union, who led a grassroots activist campaign, announces victory.

Dear David,
Last year, we told you about how the more than 20 former Members of Congress who had been convicted of serious offenses were allowed to keep drawing benefits from a lavish, taxpayer-funded pension system.
It's bad enough that taxpayers have to cough up for a pension program whose payments are far more generous than what similarly-paid workers in the private sector typically receive, but we thought that handing this cash over to criminals was just wrong.
Thousands of taxpayers joined us in expressing outrage over this matter by sending "no pensions for Congressional felons" letters to their representatives in Washington, D.C.
Thanks to your demands for change, WE GOT IT!
Last week, President Bush signed a bill that contains a version of the "no pensions for Congressional felons" reform we sought.
From here on out, Members of Congress who commit certain felonies (like perjury, bribery, or fraud) related to their official duties won't be allowed to draw from a Congressional pension "honey-pot" that overtaxed American workers are forced to fill.
While the new law doesn't go quite as far as our request for automatically denying taxpayer-funded retirement benefits to a Representative or Senator convicted of any felony, during or after Congressional service, it is a MAJOR IMPROVEMENT to the current law that lets criminals like "Duke" Cunningham and Dan Rostenkowski collect cash from you and me.
Thank you for helping to change things for the better in Washington. You deserve a huge pat on the back!
With many thanks,
John Berthoud, President, National Taxpayers Union

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Monday, May 12, 2008

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Monday, March 03, 2008

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Friday, January 11, 2008

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Monday, September 17, 2007

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