Join in the stimulus fight! It's not too late!

Obama & Co. are rushing to "do something" about the economy by pushing a government "stimulus bill" that would spend hundreds of billions of our tax dollars. They're singing the same old "big government is here to help" tune. Yet more government is likely to hurt -- not help -- our economy. After all, taxpayers will be stuck with the tab for this new spending, either now (through higher taxes) or later on (through higher debt).

If the 2008 financial industry bailout proved anything, it's that rushing to "do something" is irresponsible. Haste makes waste, and there's enough of that in government as it is.

A sampling of new expenses in the Senate spending bill includes $1 billion for Amtrak (which hasn't turned a profit in 40 years), $696 million for constructing and outfitting the Department of Homeland Security's headquarters, and $650 million for digital TV conversion coupons. This isn't the "stimulus" that our economy needs. It's more pork and more debt.

It's up to taxpaying Americans like you to tell the Senate: "quit digging us into a fiscal hole!"

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Vote NO on the "Stimulus" Spending Spree

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I strongly urge you to oppose the wasteful government spending spree, otherwise known as the "stimulus" package.

I know temptation to "do something" about the current economic situation may be strong, but last year's financial bailout once again showed us that rushing in with tax money is irresponsible. Haste makes waste.

I'm counting on you to not give away hundreds of billions of dollars for projects with questionable economic impact. The "stimulus" plan is turning into a giveaway for states, cities, and other politically-connected special interests, and my friends and family shouldn't be forced to finance any lobbyist's wish list.

A bigger government is likely to hurt -- not help -- our economy. After all, taxpayers will be stuck with the tab for new spending, either sooner (through more taxes) or later on (through more debt our children will pay). Vote NO.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 06, 2009


Background Information

NTU worked hard during the fall of 2008 to stop a $50 billion "stimulus" package. We were outraged that the House's legislative scheme gave priority to projects that "can award contracts based on bids within 120 days of enactment." In other cases, it favored "those activities that are labor intensive." Speed and make-work shouldn't be the primary drivers of how taxpayer dollars are spent. Thankfully, enough Senators agreed with us to defeat the plan.

Taxpayers are now facing a spending spree of a far greater magnitude. President Barack Obama, along with Congressional Democrats, want to bail out state governments and dump money into questionable infrastructure projects with the hope that the economy will somehow respond.

But keep in mind that bloated government budgets don't make economies soar. They certainly didn't work here in the 1970s, the last time Washington tried spending its way out of a slump. It hasn't worked in Japan either, where they've poured huge sums into public works projects over past decades, helping to boost their national debt level to 150 percent of Gross Domestic Product -- the highest in the industrialized world. Japanese citizens are still waiting for the boom.

The reason for these failures is simple -- pumping money into the inefficient public sector means taking it out of the private sector through taxes or borrowing, which can reduce or stall growth overall.

Many state and city governments, some of whom are experiencing deficits of their own making, are also looking for a bailout via a "stimulus" bill. On the whole, state outlays have grown 124 percent over where they were 10 years ago, and debt has increased by 95 percent. Clearly, some states and localities allowed themselves to be caught up in the borrow-and-spend mania. Now that the economy has soured, they want Uncle Sugar to finance their habits. This just isn't fair to taxpayers.

The better way to jump-start the economy and keep it going is through tax relief. How about locking into place the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts that are set to expire after 2010? If families can count on current tax rates, many will be more comfortable investing today instead of fearing the tax man's bigger bite in 2011. Or what about allowing full and immediate expensing for small businesses? This would encourage firms to invest in the assets such as equipment and real estate that could help expand and invigorate operations.

Pro-growth tax policy can best lay the groundwork for a sustainable economic expansion -- one that will provide the solid foundation for tomorrow's tax revenues.