Iremember back during the Tennessee state income tax battles elected officials and potential elected officials were asked to sign a “No New Taxes” pledge. Many signed but many others made excuses about how there may be some state emergency and they might have to consider a temporary fix to alleviate the blah, blah, blah. One state senator even tried to censure other state senators who signed the pledge, claiming the act of signing ran counter to the state constitution. That guy’s now been convicted of taking bribes.
Here we are heading into the presidential primaries and the same group, Americans for Tax Reform, is asking each presidential candidate to sign the pledge. Of course, you can forget any of the Democrats signing something like that. All we hear from them is how they’re going to raise taxes and do all these wonderful things for the people who don’t pay any. But you would think all the Republicans would be on board with the pledge, right? I mean, that’s all they brag about is holding the line on taxes and how tax cuts in the past have stimulated the economy. Looks like it would be a no-brainer.
Apparently, it’s a bit more difficult for some than for others. Three Republican candidates have refused to sign the pledge: Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Fred Thompson.
Rudy maintains he already has a record to stand on. “You take one pledge as president of the United States. It’s to uphold the Constitution of the United States. The rest of it is a statement of intentions.”
Blah, blah, blah.
“If someone refuses to sign the pledge because they intend to increase taxes?that is their prerogative,” said Louisiana governor-elect Bobby Jindal. “If you do not plan to increase taxes, then you will have no problem signing this pledge.”
Exactly. It’s not that difficult to understand. If you truly believe lowering taxes and keeping them low stimulates the economy then put that in writing. Of course, this is not a binding contract but it’s a way to formally and undeniably put you on record as one who opposes tax increases.
“Fred Thompson’s record of cutting taxes and pushing for reform speaks for itself,” a Thompson spokesman said. “This is the approach he will take as president. He is bound by that principle and does not make a practice of signing pledges.”
That all sounds good but there’s nothing like putting your pen where your mouth is.
A McCain spokesman told CNBC McCain “has never voted for increasing taxes in a way that is detrimental to the U.S. economy. He understands that marginal tax rates are important for entrepreneurs and that low capital gains and dividends tax rates are important for savers and investors.”
Did you catch that? He’s never voted for increasing taxes in a way that is detrimental to the U.S. economy. Now, that all depends on what detrimental means.
Look, it’s very simple. If you’re not signing the pledge it’s because, in the back of your mind, you foresee a situation where you might have to raise taxes. Don’t get me wrong. I understand that taxes are necessary. What we’re talking about is an underlying understanding that taxes are already too high and the government spends too much. The only way to curb runaway spending is to not feed the beast any more than we already are. This is a fundamental conservative principle.
If you have a record of fiscal responsibility, I applaud you but that doesn’t ensure future fiscal responsibility. Sign the pledge.
Millions tune in to Phil Valentine’s radio talk show every day. His show can be heard locally from 4 to 8 p.m. on 99.7 FM.
