The Taxpayer Protection Pledge, sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform, is the best way for candidates to show their commitment to taxpayers

WASHINGTON - While some of the tax burden has been alleviated by the Bush administration, taxes are still an important domestic policy issue in America today. Future tax increases will not only be detrimental to the individual taxpayer, but will be the same for the American economy. "Taxes are already too high, swallowing 19% of GDP or 32 % of average family income," said Damon Ansell, who is Vice President for Policy at ATR in Washington. That being said, it is important to know which candidates have committed themselves to protecting taxpayers.

The Taxpayer Protection Pledge, states that candidates, "will oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." The Pledge was sent to candidates in every district and the following candidates, who recently won their respective primaries, have signed:

Grover Norquist, taxpayer advocate who heads Americans for Tax Reform, said, "Signing this pledge is a demonstration of common sense. A candidate\'s refusal to sign the Pledge demonstrates a willingness to raise taxes. Candidates who sign should be commended for making a principled commitment to opposing future tax increases.

Grover Norquist established ATR in 1985 to generate popular support for President Reagan\'s Tax Reform Act of 1986, which radically simplified the nation\'s tax code. The group evolved to become one of the most influential advocacy groups in Washington, opposing all tax increases at the federal, state and local levels as a matter of principle. ATR supports a tax structure where taxes are simpler, fairer, flatter, more visible and lower than they are today.