Senate Candidate Signs Pledge, Won\’t Raise Taxes
WASHINGTON -Elizabeth Dole sent the taxpayers of North Carolina a clear message on January 22, 2002, by promising to "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and businesses; and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." All candidates running in North Carolina were sent the pledge and Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is pleased that Dole took the pledge, and by doing so, demonstrated her commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Grover Norquist, President of ATR, praised Dole\’s decision saying, "North Carolina should be pleased by the fact that they have a candidate who demonstrates fiscal common sense. Candidates who sign the pledge, in essence, sign a contract with all taxpayers stating: you can keep more of what you have earned." Dole further reassured taxpayers saying, "As a member of the United States Senate, my voice will be loud and clear fighting for tax relief for families. We need to ensure that our workers are keeping more of their hard earned money for use here at home instead of sending it to Washington." Dole also renewed her previous call for the Senate to pass the President\’s Economic Stimulus package and restated her opposition to Ted Kennedy\’s tax plan.
"On average, over 40% of every dollar earned in this country is taken in taxes by the government. This year, the taxpayers of North Carolina will work into late spring simply paying off their debt to national, state, and local governments. By signing the tax pledge, Dole is pledging to help solve the problems our country faces without further burdening American taxpayers," said Damon Ansell, Vice President of ATR.
"Signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge displays common sense that exists far too seldom among our legislators, those whom taxpayers trust to defend our best interests," said Ansell. "Elizabeth Dole has vowed to defend taxpayers\’ interests; One must worry about candidates who don\’t sign the pledge because these candidates have not made the same commitment to taxpayers," added Norquist.
Elizabeth Dole shares her commitment to defend taxpayers with over 1300 state legislators, 211 Members of Congress, 37 Senators, and President George W. Bush. ATR asks all candidates for state and federal office to sign the pledge