Firstly, it is run by Grover Norquist who is and was an ally of Newt Gingrich, the quintessential Big Government Republican.
Secondly, any organization that gives Ron Paul an 85% and an 82% rating is suspect. It seems as though their rating system is skewed towards a conservative interpretation of "less government".
"I, _______________, pledge to the taxpayers of the _____ district
of the state of__________, and to the American people that I will:
ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax
rates for individuals and/or businesses; and
TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and
credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."
No mention of spending which is the true measure of taxation. And no mention of the monetary system which is another form of taxation.
For the cherry on top, here is an answer from the FAQ's.
"A cut in tax rates is always allowed under the pledge. Americans for Tax Reform strongly supports reducing the capital gains tax rate. All tax rate reductions that increase revenue due to economic growth are allowable under the pledge and are greatly desired."
So the goal of tax policy could be to increase revenues!!
__________________
Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it
Learned Hand
In the past men created witches: now they create mental patients.
Thomas Szasz
Relinquish liberty for the purposes of defense in an emergency?
Why? It would seem that in an emergency, of all times, one needs
his greatest strength. So if liberty is strength and slavery is weakness,
liberty is a necessity rather than a luxury, and we can ill afford
to be without it—least of all during an emergency.
Firstly, it is run by Grover Norquist who is and was an ally of Newt Gingrich, the quintessential Big Government Republican.
Secondly, any organization that gives Ron Paul an 85% and an 82% rating is suspect. It seems as though their rating system is skewed towards a conservative interpretation of "less government".
http://atr.org/userfiles/110Congress_1stSession_Ratings.pdf
http://atr.org/userfiles/2006-housevotes.pdf
Lastly, the pledge itself is a joke.
"I, _______________, pledge to the taxpayers of the _____ district
of the state of__________, and to the American people that I will:
ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax
rates for individuals and/or businesses; and
TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and
credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."
No mention of spending which is the true measure of taxation. And no mention of the monetary system which is another form of taxation.
For the cherry on top, here is an answer from the FAQ's.
"A cut in tax rates is always allowed under the pledge. Americans for Tax Reform strongly supports reducing the capital gains tax rate. All tax rate reductions that increase revenue due to economic growth are allowable under the pledge and are greatly desired."
So the goal of tax policy could be to increase revenues!!
Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it
Learned Hand
In the past men created witches: now they create mental patients.
Thomas Szasz
Relinquish liberty for the purposes of defense in an emergency?
Why? It would seem that in an emergency, of all times, one needs
his greatest strength. So if liberty is strength and slavery is weakness,
liberty is a necessity rather than a luxury, and we can ill afford
to be without it—least of all during an emergency.
F.A. Harper