A huge majority of Republican legislators along with a small minority of Democratic legislators have signed a pledge to Grover Norquist that they will not raise taxes under any circumstances.
On the surface, to the average voter this sounds appealing. We all prefer to keep our taxes low. However, our taxes are what provides the social safety net that more and more of us are having to rely on for survival as jobs are exported to other countries, foreclosures are increasing and unusual weather conditions are creating crises for farmers, and families who have been hit hard by flooding and hurricanes in the last few years.
Taxes fund mental health clinics, medicaid, defense, the highway system, education, research, and many other things that effect our daily lives.
Currently the taxes on the top 2% are lower than they have ever been and the super rich want to keep it that way. With a majority of legislators reporting the Grover Norquist they will succeed.
Its easy to check whether or not your Congress people, Governor, and even local leaders have signed the Grover Norquist pledge. Just google Grover Norquist or Americans for Prosperity.
If your leaders have signed this pledge you might want to support their opponents in the November election.
In my district, Illinois 16, we have a grass roots candidate who in her own words"Is not for sale." We have been told she has no chance to be elected but we are working to prove the politicians wrong.
Working people have a hard time getting accurate information about candidates because they do not have time to read and research candidates but also because the media is filled with misleading statements made by wealthy candidates attacking each other. Its easy to be swayed by pledges of "No new taxes."
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