Pledge for the Taxpayers

A little while ago, I sent out this note to all of the Assembly Republicans:

Dear Fellow Republicans,

As you all are painfully aware, the budget season is upon us.  To date the Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee have been unsuccessful in stopping the massive spending and tax increases that Governor Doyle wants to foist on the overburdened taxpayers of Wisconsin. 

The taxpayers have a single hope, and that is the Assembly Republicans.  It is with each of you that the responsibility for protecting the taxpayers rests.  At Convention a week ago, Speaker Huebsch said, “we will stand in the way of Jim Doyle and his tax increases, you can count on that.” Well, we are counting on it.  Indeed, we are insisting on it. 

I am asking each of you to pledge that you will not vote for a budget that includes any tax increases or any fee increases that aren’t directly related to the cost of delivering the service. If this leads to no budget being passed any time soon, then so be it.  The Republican Party should be proud to be the party that obstructs tax and fee increases - especially on people who are already overburdened by the cost of their government. 

I intend to publish the names of each one of you who will pledge to oppose any budget that increases our taxes and fees.  The grassroots of the Republican Party, including myself, and the vast majority of taxpayers will stand in unity with those of you who stand up for us. 

Please reply to this email if the taxpayers of Wisconsin can count on you to be their advocate in the State Capitol.

I look forward to sharing your response with my readers.

A Humble Taxpayer,

Owen B. Robinson
http://www.bootsandsabers.com

My effort is not to call out those Republicans who would vote for tax increases.  That will come in due course.  My effort is to let good Republicans know that if they are willing to stand up for us, we will stand up for them. 

As I receive affirmative responses, I will be posting them.  I encourage all of you to make every effort to support those who are willing to support us. 

1. Owen my dear,It’s all well and good to ask legislators to swear to no tax increases. But at the same time, legislators (and we) must be asked what programs they (and we) are willing to eliminate or shrink. That’s the dilemma - many of us continue to want this program or that program (at least, every program has its advocates) - and without cutting back on services provided by the state, we get into smoke and mirrors budgets when revenues aren’t increased accordingly.I agree, we’ve got to decrease our tax burdens at all levels. But that also means we must also decrease the services provided by our governments.

   Posted by Jo Egelhoff on May 19, 2007 at 1641 hrs




2. I agree.  Look for my column next week.

   Posted by Owen on May 19, 2007 at 1652 hrs




3. I sent a very similar missive to both my rep (Pridemore) and Huebsch....  Pridemore is already committed.  Huebsch… well, cue the crickets… I am not encouraged.

   Posted by on May 20, 2007 at 2200 hrs




4. The crickets for Huebsch will have to wait...they are currently singing for RINO Sue Jeskewitz.

   Posted by on May 21, 2007 at 1028 hrs




5. Oh goody.  A mindless tax pledge.  Thanks so much for making it harder for the GOPpers to get any form of a budget passed.  When the Democrats are in the majority in the Assembly, I’ll argue we owe you a basket of fruit.

   To the bathtub with Grover Norquist and Owen!

   Posted by on May 23, 2007 at 1517 hrs




6. Thanks Owen. Unfortunately your no-tax ‘challenge’ comes just after the 2006 election. The electorate, we’ve learned, has a short memory. I congratulate Frank Lasee and John Nygren for taking the pledge. They border my 6th Assembly district. I ran and lost to Gary Tauchen. Gary, I saved my campaign signs. We may be just outside the reach of Sykes and Belling, but sign on and do the job you said you would. Thanks again, Owen. Warmest regards to all the ‘right thinking folks. Sincerely, JP Drengler, Shawano.

   Posted by on May 23, 2007 at 1559 hrs




7. Creative—I’m totally stealing the pledge idea ...

   Posted by Geoff Ludt on May 23, 2007 at 1753 hrs