Is taxpayer protection pledge a gimmick?

• Author: Brunori, David
• Position: Letters - Letter to the Editor

Editor:

I am a long time reader of State Legislatures and a fan of both the magazine and its publisher. I was surprised to see the full page ad for the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in the June 2004 issue. The Americans for Tax Reform have been trying to convince political leaders to take the "pledge" never to support a tax increase for any reason--even if it is in the state's or their constituents' best interest.

I wonder how many of your readers think that the pledge is a political gimmick? It is a gimmick because the pledge does not work.

Eventually, political leaders realize that their constituents demand good schools, pothole-free roads, safe streets and someone to answer the phone when you dial 911.

Every high school social studies student knows these services cost money and that sometimes you must raise taxes to insure their provision. It is almost comical to watch what happens when those who have taken the pledge actually support...