Issue Position: Taxes

Issue Position

It is estimated that the average family pays almost 40 percent of their income in local, state and federal taxes today. In a family with two working parents, one parent works to pay the government. This is completely unacceptable.

Throughout my time in public service, I have been a strong advocate for reducing the tax burden on all Americans. In light of the current economic situation, our economy needs a government that controls its spending the way its citizens do during difficult times, and a tax system that lowers tax rates to encourage working, saving, investing, and growth. Massive new government spending is not the solution to our problems; it only makes our problems worse. The solution will consist of a rational mix of tax relief, regulatory reform and responsible spending.

In April 2009, many Idahoans came together across the state to take part in "Tea Parties" to demonstrate dissatisfaction with excessive taxes and federal spending. Their actions symbolized the famous Boston Tea Party in 1773, when colonists expressed exasperation with the British Parliament's sovereignty over the colonies. Similarly, in 1997, I joined four of my colleagues from the U.S. House of Representatives to toss the U.S. Tax Code in to the Boston Harbor.

My concerns over our nation's tax structure have not waned. You deserve to know how and why Congress spends your money, and I will continue to work for limited government that behaves in a fiscally responsible way with your tax dollars.

Several national fiscal organizations have recognized my efforts and voting record on tax policy issues and have recognized me with awards including Hero of the Taxpayer, awarded by the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), the Tax Fighter Award, awarded by the National Tax Limitation Committee, and the Golden Bulldog Award, awarded by the Watchogs of the Treasury.

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