October 2, 2008
An Open Letter to the United States House of Representatives:
27 Groups Urge You to Oppose the $700 Billion Bailout!
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the millions of citizens and taxpayers represented by our organizations, we strongly urge you to vote against the financial industry bailout package that will soon be before you.
This unconscionable scheme forces the vast majority of taxpayers who were honest and prudent to bail out firms that made bad business decisions. Furthermore, it does nothing to address the root causes of today's market difficulties. The long-term effects of this fiasco, including inflation, a weaker dollar, and an even more precarious federal balance sheet, are almost certain to outweigh the shallow short-term stabilization of moneyed interests who have been twisting arms on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Some in Congress have apparently decided to listen to a few political heavy-hitters in the financial community about the need to shovel boatloads of taxpayer money into their faltering businesses, rather than listening to their constituents who oppose this giveaway almost unanimously. The legislation before you has made nips and tucks to the Treasury's original proposal that ultimately cannot conceal its fundamental flaws.
Congress helped to create this debacle with the Community Reinvestment Act, poor tax policies, hastily designed mark-to-market regulations, and spectacular negligence with regard to the systemic risks posed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Instead of comprehensively addressing those core problems, this disgraceful plan snatches $700 billion from the pockets of hard-working Americans who largely had no part in this horrific play.
It would be naive to suggest there are no problems that need rectifying in today's financial markets. However, it is equally naive to think that elected officials and bureaucrats can solve those problems if only we write them a large enough check. There are pro-growth, free-market solutions to our challenges that would not put taxpayers on the hook. Congress would have been wise to pursue them instead of the short-sighted scheme that has been handed down to you. We urge you to vote against this bailout.
Sincerely,
Duane Parde
National Taxpayers Union
Ryan Ellis
American Shareholders Association
Dr. Jane Orient
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
John Tate
Campaign for Liberty
Sandra Fabry
Center for Fiscal Accountability
Andrew F. Quinlan
Center for Freedom and Prosperity
Doug Bandow
Citizen Outreach Project
Matthew J. Brouillette
Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives (PA)
Nic Lott
Congress of Racial Equality (MS Chapter)
Michael B. Illions and Richard Ross
Conservatives with Attitude!
Thomas Schatz
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
John Hallman
Florida Taxpayers Union
Matt Kibbe
FreedomWorks
Richard Falknor
Maryland Center-Right Coalition
Howie Morgan
Mississippi Forward
Jim Gilchrist
Minuteman Project
Thomas Martz
Missouri Liberty Coalition
James Landrith
The Multiracial Activist
Jerry Cantrell
New Jersey Taxpayers Association
William Westmiller
Republican Liberty Caucus
John Hawkins
Right Wing News
Lori Klein
Taxpayer Protection Alliance (AZ)
John K. Roberts
Taxpayers Union of Louisiana
Ben Cunningham
Tennessee Tax Revolt
Dane von Breichenruchardt
U.S. Bill of Rights Foundation
Rose Bogaert
Wayne County Taxpayers Association (MI)
Jeff Frazee
Young Americans for Liberty