Ernest Istook: “Taxes are too high. Federal taxes take over a fifth of America's entire economic output--more than ever before in…”

“Taxes are too high. Federal taxes take over a fifth of America's entire economic output--more than ever before in history, and many Americans pay half of their income in combined Federal, State, and local taxes. And some people will do anything to throw up roadblocks and detours in our trip to fiscal responsibility. They don't want to make the journey toward a balanced budget in the first place. They like joyriding instead, and sending the bill to taxpayers. They want to spend, spend, spend, without regard for how much it costs or how much debt we build. When confronted with the debt, they always do the same thing: Raise taxes, and pat themselves on the back for 'making the tough decisions!' Mr. Speaker, the joyride is over. This time we move toward a balanced budget, and we can't bill taxpayers for the trip. Big government got us where we are. So big government can foot the travel costs to get us back to fiscal sanity. Cutting spending is the way to reach a balanced budget. But the joyriders won't stop looking for a free ride from taxpayers, and that's why we need the Barton tax limitation amendment. No more detours. No more tax increases. Let's pay our own way to a balanced budget. Support the Barton amendment.”