Joe Barton: “Well, I have engaged in a number of debates, and most of the opponents are opposed to this for the very reason that it…”

“Well, I have engaged in a number of debates, and most of the opponents are opposed to this for the very reason that it would work. They say quite emphatically that it would make it very difficult to raise taxes, therefore they are opposed to it. And I say exactly, that is the point. Let us make it more difficult than it is today. I think that in an economy that is generating $7 trillion worth of goods and services with almost 300 million Americans, with over 80 million Americans working, paying a tax burden, if you combine State and local taxes it is approaching 40 percent of their gross income, that there should be a national consensus. There should be Republicans and Democrats who say we have to have a supermajority vote to raise taxes. I would like to point out again that the group that most represents the State legislatures on a bipartisan basis, the American Legislative Council, has endorsed a tax limitation amendment. I am not going to read that letter again because I did earlier, but I think that is proof positive that this is not a gimmick, it is not a Republican election year ploy, it is common sense, good public policy.”