McCain and Taxes

Many interest groups are involved with the reform of tax laws. I researched many of these groups like the Citizens for Tax Justice, Americans for Tax Reform, the National Tax Limitation Committee, FreedomWorks, and Taxpayers for Common Sense. These groups support a variety of liberal and conservative issues varying from fair taxes for middle and low-income families to less financial tax burdens placed on new industry.

McCain was rated 100 percent in 2007-2008 for his support of the National Tax Limitation Committee’s agenda and 85 percent in 2005-2006. The NTLC has notable success in influencing legislative procedures. A majority of their funding is allocated to lobbyists for state and federal representatives. Below is a summary of NTLC from votesmart.org:
"NTLC'S mission is to create a political and economic environment in which you--the individual, productive citizen--can enjoy the opportunity to excel, maximize your choices and enjoy the fruits of your labors free from an intrusive, coercive government."

In essence NTLC wants limited barriers for new businesses which McCain had supported.

The Americans for Tax Reform gave a similar rating to Senator McCain; a grade of 70. The ATR seems to be a more radical group that opposes all tax increases across the board. It is understandable why they would support McCain but their description on votesmart.com could be easily misunderstood, “ATR believes in a system in which taxes are simpler, fairer, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The government’s power to control one’s life derives from its power to tax.”. After reading these few lines one might thing fairer, flatter taxes could actually be a democratic supported issue but is not the case. Overall ATR calls for less regulation and minimal government intervention and taxation.

Freedom Works's who, fights for lower taxes, less government and more economic freedom for all Americans, gave Senator McCain a rating of 80 in 2008 an 83 in 2006 and an75 in 2005. Freedom Works’s combines its powerful staff entrepreneurs and lobbyists with thousands of volunteer activists conducting intense nationwide grassroots movements. Similarly, The National Taxpayers Union seeks to reduce government spending, cut taxes, and protect the rights of taxpayers and in 2006 rated Senator McCain an 88%.

A more primarily based grassroots movement seeking to educate, inform, frame, and advocate greater citizen voice in tax reform is the Citizens for Tax and Justice established in 1979. CTJ is a 501 c4 interest research and advocacy organization with major influence in the north east. CTJ fights for; ”Fair taxes for middle and low-income families, Requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share, Closing corporate tax loopholes, Adequately funding important government services, Reducing the federal debt, and Taxation that minimizes distortion of economic markets" and removing frivolous government spending in the hopes of a more efficient government. Far out of reach goals like these caused McCain to only receive a rating of 50 percent from the CTJ in 2006. McCain’s voting record to support multiple tax increases could be to blame for this rating.