[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EVERY YEAR IS THE SAME; TAX TAKERS ASK FOR MORE AND MORE FROM TAXPAYERS

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, as our country becomes increasingly 
divided between taxpayers and tax takers, the taxpayers are starting to 
stand up and tell their Representatives in Washington that America will 
no longer be the land of opportunity if the current trend continues.
  Just this month, USA Today had on page 1 a chart showing the rising 
tax burden on the taxpayers. And the most interesting thing about the 
chart was that the tax burden has been rising steadily year after year 
for all families. It is rising for families with one income; it is 
rising for families with two incomes.
  Funny how those who claim it is harder and harder for middle-class 
families to get ahead never seem to mention that one of the biggest 
reasons might be the rising tax burden. Funny how they never tire in 
opposing tax cuts on the grounds of fairness, and they never seem to 
consider the fairness towards the people who pay the taxes that Uncle 
Sam takes, between one-quarter and one-third of a middle-class family's 
income.
  Every year it is the same old thing, tax takers ask for more and more 
from taxpayers, and every year the taxpayers sacrifice a little more 
freedom and find a little less opportunity in return.

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