Tax Pledges around the world

After President Reagan's Tax Reform Act of 1986 was passed, many taxpayers feared that some politicians would raise income tax rates. With President Reagan's support and endorsement, Americans for Tax Reform and a broad-based coalition of groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and hundreds of taxpayer groups throughout the nation began to ask all candidates for public office to "take the pledge." The US National Pledge reads:

I,_____, pledge to the taxpayers of the _____ district of the State of _____ and to the American People that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.

Every year, all members of Congress are asked to take the pledge by Americans for Tax Reform, and all challengers are asked to take the pledge during each election cycle. As of year 2005 (109th Congress), 222 members of the House of Representatives and 46 members of the Senate and President George W. Bush have taken the pledge.

I, _____, leader of the _____ Party of Ontario, promise, if my party is elected as the next government, that I will: Not raise taxes or implement any new taxes without the explicit consent of Ontaroio voters; and Not run deficits. I promise to abide by the taxpayer Protection Pledge and Balanced Budget Act.

Having signed the Promise, Dalton McGuinty was elected Premier of Ontario, but he went on to break both promises. In his May 2004 budget, Premier McGuinty increased taxes, imposed new taxes, and increased the budget deficit. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation are now organising a petition campaign against the Premier for letting down taxpayers.