Thompson Supports GOP “Pledge to America” Proposal

Washington, D.C.—“I traveled more than 4000 miles throughout the 17 counties of the Fifth Congressional District during the month of August.  I listened to my friends and neighbors about their concerns with the direction of the government, soaring unemployment rates, a government takeover of healthcare, and the overwhelming debt for the country,” said U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard.  “Republicans have been paying attention and the Pledge to America is a culmination of something Washington had long forgotten: how to listen to the American people. These ideas have come from the ground up, through comments on the websites: America Speaking Out and YouCut.”

The document, A Pledge to America, can be read online at www.pledge.GOP.gov.

“The Pledge to America is a grassroots blueprint that originated with the people. While the majority party may not want to support our efforts, we have already put these ideas forth during weekly votes and will continue to do so,” said Thompson.

The Pledge includes a plan to jump start the economy by ending the cloud of uncertainty that has fallen over the country.  “It is time this Congress promotes policies that will assist in job creation. The Pledge to America includes an appropriate quote from John F. Kennedy:  ‘An economy constrained by high tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance the budget, just as it will never create enough jobs.’  That is why we favor extending the Bush tax cuts for everyone while the economy remains in distress.”

Thompson continued, “We will give small businesses tax deductions, rein in the red tape that hampers job creation, and repeal small business mandates such as the 1099 reporting requirement in the health care bill, which requires all small businesses to fill out an IRS form every time they spend $600 or more.”

The Pledge includes a promise to stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size of government. Here is a line taken from the Pledge:  “Within three years, our government will spend more than $1 billion a day just to pay the interest on our debt.  That money won’t build roads, fight terrorism, secure our borders, or support Medicare for seniors.  It is simply the cost of Congress’ failure to control spending.”

“We will cut government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels and establish a hard cap on new discretionary spending, American families have tightened their belts during these hard times, the government should do the same.” Thompson explained.

Thompson has co-sponsored a measure to repeal the new health care law and replace it with solutions to bring down costs.

The Pledge offers a commitment to national and border security and will implement Congressional reforms such as requiring that there be three days to read a bill before it is voted on.

“Since coming to Washington, I have advocated for real transparency and accountability and I believe the Pledge to America will hold us to these goals and will get America back on track,” added Thompson.