Jones Denounces The Cost Of Government

Third District Congressman Walter B. Jones yesterday called attention to July 11, the Cost of Government Day (COGD) for 2003. The day is significant because the average American works 193 days - from January 1 to July 11 - to pay for the cost of government. In a disturbing trend, Americans worked four and half days longer than last year to pay for government. The result is that taxes and regulations claim a higher portion of the incomes of Eastern North Carolinians, leaving less for savings, investment and living expenses. These statistics were featured in a report that was released today by the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), on of the leading taxpayer organizations in the United States. Their report also found: Americans now work 193 days to pay the costs of government, including 87 days to pay for their federal government, and 43 days to pay state and local government. Americans work 63 days to pay the costs of federal, state and local regulations that make production more expensive for entrepreneurs and prices higher for consumers. "It's a shame that Eastern North Carolinians spend over half the year working to pay for a bloated government and more red tape," said Congressman Jones. "This report underlines the need for my colleagues in Congress to join me in taking a stand against the expansion of the federal government so that all Americans don't end up working full-time for the IRS." For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Jones contact Lanier Swann at (202) 225-3415 or via email at lanier.swann@mail.house.gov.