E-Freedom Declaration signed by McCain

Pledges to Fight Internet Taxes

NASHUA – Today, Senator John McCain signed the e-Freedom declaration in which he pledged to support making permanent the current ban on Internet taxation.

See Senator John McCain sign the declaration on CSE TV.

New Hampshire Citizens for a Sound Economy (NH CSE) was on hand to present the declaration to Sen. McCain. New Hampshire CSE Director Rich Killion said, “Senator McCain has shown great leadership on this issue. He knows that taxing the Internet will cripple innovation in our high-tech economy. We applaud Senator McCain’s efforts to make permanent the ban on Internet taxes.”

CSE Director of Technology and Communications Technology, Erick Gustafson, joined in praising Sen. McCain’s commitment to a tax-free Internet.

“Government bureaucrats are locking consumers into yesterday’s technologies with stone-age regulations,” Gustafson said. “Consumers pay between 20 and 40 percent in taxes on communications services – levels that are similar to alcohol and tobacco tax rates. We can give consumers the full benefits of high technology by removing obsolete government barriers to competition and innovation. To do that, we must protect the Internet from taxation.”

During the presidential primary races, CSE activists in New Hampshire and Iowa have worked to show the candidates that banning Internet taxes is an important issue to voters nationwide. To date, the following candidates have signed the e-Freedom declaration: Mr. Gary Bauer, Mr. Steve Forbes, Senator Orrin Hatch and Senator John McCain.

Citizens for a Sound Economy is one of 26 members of the e-Freedom Coalition. The e-Freedom Coalition consists of taxpayer groups, think tanks, and other organizations working together to ensure that individual liberty and freedom are protected online. For more information about the e-Freedom coalition, please visit www.e-freedom.org.

The following is a copy of the e-Freedom Declaration.

e-FREEDOM DECLARATION

Whereas, the Internet is creating jobs, economic growth, prosperity and new opportunities for all Americans, and

Whereas, taxation of Internet sales, Internet access and telecommunications services inhibits growth and slows the spread of Internet access across America;

Therefore, I _____________, hereby declare that, if elected to the office of ___________, I will support making permanent the current ban on Internet access, sales or use taxes, and will work to reduce and ultimately eliminate discriminatory taxation of communication services.

Citizens for a Sound Economy is one of 26 members of the e-Freedom Coalition. The e-Freedom Coalition consists of taxpayer groups, think tanks, and other organizations working together to ensure that individual liberty and freedom are protected online.