“Global Issues Affecting U.S. Taxpayers to an Increasing Degree,” Schatz says

(Washington, D.C.) – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today reported on the progress being made at an international conference of taxpayer groups.  CAGW Vice President David Williams is participating in The Resource Bank of Europe, which kicked off yesterday in Borovets, Bulgaria.  Modeled after The Heritage Foundation’s annual event in America, this resource bank is bringing together activists to share ideas and strategy.

“People from across the world have descended on this sleepy little town known more for its ski slopes than political activism,” Williams reported.  “But cultural differences have quickly been overcome by participants united in a common cause of fighting government waste and higher taxes.  Our interests are further interwoven by international trade and the health of the global economy.”

Williams will be making it a priority to alert his colleagues about the implications of the European Commission’s decision in the Microsoft antitrust case, particularly the cost to European taxpayers.  CAGW tracked the antitrust case in the U.S. and monitored its $35 million cost to taxpayers.  In March, CAGW criticized the European Commission’s draconian sanctions imposed on Microsoft.  CAGW called the decision forcing Microsoft to give up many of its intellectual property rights “a dangerous setback to global economic growth.  Companies will have no motivation for designing new products if they have to share their information with competitors or face strict penalties.”  The case affects the U.S. because 95 percent of the world's computers use Microsoft's Windows operating system.  By forcing American companies to alter their products depending on where they are sold in the world or the whims of unelected bureaucrats, international trade could be severely hampered.

“As developing countries become more affluent, it is important that they protect and nurture the forces that drive economic growth, especially intellectual property,”  CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “This greatly benefits the global economy and American workers.  ‘Creeping socialism’ has replaced Soviet communism as the biggest threat to the free market and individual freedom.  Taxpayer groups are an essential bulwark against the tax-and-spend regulatory state that suffocates private enterprise and traps nations in cradle-to-the-grave social programs.”   

Even in some advanced nations like Great Britain, the emergence of so-called “think tanks” and like-minded groups devoted to protecting the interests of taxpayers is a relatively new phenomenon.  In contrast, CAGW is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year, and has saved taxpayers $758.7 billion through the implementation of hundreds of cost-saving recommendations.  Over the past six years, CAGW has become a catalyst for groups outside the U.S.   

“One speaker best summed up this meeting by saying that while we may not come up with big ideas that will change the world, the psychological effect of knowing that there are like-minded people around the world is substantial,” Williams concluded.  “CAGW is here to help these groups by sharing our experiences and establishing a long-term relationship to help protect taxpayers in all countries.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse in government.