JBS Action Alerts for the Week Ending 3/29/08 (2 alerts)

Dear Fellow Americans:

1. It's Time for Congress to Permanently Repeal the Estate Tax!

Since its inception in 1916, the estate tax, also known as the inheritance tax or the death tax, has made it very difficult for a large number of Americans to reach certain thresholds of wealth without having to limit the size of their companies, estates, or farms, in order to avoid the tax. In many cases, Americans have had to sell their hard-earned assets, in order to pay the onerous tax, which has sometimes seized more than half of one's assets at the time of death.

The practical impact of the estate tax has been to consolidate mid-sized, individually owned companies into huge corporate conglomerates. History has shown that most mid-sized companies simply cannot remain in business after the estate tax seizes half the company's capital.

Repeal of the estate tax would especially benefit family farms and small businesses, which are the backbone of the American economy. Fortunately, a bill has been introduced in Congress to permanently repeal the estate tax.

To take action on this issue click here: http://capwiz.com/jbs/issues/alert/?ale ... 81&type=CO.


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2. Support House Discharge Petition 110-3 for H.R. 2905, The Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007

H.R. 2905, The Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007, introduced June 28, 2007 by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), would prohibit the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) from reinstating the so-called Fairness Doctrine, a former FCC policy that the agency revoked in 1987. The policy required broadcasters to air contrasting viewpoints about controversial issues of public importance (as decided by FCC bureaucrats) or risk losing their license.

H.R. 2905 has been held up in the committee stage since its introduction. On October 17, 2007 Rep. Pence filed Discharge Petition No. 110-3 to force the release of H.R. 2905 from committee and allow an up or down vote by the House. To be successful a discharge petition requires the signatures of a majority of House members (21. The petition needs two dozen more signers.

Reinstatement of The Fairness Doctrine would repress the free speech of broadcasters and thus violate the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. We support legislation such as H.R. 2905 that would prevent the Fairness Doctrine policy from returning. Please urge your congressman to sign Discharge Petition No. 110-3 for H.R. 2905, the Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007.

To take action on this issue click here: http://capwiz.com/jbs/issues/alert/?ale ... 81&type=CO



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