It’s Tax Day. Do You Know Where Your Tax Dollars Are?

The answer to that question may not be what you want to hear.  There was $95 billion in waste and duplication.  Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) released two reports, Department of Everything, which highlights waste at the Pentagon, and the Wastebook 2012, which highlights waste throughout the federal government.  In conjunction with Our Generation (OG), the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) released a video showing Washington, D.C., tourists giving their thoughts on wasteful government spending.  As examples of wasteful spending, TPA and OG highlighted the $1.5 million for Pentagon beef jerky and the $325,000 the National Science Foundation (NSF) spent on a RoboSquirrels program.  Both of these projects were highlighted in reports by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).  According to Sen. Coburn’s report, Department of Everything, “Beef jerky so good it will shock and awe your taste buds. That is the goal of an ongoing Pentagon project, which is attempting to develop its own brand of jerky treats that are the bomb! Only, the money is coming from a program specially created to equip soldiers with the weapons they need.”  Sen. Coburn highlighted the $325,000 for the NSF RoboSquirrels in his Wastebook 2012.  TPA and OG spoke to visitors from California to Ohio to Texas to New Jersey and the frustration was always the same.  When they were asked for thoughts on members of Congress making $174,000 per year ($285,000 with benefits), people were dumbfounded.  They wondered why our elected officials made so much and received so much time off for vacation when American families across the nation—their constituents—are struggling financially.

Below is the full press release:

Tax Day Means More Frustration For Taxpayers

ALEXANDRIA, VA – In conjunction with Our Generation (OG), the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) today released a video showing Washington, D.C., tourists giving their thoughts on wasteful government spending.

“Taxpayers are frustrated with Washington’s wasteful ways and April 15 (Tax Day) reminds taxpayers just how much money they send to the federal government.” said David Williams, President of The Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

As examples of wasteful spending, TPA and OG highlighted the $1.5 million for Pentagon beef jerky and the $325,000 the National Science Foundation (NSF) spent on a RoboSquirrels program.  Both of these projects were highlighted in reports by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).

According to Sen. Coburn’s report, Department of Everything, “Beef jerky so good it will shock and awe your taste buds. That is the goal of an ongoing Pentagon project, which is attempting to develop its own brand of jerky treats that are the bomb! Only, the money is coming from a program specially created to equip soldiers with the weapons they need.”

Sen. Coburn highlighted the $325,000 for the NSF RoboSquirrels in his Wastebook 2012.

TPA and OG spoke to visitors from California to Ohio to Texas to New Jersey and the frustration was always the same.  When they were asked for thoughts on members of Congress making $174,000 per year ($285,000 with benefits), people were dumbfounded.  They wondered why our elected officials made so much and received so much time off for vacation when American families across the nation—their constituents—are struggling financially.

“Washington is dysfunctional and expensive and people around the country want real results from their elected officials,” concluded Williams.

To view the video, click here.

About Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy. For more information, please visitwww.protectingtaxpayers.org.