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Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) is an nonpartisan federal budget watchdog organization based in Washington, D.C. in the United States. TCS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; its 501(c)(4) affiliate is Taxpayers for Common Sense Action (TCS Action). The current president of TCS is Ryan Alexander. Founded in 1995 by Jill Lancelot and Rafael DeGennaro, TCS works to ensure that the federal government spends taxpayer money efficiently and responsibly.

TCS is best known as a leader in tracking, analyzing, and publicizing Congressional earmarks. TCS creates complete databases of the earmarks that appear in Congressional spending bills. TCS is credited with labeling the Gravina Island Bridge proposal in Ketchikan, Alaska as the "Bridge to Nowhere."^[1] TCS has been on the forefront of fiscal policy and is well-known on Capitol Hill and in the news media as a government watchdog.

Taxpayers Mission

Taxpayers for Common Sense is a non-partisan budget watchdog serving as an independent voice for American taxpayers. Our mission is to achieve a government that spends taxpayer dollars responsibly and operates within its means. We work with individuals, policymakers, and the media to increase transparency, expose and eliminate wasteful and corrupt subsidies, earmarks, and corporate welfare, and hold decision makers accountable.

Our Work

TCS is fiercely non-partisan and steadfastly devoted to the idea that fiscal responsibility and government accountability are issues that cut across political divides. Government waste has always existed, but the increasing stream of campaign contributions, devalued role of fiscal accountability on Capitol Hill, and rampant partisanship in the past two decades spurred an exponential growth of earmarking and improvident spending.

We pursue our mission by: eliminating wasteful and harmful programs and subsidies; increasing government transparency and accountability related to the federal budget and appropriations process; and developing and promoting solutions to prevent irresponsible subsidies.

We work with Congress.
TCS works extensively with elected officials from both political parties. TCS positions are often cited during floor debates and TCS testifies frequently before congressional committees. TCS’s 501(c)(4) affiliate organization, TCS Action, helps hold congress accountable through lobbying and other activities.

We sound the alarm in the media.
TCS has discussed government waste on national TV shows such as The NBC Today Show, CNN Crossfire, ABC's It's Your Money, NBC Fleecing of America and been featured in major newspapers and magazines including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The Economist, and Smart Money.

We assist grassroots partners.
TCS helps grassroots citizen groups fighting boondoggles in their communities. We help get them media coverage and serve as their jungle guide in the halls of power in Washington, D.C.

We engage the public.
Through our research, website, and public outreach, we educate the public on government waste and provide opportunities for individuals to make their voices heard in Washington.

Taxpayers Principles

Taxpayers for Common Sense's 10 common sense principles on government waste:

1. If it doesn't work, don't fund it.
2. Eliminate redundant expenditures.
3. Stop helping those who don't need help.
4. Get a fair price for taxpayer assets or government services.
5. Don't encourage irresponsibility.
6. Don't burden future generations with unfair or hidden debts.
7. Level the playing field and use the power of the market.
8. Eliminate unnecessary federal involvement.
9. Everyone should pay their fair share.
10. Fund projects based on their merits and only after open review.

Earmark Database

TCS Reports

Taxpayers for Common Sense Links

Donate to Taxpayers for Common Sense

TCS needs you to help us fight government waste!

More About TCS

References

^ William Safire (October 8, 2006). "Bridge to Nowhere". New York Times.

[Safire-1] William Safire (October 8, 2006). "Bridge to Nowhere". New York Times.

[1]

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 TCS is best known as a leader in tracking, analyzing, and publicizing Congressional [[Earmark (politics)|earmarks]].  TCS creates complete databases of the earmarks that appear in [[United States Congress|Congressional]] spending bills.  TCS is credited with labeling the [[Gravina Island Bridge]] proposal in [[Ketchikan, Alaska]] as the "Bridge to Nowhere."<ref name="Safire">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08wwln_safire.html?ei=5070&en=f20ee30ccdba3b33&ex=1188619200&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1188504097-MmdkUN6Oz4er0JO7R7V1uQ |title= Bridge to Nowhere |author=[[William Safire]] |work=[[New York Times]] |date= October 8, 2006}}</ref>  TCS has been on the forefront of [[fiscal policy]] and is well-known on [[Capitol Hill]] and in the news media as a government [[watchdog]].
-== References ==
+== Taxpayers Mission ==
+Taxpayers for Common Sense is a non-partisan budget watchdog serving as an independent voice for American taxpayers. Our mission is to achieve a government that spends taxpayer dollars responsibly and operates within its means. We work with individuals, policymakers, and the media to increase transparency, expose and eliminate wasteful and corrupt subsidies, earmarks, and corporate welfare, and hold decision makers accountable.
-{{reflist}}
-== External links ==
+== Our Work ==
+TCS is fiercely non-partisan and steadfastly devoted to the idea that fiscal responsibility and government accountability are issues that cut across political divides. Government waste has always existed, but the increasing stream of campaign contributions, devalued role of fiscal accountability on Capitol Hill, and rampant partisanship in the past two decades spurred an exponential growth of earmarking and improvident spending.<br />
+<br />
+'''<big>We pursue our mission by:</big>''' eliminating wasteful and harmful programs and subsidies; increasing government transparency and accountability related to the federal budget and appropriations process; and developing and promoting solutions to prevent irresponsible subsidies.<br />
+<br />
+'''<big>We work with Congress.</big>''' <br />
+TCS works extensively with elected officials from both political parties. TCS positions are often cited during floor debates and TCS testifies frequently before congressional committees. TCS’s 501(c)(4) affiliate organization, TCS Action, helps hold congress accountable through lobbying and other activities.<br />
+<br />
+'''<big>We sound the alarm in the media.</big>''' <br />
+TCS has discussed government waste on national TV shows such as The NBC Today Show, CNN Crossfire, ABC's It's Your Money, NBC Fleecing of America and been featured in major newspapers and magazines including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The Economist, and Smart Money.<br />
+<br />
+'''<big>We assist grassroots partners.</big>'''<br />
+TCS helps grassroots citizen groups fighting boondoggles in their communities. We help get them media coverage and serve as their jungle guide in the halls of power in Washington, D.C.<br />
+<br />
+'''<big>We engage the public.</big>''' <br />
+Through our research, website, and public outreach, we educate the public on government waste and provide opportunities for individuals to make their voices heard in Washington. <br />
+<br />
+<br />
+== Taxpayers Principles ==
+Taxpayers for Common Sense's 10 common sense principles on government waste:<br />
+<br />
+. If it doesn't work, don't fund it.<br />
+. Eliminate redundant expenditures.<br />
+. Stop helping those who don't need help.<br />
+. Get a fair price for taxpayer assets or government services.<br />
+. Don't encourage irresponsibility.<br />
+. Don't burden future generations with unfair or hidden debts.<br />
+. Level the playing field and use the power of the market.<br />
+. Eliminate unnecessary federal involvement.<br />
+. Everyone should pay their fair share.<br />
+. Fund projects based on their merits and only after open review.<br />
+<br />
+== Earmark Database ==
+*[http://taxpayer.net/earmarks.php TCS Earmark Database]
+*[http://www.taxpayer.net/search_by_tag.php?action=view&proj_id=3193&tag=earmarks&type=Project Earmark FAQ]
+== TCS Reports ==
+*[http://www.taxpayer.net/projects.php?action=view&category=&type=Project&proj_id=3636 Green Scissors 2010 Report]
+*[http://www.taxpayer.net/search_by_category.php?action=view&proj_id=3570&category=National%20Security&type=Project Sustainable Defense Task Force Report]
+== Taxpayers for Common Sense Links ==
 *[http://www.taxpayer.net Taxpayers for Common Sense website]
+*[http://twitter.com/taxpayers TCS Twitter Page]
-*[http://www.taxpayer.net/earmarks.php Complete List of FY08 Congressional Earmarks]
-*[http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07272007/watch.html Bill Moyers Journal]
+*[http://www.facebook.com/taxpayers TCS Facebook Page]
+*[http://www.youtube.com/taxpayers TCS Youtube Page]
+*[http://www.linkedin.com/companies/56920 TCS LinkedIn Page]
+== Donate to Taxpayers for Common Sense ==
+*[http://www.taxpayer.net/15years TCS needs you to help us fight government waste!]
+== More About TCS ==
+*[http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/search-results.php?keywords=%22Taxpayers+for+Common+Sense%22 C-SPAN Video Archive - Taxpayers for Common Sense in Action on The Hill]
+*[http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07272007/watch.html PBS - Bill Moyers Journal]
+== References ==
+{{reflist}}
 [[Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States]]