Common Ground-USA:
Our Platform:
We believe that those who use the Commons - that is the air, water, public lands, minerals and other gifts of nature, electromagnetic spectrum, etc. - should pay the public for the right to do so. There are several ways that those exploiting the public Commons can be charged for the privilege of doing so. Land Value Taxation, in which property tax assessments
emphasize the tax on land, and reduce the tax on improvements. from under the ground should be charged a royalty fee for the minerals extracted. Those using the public airwaves for transmitting radio, television, or other signals should be charged for the privilege of using this public resource. Other forms of subsidy and privilege should be eliminated. Eventually the revenues generated from pollution taxes and fees on the use of the public Commons would be enough to eliminate the tax on earned income, on sales, on added value, and on imports. Common Ground-USA: How we work to achieve our goals:
* We inform ourselves and the public as to how these concepts and practices apply to current social, economic, and political issues through our publication GroundSwell, published six times a year.
* Several times a year the organization prepares a Letter Lobby kit of materials on upcoming legislation affecting our concerns. Background information and details on the proposed legislation are made available for members to use in contacting their elected representatives.
* We network with allied groups and organizations to obtain favorable legislation (or defeat unfavorable legislation) and to influence political candidates and parties.
* We lobby legislatures, public officials and interest groups through visits, letters, background papers, and other means of communication.
* We educate the public and elected representatives by means of letters to the editor.
* We spotlight giveaways and flagrant waste of public resources by government.
* We present testimony at public hearings and participate in conferences throughout the United States.
* We maintain a web site with relevant information about our issues of concern, and with past copies of our GroundSwell publication.
