eContract 2000
Whereas, the high-tech revolution has permanently changed the way we live, the way we work, and the way we learn, providing Americans with more freedom, prosperity, and flexibility;
Whereas, the fast-paced innovations of technology have increased productivity throughout the economy;
Whereas, High Tech America continues to be the engine of our economic prosperity, creating new jobs and new opportunities for all Americans;
Whereas, Internet access must expand into urban, rural, and suburban communities, as new technologies create new Digital Opportunities for more Americans;
Whereas, the global high-tech revolution has been derived from private sector creativity, innovation, and competition rather than government direction;
Whereas, consumer confidence in the privacy and security of the Internet is essential;
Whereas, excessive government intervention - through taxes and regulations - threatens future growth and prosperity of this nation;
We hereby pledge to continue our legislative and oversight efforts to remove the barriers to future innovation, competition, and growth. We assert that freedom is the answer, not government intervention. The benefits of the high-tech future can be best delivered to all Americans by:
Reducing Taxation, Regulation, and Litigation
· Pursuing tax relief that stimulates continued economic growth.
· Preventing frivolous lawsuits that stifle growth.
· Reining in excessive regulation from federal agencies.
Promoting Free Trade and E-Commerce
· Enhancing America's leadership in the global marketplace.
· Expanding Digital Opportunities for more Americans.
· Removing barriers to E-Commerce.
· Allowing high speed Internet access to flourish.
· Protecting intellectual property rights.
Building a Prosperous High-Tech future
· Modernizing our education system to reflect the needs of the new economy.
· Ensuring the availability of a well-trained and skilled workforce.
· Promoting workplace flexibility in employee compensation and telecommuting.
· Promoting basic research and development.
Remarks by House Majority Leader Dick Armey
On Launching the 'e-Contract'
We're all here united today behind the common belief that a cutting edge society needs a cutting edge agenda.
Yesterday's USA Today headline story said it all: high-tech America has accounted for a full one-third of our economic growth since 1995. 37 million people use the Internet on a daily basis. In fact, every second 7 people use the Internet for the first time. 55 million Americans shop online. And last year, 20 percent of the stock market's growth came from technology stocks.
Technology has improved all of our lives by giving us new conveniences that we couldn't have imagined just a short time ago.
For example, my wife Susan and I email our children in Texas. I can check in with Susan on my mobile phone. I even have a picture of my grandson as the wallpaper on my computer in my office. Take a second to look around this very room today and you see laptop computers, mobile phones and pagers that now even have email.
Who could have imagined that we would make airline reservations online. Do medical research on the Internet. And use palm-sized computers that are more powerful than the large machines that once took up entire floors of space.
We've come a long way. But there is so much more left to discover. That's why we are all here today.
We're here to tell you that we believe a cutting edge society needs a cutting edge agenda. We had the Contract With America to address a broad range of concerns. And we think we need a Contract that specifically addresses the concerns of high-tech America.
That's why we are proposing the e-Contract, to ensure that high-tech America has the freedom it needs to innovate, grow, expand and imagine. The real high-tech heroes in Congress are the members you see here today. They do the tough, day-to-day work on high-tech issues in this Congress.
They are in the trenches, every day, fighting to keep big government from encroaching on the creative people who are driving this wonderful, booming economy. They know these issues in and out and they deserve the credit for preserving high-tech America's freedom to be innovative and creative. Our goal with the e-Contract is to frame the debate around a very simple question -- do you want more government or more innovation?
We choose innovation. More choices. Better products. Faster service. So what exactly is the e-Contract? It is a rallying cry to keep high tech America free. Specifically, we pledge to work on legislative and oversight agendas that will spur innovation and creativity by:
· Pursuing tax cuts that promote investment, research, and development.
· Modernizing our education system to ensure that we have a quality work force.
· Ensuring Year 2000 readiness.
· Preventing frivolous lawsuits that stifle growth.
· Enhancing America's global market strength & protecting national security.
· Removing barriers to e-Commerce.
· Moving government into the Digital Age.
· Reigning in excessive regulation from federal agencies.
· Allowing high speed Internet access to continue to flourish.
· Protecting intellectual property rights.
We are pledging today to continue to work on all of these concepts.
In keeping with the spirit of this high-tech event, I want to now post this e-Contract on the Internet to give every American access to what we stand for.
I just posted the e-Contract on the web at www.freedom.gov. I urge all Americans to visit this web site and to visit the web sites of each of the members here today to learn more about our efforts on high-tech issues.
As for high-tech America, keep up the good work and we'll try to stay out of your way.