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Dear Friend,

Did you know you contributed to the $6.5 billion the federal government spent to create 14 million new classified documents this year - more than any year in at least a decade?

Or that you forked over part of the $100 million in federal contract extensions to scandal-ridden MCI, even after that company was banned from receiving new and renewed contracts?

Or that you helped fund three government audits-all three of which came up perfectly clean-of the same charity in a single year, for no apparent reason other than the fact that the charity opposes an abstinence-only strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention and health education?

I believe Americans should contribute to government, and that includes paying taxes. I just don't think we should be paying for excessive secrecy, or rewarding corporate criminals, or subsidizing harassment.

OMB Watch plays a leadership role on these types of issues in our effort to promote a more open and accountable government. That's why I'm asking you for your support through a generous donation. Your gift will help to make OMB Watch a stronger organization, able to respond quickly and efficiently to the many crises we are likely to face in 2005.

OMB Watch has been fighting for more than two decades to improve regulatory policy, advance public access to information, promote nonprofit policy advocacy, and increase federal investment in social needs. In the best of times, we've made significant new strides in those areas. But it is during the toughest periods - such as today - that OMB Watch has shown its true value.

We all know what is in store for us. The ballooning deficit, the economic war on the middle class, massive spending cuts, attempts to privatize Social Security, the degradation of environmental, workplace, civil rights and other protections, and a continuation of policies that promote secrecy over disclosure.

At the same time, we have seen a recent surge in retaliatory actions targeting groups who speak out against these types of policies. I find that most morally objectionable. Freedom of expression is among the most cherished of democratic principles - the foundation of our strong civil society. Since the earliest years of this country, nonprofits have been encouraged to speak out on public policies. But today, with targeted audits and other tactics, an unhealthy chill is in the air.

OMB Watch will do everything in our power to put this country back on the right track, to fight for sensible national priorities and to protect the speech of nonprofits.

But we need your help. Nothing we accomplish would be possible without the role you play as a network partner, and I want you to know how personally grateful I am for all you do.

Now I'm asking you as an advocate and interested friend to make a personal contribution. You can make a secure tax-deductible contribution to OMB Watch by clicking here. Or by sending a check to OMB Watch, 1742 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009.

If you get this email at work, also see whether your organization can contribute or "subscribe" to OMB Watch. For more on how to do this, contact Dorothy Weiss, our director of strategic development, at ombwatch@ombwatch.org or 202-234-8494.

Yours truly,

Gary D. Bass Executive Director

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