Republican Leadership To Break “No Tax Pledge”
In a post-meeting press opportunity this morning, Congressional leadership made it clear that both tax increases and spending cuts are on the table. After having met together at the White House, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) stated that we need “investment cuts” (spending cuts), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) admitted that we need “revenue” as part of the solution. These are the positions they have both fought against, but now seem to accept.
Many members of the Congress have signed a “no tax pledge” that is pushed by Grover Norquist. He has been firm in the past that he will utilize Americans for Tax Reform and his own resources to fight against any office holders who break their pledge.
Only the coming weeks and months will show how much power Norquist truly has, and whether he can flex his muscles with those who signed his pledge.
Of course, if he does threaten his signatories in to submission, then we have a fiscal cliff that seems to have no other mutually agreed upon solution other than “some cuts and some revenue.”
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Revenue isn’t always tax increases. Example: cutting deductions and closing loopholes are considered revenue and the GOP and conservative supporters are not against that.
According to Grover Norquist, that would be breaking the pledge.
I voted for my congressional rep and one of my senators (both Republicans.) I did not vote for Grover Norquist. Compromise is an art in legislation. Both sides have been lacking this key requisite in leading our nation. “My way or the highway” has led us to the fiscal cliff, and real people will be hurt when their jobs are cut and their retirement savings are decimated.
Many think Norquist’s pledge doesn’t equate eliminating loopholes and deductions to a “tax increase.” It does. He will likely fight against anyone who tries to “raise taxes” in his eyes. If you like your Rep and Senator, simply be prepared to support them and help give them a backbone.
So, as always, the Dems will get their tax hikes – and ‘promise’ cuts that never come. And if the GOP stands their ground – Obama will figure out a way to go around them… and when the whole thing crashes and burns – it’ll be ‘those obstructionist GOP’ that did it! Lose/lose!
What if they decided to pull an Obama/the whole GOP – BOTH Houses – just folded their arms and voted ‘present’? Who would the wanna-be dictator scapegoat then?
Same comment I made in reply to Tom… With no power in the Senate, a President with no reason to work with the Republicans (other than perhaps his legacy) and a Republican Party that just got walloped, it’s hard to see how the GOP can stand firm. Any attempt to do so will push us over the “fiscal cliff,” and the Republicans will be blamed.
I have to ask our GOP “leaders” what conservative principle do we cave on next? What do we sell out on and capitulate to progressives next?
With no power in the Senate, a President with no reason to work with the Republicans (other than perhaps his legacy) and a Republican Party that just got walloped, it’s hard to see how the GOP can stand firm. Any attempt to do so will push us over the “fiscal cliff,” and the Republicans will be blamed.
The best way for the government to obtain revenue is to grow the economy thru carefully crafted legislation which lowers the hurdles which business have to clear to do business and attracting foreign investment. This requires keeping corporate tax rates low relative to global tax rates, reducing the redundant paper work and opening markets to upstart businesses by lowering the requirements for bidding on Federal projects.