Grover Norquist Vs. The Constitution
By louisehartmann
Multimillionaire K-Street lobbyist, billionaire toady, and Republican anti-tax master Grover Norquist is losing his grip on power. Realizing their backs are against the wall with the so-called “fiscal cliff” looming, a number of Republicans have come forward in recent days to disavow Grover Norquist’s pledge to never raise taxes. Republican Senator Bob Corker appeared on CBS Sunday morning to say he is “not obligated” to obey Grover Norquist’s pledge. That echoes comments made by Senators Lindsey Graham and Saxby Chambliss over the weekend who both distanced themselves from the pledge saying they would break their pledge to Norquist for the good of the country.
This morning – Norquist himself went on TV in a desperate attempt to hold his Republican lackeys in line saying, “We've got some people discussing impure thoughts on national television.” Last time I checked – there’s only one pledge that our elected Representatives should be taking – and that’s the pledge to defend the Constitution against all its enemies, foreign and domestic.
Norquist's pledge - or any other pledge to deep-pocketed lobbyist that sacrifices the economic health of our nation to grow the bank accounts of the global elite - is nothing short of supporting enemies of the Constitution. But, since the Republican Party has been the Party of the 1% ever since the 1880s, don't expect too much change anytime soon.
Comments
#2
I want to know is:
(1) what these Congressional Representatives of the People received in exchange for signing the Norquist Pledge; and
(2) Whether their "pledge" to follow those principles violates their oath-of-office as a Representative of the People, and to their alegiance to the Constitution; and
(3) whether any impeachable or criminal activity occurred?
If the Norquist Pledge violates their primary Oath of Office, Charges of Impeachment must be brought immediately. Just because this is "politics" must not justify sweeping this under the rug. Does receiving monies or other consideration for violating their oath of office, increase or otherwise change responsibility?
I certainly would never consider something like this within my own professional career.
#3
Thom I expected much better from you!
Tax away the total assets of the 1%, how long would that run the Govt. at this level?
The CEO of G.E has been advising Pres. Obama on how to keep jobs in the U.S. while shipping jobs to China. All the while G.E. pays NO FED. TAX.
TAX REFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT HIGHER RATES!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop spending!
The above will not happen. The money is in the middle class and THEY will be taxed out of existance, but that will get the can kicked down the road for several years.
#4
Frankly I think the Norquist pledge is treason. Our representatives in both houses of congress owe their loyalty to the voters, not to an assinine lobbiest, of all people!
#5
I think it is SO fair and decent of Lindsey Graham to agree to raise taxes on the billionaires. Bloody well fair dinkum, Lindsey- you're one in a billion.
Yessir, one in a billion, that's what you are, Lindsey, old boy. I mean, how many politicians would agree to force billionaires to pay a little teensy, tiny bit of tax? And what does Lindsey want to give the billionaires in return for paying that miniscule tax? Why, he wants nothing at all.
Well, nothing other than all of the trillions of dollars that are now in and will be in the social security and medicaid funds. And of course he also wants to give the postal service's entire retirement fund to the billionaires.
I'm at a loss for words, Lindsey. I just don't know how to thank you.
No, wait- I DO know how to thank Lindset. I think he should be prosecuted for being a witch, put in a dunking stool, and then pilloried in front of Lincoln's statue in Washington DC. But no, that kind of punishment is so two centuries ago. I think Lindsey should be tarred and feathered, poked with sticks, and run out of America on a rail. No, that punishment is from the early part of the last century, and good ol' Lindsey is all about the America of today, so let's give give him a totally today kind of thank-you: I think he should be prosecuted for consistently breaching his duty to the American people and for constantly breaking his oath of office, because instead of protecting America from all enemies foreign AND domestic, he has himself become a terrorist bent on America's destruction. Which brings up the interesting possibility of Lindsey Graham being sent to Guantanimo and waterboarded for a few years. Hm... An idea whose time has come? I don't know, let's put it to a vote. We could ask Hugo Chavez and some ex-Guantanimo detainees to personally hire the people who program the voting machines, because then we'd know the votes would be tabulated properly and fairly.
#6
You are so right. Big government program spending is forever and politicians and tax rates are temporary. The left never wants to talk about spending. They expect the mighty federal reserve to print our way to prosperity. Little do they understand that inflation has been the demise of the middle class for the last 40 years. The federal reserve has allowed for bigger and bigger government and politicians have used the inflated money supply to buy entitlements for the dumned down masses.
#7
Will It Be The United States Constitution or Grover’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge? You are probably wondering what this “choice” is all about and just what this “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” is? The “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” is the brainchild of a Washington D.C. tax-exempt lobbying group called “Americans for Tax Reform” formed in 1985 at the “personal non-official” request of President Reagan. The principal proprietor of this tax-exempt lobbying organization is Grover Norquist. He and his associates lobby and coerce virtually all Congressional members to sign the “Grover Pledge”. The current results of Grover’s efforts are very impressive with 238 Representatives and 41 Senators signing or 52.1% of all Congressional representation, sadly, a majority. The core belief of “Americans for Tax Reform” is: “Americans for Tax Reform opposes all tax increases as a matter of principle. We believe in a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The government’s power to control one’s life derives from its power to tax. We believe that power should be minimized.” This all sounds pretty reasonable if you do not like or believe in paying taxes. You may even want your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to align themselves with the “Grover Taxpayer Pledge”. The actual “Grover’s Pledge” is presented below with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson used as the example, and yes, this is the same Senator Ron Johnson that vacated the U.S. Senate to protest, on the steps of the Supreme Court, to have “The Affordable Health Care Act” struck down as unconstitutional. “I Ron Johnson pledge to the taxpayers of the State of Wisconsin, and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.” Other Wisconsin U.S. Representatives that have signed the “Grover Pledge” include: Paul Ryan, Jim Sensenbrenner, Tom Petri, Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble. So far, this all seems relatively harmless for Wisconsin and the nation, until you consider the “Constitution of the United States” and the “Congressional Oath of Office”. The “Grover Pledge” then becomes a matter of very real concern, if not outright rage. Every elected official in the U.S. Congress takes the following “Oath of Office” with Senator Ron Johnson used as the example. “I, Ron Johnson, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” So what’s the problem? Well, it is the enduring Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which states, “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.” When our Representatives signed Grover Norquist’s “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” and actually comply with it, they are in direct violation of their “Oath of Office” to “support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic”. Here’s why: Based on a review of these matters, it is very clear, that Grover Norquist and his “Americans for Tax Reform” organization are essentially un-American and a borderline treasonous domestic enemy as they lobby and politically coerce our elected officials to swear an oath, a solemn pledge, to an irrelevant unelected tax curmudgeon named “Grover” and his tax-exempt lobbying group. Before we consider why our “Wisconsin Grover Pledgers” would commit such a diabolical act, let’s think about why this could be harmful or even devastating to the nation. -The first and most important reason is simply the ability of the Congress to meet the fundamental requirements of the Federal Government. This could include the enormous outlays for the preparation and mobilization for war. -It could also deprive the nation of funds to counter large national disasters like the “Banking Crisis” of 2007-2008. -It could inhibit, in a variety of other ways, the President and Congress from providing for the general welfare of the nation including: Our National Security, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Unemployment Insurance, Federal Courts, FEMA, Student Loans, Veterans Hospitals, USDA food inspections, The Post Office, Roads, Bridges, Railroads, Financial Oversight and Regulation, Insurance Regulation, Environmental Regulation, Indian Affairs, Air Traffic Control Systems, Federal Aviation Administration and a variety of other national responsibilities. -It could and indeed has affected the financial credit rating of the nation, when the obstinacy of the “Grover Pledgers” cost the United States it’s AAA credit status and ultimately will cost the nation more in interest expense on the national debt. While pledging “limiting or reducing taxes” is a legitimate political position, that pledge should and must be made as part of the election process to the respective electorate. It certainly cannot be made to some guy named “Grover” that operates a tax-exempt coercive lobbying group in Washington DC! The solemn political alignment, via a sworn oath with “Grover”, by our Wisconsin representatives; Ron Johnson Paul Ryan, Jim Sensenbrenner, Tom Petri, Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble, irrefutably demonstrates the inadequacy of their individual and collective thinking on our Constitution, our debt, our tax system and the Constitutional responsibility they swore an oath to as elected representatives. There can be no doubt, whatsoever, we as Wisconsin Citizens, are owed a public apology from all of our Wisconsin “Grover Pledge Signers”, if not their immediate resignation. We must demand, in the strongest terms possible, including possible direct legal action, that these “Grover Pledge Signers” rescind their so easily given oath and solemn pledge to “Grover’s Americans for Tax Reform”. We, the electorate, never authorized, via ballot or referendum, this utterly diabolical, treasonous and illegitimate act. We must also remember that all our “elected representatives” achieve less than a 30% endorsement from all eligible voters as our elections typically have an approximate 50% turnout of eligible voters. An election winner typically garners 48-58% of total votes cast. This result represents only 24-29% of all eligible voters, which certainly is not a popular mandate, even though many if not all elected officials act as if it were. Surely, the serious issues facing our nation dwarf “Grover” and his “unconstitutional, treasonous and un-American tax pledge”. This should serve as great motivation for all of us to get out and vote in every future election. Wisconsin citizens tire of our “Grover Pledge Signers” ceaseless evasion of their sworn national duty and responsibility. To all our Wisconsin “Grover Pledge Signers”, I would suggest: Please end your collective “Grover Derangement”! Get to work with your Democratic colleagues to provide Wisconsin and our nation with rational tax policy, sustainable expense reduction and fiscal policy. An honest bipartisan effort will move us to a long- term balanced budget by permitting us to compete globally, grow economically and create jobs. If you simply cannot gather the personal inner strength to do this, resignation is and always has been a viable and honorable alternative. And “Grover Pledge Signers”, always remember and never ever forget: • Ideas are debatable. • Character is not. • And you all work for all the People of Wisconsin, not some guy called “Grover”. Now gentlemen, get to work! NB: I apologize profusely to the real “Grover”, residing at 123 Sesame Street, New York, New York for any possible confusion, distraction, turmoil, shame, or mortification with the tax curmudgeon Grover Norquist and all the Wisconsin “Grover Pledge Signers” referenced above.
#8
The Grover Norquist pledge should be illegal.
#9
So are you saying that all of our economic woes are because of Democrats and those who support the philosophy of the Democratic Party?
Is Paul Ryan your poster child for a Ayn Rand society?
If history has taught us anything its that a"balance" must be maintained...Too far Left or Right will only cause "good ideas" to be washed away with greater problems.
When it comes to our countries social issues ALL of us suffer by one sided agendas. What we are faced with today is the result of diminished expectations; the bar has been lowered, a sense of entitlement from both the Left and Right, and the resistance by Left and Right extremist to stop pointing fingers like bratts on the play ground.
#10
The Teapublican scoundrels haven't budged an inch. I don't see how offering Romney's plan of capping deductions, "ONLY" if the Democrats agree to do entitlement reform is even a Norquist pledge violation. The super rich would easily find a way to get around the cap problem, otherwise Romney would never have suggested it. Entitlement reform amounts to raising the age to a point at which many will die before collecting a penny on a program they paid into for 40 plus years and at the same time turning the fund over to the crooks on Wall Street.
Until we the voters, in two years, rid the House of the teabag rats, expect continued mass obstruction with the media blaming the democrats. The situation is truly an abomination of democracy and the will of, "We the People."
We need to redirect the voting habits of hard working, under paid citizens, the ones unknowingly voting themselves into continued and worsening hardship. They need to know the republican agenda is about suppressing their freedoms in order to further the wealth and power of a few.
In my own experience talking with tea party members and other misinformed individuals the problem is clear, it's mainly FOX and related corp. media causing this miscarriage of democracy. So how do we reach these misinformed voters before the midterms? I say one by one, the fight is still full blown, we can't let up now.
#11
Wow. If Norquist is a multi-millionaire how come he lives in a row house on Capitol Hill worth less than a million dollars?
#12
What is a religion???????
A religion is a kind of organization. Nothing more.
It's purpose is to remain in existence. It has members and a hierarchical leadership in most cases. It's biggest claim to fame is that it considers itself the sole authority of morality. It is a powerful force because it controls our beliefs. Our behavior is a product of our beliefs. Change to outward behavior lasts for a short time. Change to beliefs means the person will act in every circumstance the way you want them to. Constantine certainly understood this.
Spirituality as you know is a totally different thing. Spirituality is not an organization.
Separate church & state......not Spirituality & state.
Your politics is your Spirituality - demonstrated.
#13
In my opinion these norquist pledgers are domestic enemies by definition and the funders and distributors of money, and legistation are domestic terrrorist!
The current oath was enacted in 1884:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Duties of the Congress:
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_duties_of_the_US_Congress#ixzz1jMhwJEe7
The following list of signers’ of the norquist pledge are in fact celebrating the breaking of the trust of the Oath of Office, and are domestic enemies by proxy. When in fact they are taking office “without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion”! This may seem okay; except that they have signed a pledge against doing the duties which are required of them. Take a look at the list and it tells you exactly why the Congress and Senate are broken and unable to reach any sensible solutions to our countries problems… it is all about money, big money dictating who, why, and what happens in this Nation.
#14
Yes yes yes, listening to the news is so weird today. Many of this blog see the obvious. Grover Norquist’s Pledge is an act of treason. It is an out right in your face breach of the oath to the Constitution. No way should anyone representative sign an agreement, let alone dozens of Republican’s such as this. Think about it in order to be installed as a Congressional person one must by oath with affirmation within the laws of our courts support methods to fund our government.
Allegiance not just to our flag but to the country’s wellbeing sense of security by funding the government for domestic tranquility, which is economic security too. It looks like for decades Republicans failed their very first simple requirement. Worse the Democrats watched them get away with it. A double worse in your face screw you John Doe public, the media just says oh that doesn’t mean anything. And this is just political stuff. Well Ladies and Gentlemen of America it sure is political, and its huge and ignored political corruption that one could characterize as severe Conservatism in an exceptional Country. Yes, where one percenters all come together in which a few enjoy the spoils and screw America.
The failure is in many institutions and professionals we Americans trusted and counted on to govern our nation. In a sense a very large sense one could characterize these elements of “not to raise taxes” as the same as not to pay taxes. For me the personal rage is on magnitude ten of the Richter scale and beyond, whatever it takes to open up the earth and send these people to hell.
Similarly, as Alan Mark Grayson representative Florida’s 9th congressional district once said with a twist; “Mother earth do it quickly” For me it is tiring to keep listening to these same corrupt Republicans that sending Americans into war profiteering and trillions of debt, besides being advocates of waterboarding another treasonous deed, now want to cut my Social Security. I totally agree with the Wahhabi that part of Conservatism should be wiped off the earth. Better yet send all those Republicans to Debi, they have up to date capitalism there. Let’s all pitch in to a retirement fund for Mitch Mcconnell giving him a little spot in the Canary Islands to count his money and watch over Romney’s. LOL.
#15
Taxing the so called rich is nothing but an emotional issue for the left. It will mean Butkus for the debt we have created. Obamacare spending will continue the irresponsible march to serfdom. At this point it will be painful entertainment to watch as an army of IRS agents descend on a once free people demanding proof of insurance. Thanks for giving us the chains of tyranny and Barack Obama.
#16
Wow! There is a row house on Capitol Hill worth less than a million? Is that the only real estate Grover owns?
#17
With regards to debt we need to move from arithmetic (adding and subtracting) to math (multiplying and dividing)Using math one can show how it is possible to reduce debt by increasing the deficit.one can show how a larger deficit can make debt smaller even without increased revenueHowever, it is important to point out that the increase in deficit needs to be used by the government for investmentThe magic of the math is that the investment increases GDP for a long time.We need math vice arithmetic because the debt that matters is the per cent of GDPWith this in mind then we can look at the ratio (division) of debt/GDP
A government investment will increase debt but it will increase GDP more thus reducing the debt that matters. Of course, with additional revenue this improvement is even greater.
History (including very recent history) has shown that the only way out of a federal debt problems is government investing (AKA as spending).Every government that cuts spending (AKA austerity) only makes the debt problem worse.
#18
Taxing the rich has always improved the economy.
Serfdom is always the result of redistributing wealth to the top.
#19
Cutting taxes on the rich always weakens the economy. Even the Kennedy/Johnson revenue neutral tax cuts of the 60's weakened the economy.
#20
Yes, that is what the answer is --- increase GDP. The most efficient and least influenced by cronyism is to leave the money in the hands of the American people. I trust the American people to invest and spend their money more wisely than big government. Hence, cut taxes for everybody. History has shown this to work. As GDP rises tax receipts increase. When you raise taxes it reduces GDP and total tax collections.
#21
What history would that be?
By the American people I presume you mean the oligarchy. IMO, the oligarchy will invest it better than the government, as long as, big government keeps them from putting the money in the Cayman islands etc.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
At Mondragon - both the mountain and the cooperative city - in Spain (written about in "Threshold" book)
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"In an age rife with media-inspired confusion and political cowardice, we yearn for a decent, caring, deeply human soul whose grasp of the problems confronting us provides a light by which we can make our way through the quagmire of lies, distortions, pandering, and hollow self-puffery that strips the American Dream of its promise. How lucky we are, then, to have access to the wit, wisdom, and willingness of Thom Hartmann, who shares with us here that very light, grown out of his own life experience."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Right through the worst of the Bush years and into the present, Thom Hartmann has been one of the very few voices constantly willing to tell the truth. Rank him up there with Jon Stewart, Bill Moyers, and Paul Krugman for having the sheer persistent courage of his convictions."
From Screwed:
"Once again, Thom Hartmann hits the bull’s eye with a much needed exposé of the so-called ‘free market.’ Anyone concerned about the future of our nation needs to read Screwed now."
On the other hand....check out what Robert Reich has to say about how the Obama White House is acting that seems to be supporting Republicans.
Why Is the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers Helping the Republicans?
By Robert Reich
Posted on Nov 26, 2012
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/why_is_the_white_houses_council_of_e...
and this...
CEO Council Demands Entitlement Program Cuts to Fix Deficit
By Tracy Bloom
Nov 26, 2012
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/ceo_council_demands_austerit...
Obama Rushed Rules for Drone Assassinations in Case Romney Won
By Peter Z. Scheer
Posted on Nov 25, 2012
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/obama_rushed_rules_for_drone...