Romney or Super Grover

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by whell

Wow. I thought Limbaugh was the leader of the Republican party. Now its Norquiist? I'm so confused.

Anyone who, on their own, can exact a pledge from elected Republican politicians which runs counter to the wishes of the people they were elected to serve, whether they be a "leader" or not, exerts far too much influence on the Party.

Question 1: with all the money that flows through Washington, and you've all stated that politicians in DC are bought and paid for (particularly those dastardly Republicans), what does Norquist use as leverage to maintain politician's fidelity to "The Pledge"?

Norquist is a lobbyist. Whom is he lobbing for?

Oh, and just so we have our facts straight, here's the language from "The Pledge":

"ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and

TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."

So, its not necessarily an opposition to all taxes. It is a pledge not to increase the tax burden on individuals or businesses."

Nobody is saying the pledge is to eliminate taxes, though the Republicans certainly seem to be working in that direction - at least for the top 1%. After all, isn't it Norquist who vowed to shrink government to a size where it could be "drown in the bathtub"? How do you "shrink" government? Why, by denying it the operating capital it needs, of course!

Question 2: is this to say that the Republicans have been corrupted not by money, nor by a person, but by an idea (no new taxes unless paid for)?

How do you "pay for" a tax? Taxes are the principle mechanism for governments raising the money to pay for things.

Oh, I see! You pay for them by cutting the programs that the tax revenues were designed to fund! Brilliant!

John