TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
congress.jpg
Several members of Congress who promised not to raise taxes are now talking about since it turns out to be more like a leap from a certain fiscal cliff. (AP image)

Promises, Promises

BY Dave Ross  on November 26, 2012 @ 8:31 am (Updated: 8:49 am - 11/26/12 )

The trouble with making promises is that eventually, you find yourself tempted to break them.

And several members of Congress who got themselves into a same-sex tax marriage with Grover Norquist - the anti-tax lobbyist - are now flirting with breaking that vow, now that it turns out to be more like a suicide pact, requiring them to leap from a certain cliff.

And the first step to breaking a vow is to come up with noble reasons.

Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee talked of courage:

"This is a very easy thing to do technically. What it takes is political courage," he said.

Rep. Peter King of New York invoked Ronald Reagan:

"If Reagan and O'Neill could do it, Obama and Boehner can do it."

Sen. Saxby Chambliss pointed out that he signed the pledge a long time ago:

"Times have changed significantly and I care more about this country than I do about a 20-year-old pledge," Chambliss said.

Did I hear him include a little patriotism there? I think so:

"I care too much about my country. I care a lot more about it than I do Grover Norquist," he said.

Yeah! Who is this Grover Norquist anyway?

"Grover Norquist has no plan to pay this debt down. His plan says you continue to add to this debt," Chambliss said.

You know, he almost makes it sound like Grover Norquist kind of hates America.

Norquist himself is unruffled. The conservative tax crusader says most Republicans will stand firm, and President Obama will eventually have to extend the tax cuts as-is. We'll know in about five weeks.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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  • Lonestar wrote...
    Obama Claus won the election
    November 26, 2012 8:06 am
    Get over it. If you need a place to stay you can get a room at Country Club Sue del Benes' gazillion room mansion on Lake Washington.
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  • William Lawn wrote...
    "Country Club Sue del Benes' gazillion room mansion on Lake Washington"
    November 26, 2012 8:47 am
    Sounds like a little class envy there Lone.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Compromise - What a concept.
    November 26, 2012 8:16 am
    After the intoxication of the wrong kind of teak wears off, I am relieved that thinking Republicans are discovering what those of us who (actually were there) worked for the Reagan Revolution knew 30 years ago. ... There is no sin in honest compromise. ... And it is amazing what can be accomplished so long as you don't care who gets the credit.

    But, remember, it DOES take both sides to compromise. Mr. Obama may have won the past election, but he certainly has no mandate to ride rough shaugh over half the population. .. He just needs to tell himself that compromise is NOT 100% 'my way'.

    Peter King rightly states that "If Reagan and O'Neill could do it, Obama and Boehner can do it." The only fly in that ointment is that Tip and President Reagan were friends in the first place. ... AND trusted each other.

    Let's at least start with trust and perhaps the rest will follow.

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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    The solution must include:
    November 26, 2012 8:52 am
    1. New revenue. Start with the ridiculous loopholes. Including those that allow corporations like General Electric to pay $ZERO income tax in recent years.(Remember, corporations are now people?) The people who work for GE are typically paying, after deductions etc, something in the range of 15-20% of their incomes in federal income tax. Good for goose = good for gander.

    2. Huge spending cuts. My solution would be to get all of the department heads into a room and announce, "Your budget next year will be 70% of what it was this year. As managers, it will be your job to identify and institute efficiencies that will allow us to provide an adequate level of service at the reduced funding. If you can't or won't do it, we'll be happy to replace you with somebody who can and will."

    3. Entitlement reform. If we want to raise taxes on the "wealthy", who not include all of their wages in FICA deductions? As it is now, once a worker earns a reasonable income, (something just over $100k), their portion of the Social Security tax is waived. (The employer continues to pay the other 7.5%, and the self employed pay 15% without any income limit). To be fair, raise the amount that can eventually be collected from Social Security to offset the increased contributions from folks with above middle-class incomes.

    4. More entitlement reform: Increase the qualifying age for Medicare from 65 to 70. For future retirees, rapidly step up the qualifying age for "full" Social Security from 65 to 70. (Younger workers must already work to 66 or 67 to get full benefits).

    5. Citizens are entitled to access congress, but let's curtail that access and the absurd power of paid lobbyists. You shouldn't be allowed to claim you represent such-and-such an organization unless you are actually a *member*, not just a paid salesperson trying to influence legislation.

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  • mnpat wrote...
    Chuck, you have a good start....let's add a few things
    November 26, 2012 9:56 am
    1. Social Security should be means tested, incomes exceeding $150,000 should be exempt from benifits. Fica taxes would not be imposed on incomes over $150K as well. 2. Medicaid and medicare should be comperable to the VA services currently in use by our veterens, yes it is a single payer system. This would replace Obama Care. 3. I agree with age increase qualification for both Social Security and Medicare however I would like to see younger generations being able to opt our of social security as long as a individual retirement account is used. 4. I would like to see you amend your earlier coment about "dads who won't take responsibility" to parents who won't take responsibility. 5. I would like to see the educational system changed to year round educational programs allowing children to advance or seek remidial education during their off periods. 6. Finally I would like to see boarding schools used for children when parents who can either afford or care for children.
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  • TheSymbolForBoron wrote...
    Let's see... What should I do on this fine morning??
    November 26, 2012 9:48 am
    Why don't I log in to mynorthwest.com and, for the hundredth time (today), post just how miserable I am.

    People need to reevauate their lives at this point. Quite sad, really.

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  • Cbrew wrote...
    This could be the beginning of the return of the Republican Party in my eyes
    November 26, 2012 9:55 am
    I have had a hard time supporting any republicans over the last 5-6 years... A lot of it having to do with the polarization of the party, the extreme right rising to power in the Party and their unyielding, unrelenting, assault on the other side of the aisle many times in spite of the well-being of the Nation. I have felt for a long time the worst thing in this party is it's stupid steadfast support of Grover Norquist's pledge. Things like this put politics over Country... Leaders need to be able to put the betterment of society over their politics... signing a pledge that says you will not compromise under any circumstances is rediculous, it's un-American. You don't Pledge allegiance to your party, you Pledge Allegiance to the Flag! ... This hopefully sets a trend and hopefully it's one Republicans will follow going forward, it's time to ditch Norquist and look at what needs to be done to help this country. I pray these Republicans start to realize that it's not about changing everything you stand for, it's about being flexible enough to Govern in a society where half the people don't have the same ideas about how the country should be run, and that their job isn't to hold out and stomp out any progress in favor of only accepting legislation that is exactly what you want, rather it is to compromise and meet the other side half way... That is what's needed to move this country forward. Now move forward Repubs... Show this Nation you are more than a pledge to a guy that Americans did not vote for.
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  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    I promise you we will be going over the cliff with the Lame duck congress and Patty Murray
    November 26, 2012 10:44 am
    Not enough time , too many recalcitrant players.Obama will not allow changes to Obamacare even though it will constantly be challenged in court.Republican's will ask (demand) True change and the Democrats will seek the Status Quo (borrowing) and will continue to destroy the economy.
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  • mpgunner wrote...
    What will Obama do?
    November 26, 2012 4:34 pm
    To enhance job creation? Yet you suckers loved Obama's speeches. At least he is "hip". How does that help with competence?
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  • SeattleD wrote...
    Grover Norquist is a cult
    November 26, 2012 6:12 pm
    You are not allowed to leave him. He will come after you. If he can't drag you back to the compound he will kill KILL KILL YOUR NEXT CAMPAIGN...BWAAAHAAHAAHAA!!!
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    Grover Nordquist
    November 26, 2012 6:18 pm
    Is an anti- american who has hijacked the republican party. I hope the republican party actually toss this fool to the side and come to the table with a compromise and I hope the President and his fellow democrat leaders do the same and get something done and I don't want to see the ball get kicked down the road. GET'R DONE PLEASE.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    No party is hijacked unless it wants to be, AND..........
    November 27, 2012 6:32 am
    no party can escape except by revolt. I quite agree with sportsguy (and that's scarey). Nordquist perverted and changed the promise of the Reagan Revolution. And Jack Kemp preached empowerment, not exclusion.

    I do wonder though. Again. Cooperation and compromise needs BOTH sides. Neither should see agreement as a weakness to be exploited.

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