By Jonathan Karl, Richard Coolidge, Gregory Lemos & Sherisse Pham
Top conservative says read my lips: Don’t sign ‘no new tax’ pledge
Spinners and Winners
As a conservative Republican, Lindsey Graham has never had a problem promising not to raise taxes. Like almost every other Republican member of Congress, he has signed the anti-tax pledge put forth by Grover Norquist's group Americans for Tax Reform.
But now Graham says the debt crisis is so severe that the tax pledge — which says no tax loopholes can be eliminated unless every dollar raised by closing loopholes goes to tax cuts -- has got to go.
"When you eliminate a deduction, it's okay with me to use some of that money to get us out of debt. That's where I disagree with the pledge," said Graham.
The Americans for Tax Reform pledge commits signers to "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."
Graham said eliminating some deductions should free up money to lower tax rates — but also to pay down U.S. debt.
"I just think that makes a lot of sense. And if I'm willing to do that as a Republican, I've crossed a rubicon," said Graham.
This puts Graham at odds with his party's leadership. Just last August, when the eight Republican presidential candidates were asked if they would reject a deal with $10 in spending cuts for every $1 in revenue, all eight said they would walk away. But Graham is now raising his hand for increased revenues — he says he could support a plan that included $4 in spending cuts for every $1 in increased tax revenue.
"We're so far in debt, that if you don't give up some ideological ground, the country sinks," said Graham.
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Today is
Senator Lindsey Graham Admits to
Breaching Oath of Office
Oath - a solemn appeal to a deity, or to some revered person or thing, to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc.:to testify upon oath.
Breach - an infraction or violation, as of a law, trust, faith, or promise.
My Charge of "Breach of Oath of Office" is based the signing of a non-public accepted, secret pledge, or a pledge that is restricted to a specific group, that is not offered to every represented citizen of a representative constituency. The Signing of a pledge of any kind, outside The Oath of Office, nullifies The Oath of Office, in that, one can't represent 100% of ones constituency when pledging specifics to another pledge, which represent a specific fraction of the 100%.
The Signed Pledge: Grover Norquist's group Americans for Tax Reform Anti-Tax Pledge.
" Like almost every other Republican member of Congress, he has signed the anti-tax pledge put forth by Grover Norquist's group Americans for Tax Reform"
Honor & Accountability are Mandatory Requirements of Office
The List of Republicans that Signed the Secret Tax Pledge
Each and every member that signed this secret pledge have acted in contradiction of their sworn solemn Oath of Office, which is a promise made to 100% of the people who elected him/her and placed their trust in him/her. The Signing of this pledge swears allegiance to a "Group", outside of the representation of the 100%, which nullifies the faith and trust of the 100% that was pledged and sworn too.
Action Required:
Each member of any political office who signed the Grover Norquist Group Americans for Tax Reform Anti-Tax Pledge, should be held accountable for their "Breach of Oath of Office", by being immediately removed from their position of authority, based on their act of signing a secret pledge.
Why haven't any official body addressed this infraction?
This Secret Pledge has been known about for years, and those that have the authority to intervene when a oath of office have been breached, also have to be held accountable for their lack of actions.
As a citizen of these United States of America, it is my responsibility to bring to attention, any issues or concerns that our elected officials have overlooked or have purposely ignored.
We have allowed our elected officials to breach sworn oath of office and it's time to take action for those who currently hold office, those who served in the past and signed the oath of office.
Each signer have violated the trust of the United States Citizens and should be removed from offices immediately, and... all pay received during their service should be paid back to the citizens, any pension that have been paid to any who signed the pledge will be paid back and no pension for any member in the future who signed the pledge should receive any pension.
Additionally, each member who signed the pledge should be investigated for "TREASON", in that, the signing of a secret pledge to refuse to raise taxes of any kind is a direct attempt to undermine the United States of America Sovereignty.
I look forward to the removal of every member who signed this pledge and let this represent to all future elected officials, "You serve the citizens and not your own interest and not the interest of a small group of any kind".
In My Opinion
ASMFMB
6/12/2012
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