Washington Post (Thank you Ladyhawke)
July 19
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Thom Anderson (SCNow.com): “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.”
That is the oath that members of the United States Congress, both houses, take as they begin their duties. Sounds good, but a majority in this Congress put an asterisk on it. Maybe they had their fingers crossed as they recited the oath.
The asterisk concerns a pledge, developed in the ‘80s by a 20-something fellow named Grover Norquist, who grew up rich and privileged, received two degrees from the dreaded Harvard, and then went directly into partisan, highly ideological company in the Reagan White House where he got the “inspiration” for the oath. An Internet search indicates he has never worked in the “real America” that right-wingers so revere, only in strong ideological company.
… When they sign this pledge, politicians promise that under no circumstance, not war, not danger of the government defaulting on legally and properly owed debt, not danger that the infrastructure will crumble us into Third World status, will they tolerate an increase in government revenue….
In other words, when these politicians swore before God and their country that they take their obligations “freely” and “without any mental reservation,” they were not truthful. How can they claim to face their obligations in Congress freely when they have made a prior pledge they consider unbreakable not to do certain things? They can’t.
…. This pledge of which most voters are unaware has been taken by some Congressmen since the 1980s. It was a major reason that a “conservative” president and Congress not only failed to pay for a war that has gone sour but cut taxes as they entered it, turning an inherited surplus into a huge deficit.
They also added an expensive Medicare drug benefit without funding, further increasing the deficit. This higher cost they created, they now use as an excuse to scrap Medicare.
Also, you wouldn’t pick a music-hater to conduct an orchestra. Why pick a government-hater to run your country? When electing people who are against government, think of Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen. They don’t have real governments.
Full article here – thanks again Ladyhawke
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Let’s never forget, Norquist is the traitor Firedogfake’s Hamsher teamed up with when they campaigned together for the resignation of Rahm Emanuel:
Kevin Drum (Mother Jones, December 2009): Apparently Jane Hamsher has decided that a healthcare bill that provides a trillion dollars worth of benefit to low and middle income workers is so odious that mere opposition isn’t enough. Nor is opposition that increasingly employs the worst kind of right-wing talking points. No, it’s so odious that it deserves a scorched earth campaign against the Obama White House in partnership with Grover Norquist. Hard to know what to say about this. What’s next? A joint Twitter campaign with Sarah Palin? A letter writing campaign cosponsored by Richard Viguerie? A joint lawsuit with Orly Taitz? Jeebus.
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Nicholas D. Kristof (NYT): If China or Iran threatened our national credit rating and tried to drive up our interest rates, or if they sought to damage our education system, we would erupt in outrage.
Well, wake up to the national security threat. Only it’s not coming from abroad, but from our own domestic extremists.
We tend to think of national security narrowly as the risk of a military or terrorist attack. But national security is about protecting our people and our national strength — and the blunt truth is that the biggest threat to America’s national security this summer doesn’t come from China, Iran or any other foreign power. It comes from budget machinations, and budget maniacs, at home.
…. on this issue, many House Republicans aren’t serious, they’re just obsessive in a destructive way. The upshot is that in their effort to protect the American economy from debt, some of them are willing to drag it over the cliff of default.
…. Republican zeal to lower debts could result in increased interest expenses and higher debts. Their mania to save taxpayers could cost taxpayers. That suggests not governance so much as fanaticism.
More broadly, a default would leave America a global laughingstock. Our “soft power,” our promotion of democracy around the world, and our influence would all take a hit. The spectacle of paralysis in the world’s largest economy is already bewildering to many countries. If there is awe for our military prowess and delight in our movies and music, there is scorn for our political/economic management.
While one danger to national security comes from the risk of default, another comes from overzealous budget cuts — especially in education, at the local, state and national levels. When we cut to the education bone, we’re not preserving our future but undermining it.
… “The attack on literacy programs reflects a broader assault on education programs,” said Rosa DeLauro, a Democratic member of Congress from Connecticut. She notes that Republicans want to cut everything from early childhood programs to Pell grants for college students. Republican proposals have singled out some 43 education programs for elimination, but it’s not seen as equally essential to end tax loopholes on hedge fund managers.
So let’s remember not only the national security risks posed by Iran and Al Qaeda. Let’s also focus on the risks, however unintentional, from domestic zealots.
Full article here
An excellent comment in a South Carolina newspaper:
COLUMN: Tax pledge makes a liar out of right-wingers
by Thom Anderson
“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.”
That is the oath that members of the United States Congress, both houses, take as they begin their duties. Sounds good, but a majority in this Congress put an asterisk on it. Maybe they had their fingers crossed as they recited the oath.
The asterisk concerns a pledge, developed in the ‘80s by a 20-something fellow named Grover Norquist, who grew up rich and privileged, received two degrees from the dreaded Harvard, and then went directly into partisan, highly ideological company in the Reagan White House where he got the “inspiration” for the oath. An Internet search indicates he has never worked in the “real America” that right-wingers so revere, only in strong ideological company.
.
.
This pledge of which most voters are unaware has been taken by some Congressmen since the 1980s. It was a major reason that a “conservative” president and Congress not only failed to pay for a war that has gone sour but cut taxes as they entered it, turning an inherited surplus into a huge deficit.
They also added an expensive Medicare drug benefit without funding, further increasing the deficit. This higher cost they created, they now use as an excuse to scrap Medicare.
Also, you wouldn’t pick a music-hater to conduct an orchestra. Why pick a government-hater to run your country? When electing people who are against government, think of Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen. They don’t have real governments.
http://www2.scnow.com/news/2011/jul/24/column-tax-pledge-makes-liar-out-right-wingers-ar-2173472/
This message about Republicans signing the Norquist pledge is one I’d like to see the Democrats talk about daily. Every chance they get to stand in front of a microphone, I don’t care what the topic is, slip it in there.
I like this:
“Also, you wouldn’t pick a music-hater to conduct an orchestra. Why pick a government-hater to run your country? When electing people who are against government, think of Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen. They don’t have real governments.”
Lawrence O’Donnell made a similar point one night on his show. I don’t remember exactly the context, but basically, he was saying that you want to discuss the intracies of sports, you get someone who knows the game, had played it, was familiar with it, etc. You don’t just pick a man off the street and ask him.
I am constantly wondering what qualification does a person need to have to be in Congress? Just by breathing and having a pulse makes one eligible?
Wow.
I used to be a frequent visitor at thestate.com., the web site of SC’s largest newspaper, and I was amazed and troubled at the resistance to truth I saw coming from many of the conservatives who commented on the site. When attempts are made to inform the citizens of SC about the shenanigans of republicans, they seem to fall on deaf ears. Many of SC’s citizens are really struggling in this economic downturn, but they persist in fully embracing the Republican Party’s platform–a major cause of their troubles. It is the same here in GA. It seems that many who vote for politicians in the Republican Party have a problem with matching the actions of these politicians to the economic conditions in the state. It was reported on ajc.com last week that GA’s unemployment rate has increased. None of the comments about this ever placed any of the blame on Senators Chambliss and/or Isakson, or on any of the other teapublicans these nuts sent to Congress and to the state legislature, but none of them forgot to place all of the blame at the feet of PBO.
Thanks ladyhawke for sharing this excellent article. Mr. Anderson said it well why would any sane person “pick a music-hater to conduct an orchestra?” Why indeed do people like Ron Paul, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, Eric Cantor spend decades in Congress, and in the case of Ron Paul Paul, run for president three times, if they hate the government so much? What’s wrong with Americans that they can’t see through the b.s. from people, like Norquist, who don’t know how it feels like to work on an 8-5 job with an overbearing boss?
How can one say that they will uphold the principles of the Constitution, yet they sign a pledge to do just the opposite. It seems as though they are operating under a cult because how in good conscience you are trying to destroy this country with such idiotic ideas. This is so mind boggling. They will never win this battle. God bless our President who is working hard for all of us even the ones who do not have sense enough to look out for themselves such as the signers of the Norquist pledge.
Exactly, this Grover Norquist no taxes pledge is a clear violation of their oath of office. They are essentially surrendering their judgment to someone outside of the government. Who elected Grover Norquist??? In addition, you can’t have dual loyalties (the Constitution and Grover Norquist). See the clip from Van Jones. He totally nails it. This is a moral issue. People need to wake up. The Republican Party is dismantling our democracy right before our eyes.
It is the no taxes pledge that has caused the debt/deficit problem. It’s really astonishing how this has gone on for so long. The Republican Party is the biggest threat to economic recovery.
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Van Jones slams Norquist’s taxpayer protection pledge
It’s always ass-hats who grew up in ultra privileged circumstances that come up with plans and blueprints to destroy America. He’s never worked hard a day in his life, he’s never done the real work that those in real America do everyday according to the GOP. He’s some rich kid who bought his way into the Reagan White House with daddy’s money and decided to screw the rest of America because the fucked up voices in his head told him to. As for those fucktards in Congress who signed his pledge, I hope they go down in the same flames that will surely devour the Grover Norquists of this world.
We need to get a list of all those who signed the Norquist pledge so come election time, in each state, we the American People can vote against said member of Congress. That will SEND a MESSAGE.
GGail, I totally agree! It’s time for us to stand up and expose these spoiled, self-indulgent, people who could care less about plunging the country in another great Depression! Really Enough is Enough!
That’s the American Taliban at work. They need to be forcefully called out on this, the fucking MSM seems to be asleep as usual. Can you imagine Dems signing pledges like this? Teahadists would be calling for their heads….after they got thrown in Gitmo.
Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
And let me just add that Teapublikkkans like to rant and rave about the Constitution and how much they love it, but have absolutely no problem violating the Constitution. Please for the sake of democracy, vote these fools out!
Chris C. : “when I was 12, I was still watching Grover on Sesame street.” hahahahahahahhahhahahahahahahhahahahaha!!!!
I guess he couldn’t resist it 
I’ve been tweeting this little rat bastard this morning. Join me.
@GroverNorquist
Mr. Norkkkwist keeps hiding behind “The American people” in his interview with Tweety, but we ALL know that the American people didn’t agree to any such pledge – in fact poll after poll has shown that “the American people” PREFER a combination of spending cuts AND revenues. Norkkkwist does not speak for “the American people” and he certainly does not speak for me.
As proudofobama said, Norkkkwist is nothing but a little rat bastard. And I will be tweeting him as well.
Repugs know absolutely nothing about the Constitution of the US. They know nothing about our history except that American used to be a colony of Great Britain, we fought a revolutionary war over tea (
) and that we have and should be able to use “second Amendment remedies.” These idiots couldn’t even spell constitution if you asked, yet they talk about defending it! They are nothing but a band of ignorant miscreants who do nothing but listen to the sounds of their own voices all day. John Boehner needs to wake the fuck up and realize that he’s let a bunch of maniacs into congress and that he’s letting the 60-80 or so of them dictate what everyone else does. These are boogiemen! The more you fear them, the more powerful they and others perceive them to be. They are nothing! The are a bunch of witless ‘morans’ who don’t know their own holes from a hole in the ground! Take FDR’s advice John: ‘there is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Fricking do right for the first time in your miserable life. Do right by the American people, John, even if it’s the last damn thing you as the Speaker of the House.
Yet they keep winning with the American people. Our outrage is one thing, but studying how they do their magic of convincing average working bloke to vote them in time and again is what is needed. Obama saves the one industry vital to Michigan and they vote the worst type of T-baggers in. This is magic. And I think it goes beyond Obama’s race. They would do it to Hillary or any other democrat. When they don’t win, they know how to gum up the government machinary and still get the American people’s support. What gives?
This is what gives. Makes perfect sense: http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/151673/debt_ceiling_holy_war%3A_why_do_conservatives_have_unshakable_faith_in_ideas_that_are_totally%2C_demonstrably_false/?page=3
Thanks Desertflower for the link. While I agree with what it says, basically why the t-nutjobs are what they are, it doesn’t really examine why they’re winning at the ballot box. Why they can easily paint any democrat as unamerican. How they’re able to again and again win with “middle” america. It’s frustrating what happened in the midwest. Race is an element, but it is a small element. Again, they would do this to ANY democratic adminstration. If they don’t win, they make government unworkable, and still win american people’s support. What gives?
Doesn’t he look like a Nazzi in that last picture?
He always does.
Sure does. What’s with the black gloves? Looks like an SS officer. Getting ready to raise that hand and say “Heil”!!!
Should also add that that scruffy unshaven look is “over”, so yesterday. It was NEVER a good look on you anyway.
Not only did they swear to take this oath FREELY WITHOUT MENTAL RESERVATION….but I think the bigger issue is OR PURPOSE OF EVASION….they either signed that Norquist Pledge BEFORE they took their oath (purposefully evading) or after they took the oath(Knowingly evading). I read that as they NEVER had ANY intention of upholding their oath of office. If that’s not treason, then I don’t know what is!
Anybody want to Tweet the twit at the bottom of this page??? http://www.atr.org/ben-quayle-r-ariz-signs-taxpayer-a5210
******must read**********
http://www.politicususa.com/en/gop-greed-default
Bruce Bartlett Connects the Dots– It’s the National Security, Stupid
http://balkin.blogspot.com/2011/07/bruce-bartlett-connects-dots-its.html
No-Tax ‘Zealot’ Norquist Emerges as Biggest Barrier to U.S. Deficit Deal
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-24/norquist-emerges-as-barrier-to-u-s-debt-deal.html
Good afternoon TODers. As I was reading the info about Grover Norquist it brought to mind a show that used to be on A&E or FX i can’t remember which. Jesse Ventura was the host and it was called Conspiracy Theory. There was an episode with a woman who left the country for a location she would not allow to be mentioned. She was saying that she worked fro the gov’t during Bush 43. She said she had a discussion with a senior female cabinet member who stated that it was time for the “culling” to begin. Basically she was saying that the monied people in America were making plans to get rid of a lot of the “bottom feeders” or everyday working people and keep the rest to work for them and make them richer. I watched most of the episodes and could agree with some of what was said but, I admit I was like “whatever lady”. All of this mess that is going on has brought what this lady said back to mind. I really never thought I would see this in my life time(36), but I see that there is a big battle ahead. I don’t understand people who are this evil, nor do I want to. I just pray everything they are doing comes out. Also this Rupert Murdoch thing and the pledge these stupid ass repugs have taken I am pretty sure is all connected in some way. Besides the republican thing. As you know the way dictators control things in their countires is through false reporting in the media, and we all know how many news papers and television stations Murdoch owned and was trying to buy up. All I can think to myself is wow this shit is really happening!!
YES, IT IS TREASON
My gawd it’s like talking to a brick wall. The American people do not want to foot the bill, for republican overspending by having deep cuts made to their Social Security and Medicare benefits. Pay your damn bills republicans, you ran up most of debt. Deadbeats & scofflaws that’s todays Republican party.
Just in from church and my pastor spoke on what is going on in Washington with these treasonous republicans.
I think we should all send out twitter bombs calling the republicans treasonists.
Just plain and simple:
@SpeakerBoehner #GOP treason
We have to put pressure on these nuts from the outside. Just think of it we have about 80 nuts that wants to take down the entire country because a pledge they signed to get in congress.
ust in from church and my pastor spoke on what is going on in Washington with these treasonous republicans.
I think we should all send out twitter bombs calling the republicans treasonists.
Just plain and simple:
@SpeakerBoehner #GOP treason
Just think we have about 80 nuts that are willing to take down this country because of a pledge they signed to get them in congress
This has to be one of the most simple minded, counterproductive and potentially disastrous pledges to have ever been created and foisted upon a group already so dogmatically limited in their scope and ability to be objective and open to anything that may include anything that doesn’t have the blessings of the Tea Party or Grover Norquist and his nescient group of mouth breathing simpletons aka “Americans For Tax Reform” Its beyond me how they, or anyone else, can claim to be so patriotic and truly love our country and knowing our government must remain pliable and flexible free from anything that’s so rigid and unyielding it could easily destroy our national economy and throw the USA into a devastating financial abyss. Its totally insane…..
Republicans are experts at creating their own versions of reality, harnessing the emotions of un/undereducated citizens and convincing them that a government policy/law intended to help them constitutes a “threat” to their freedom. It is a tactic the GOP has used to win elections for the last 40 + years. It has nothing to do with patriotism but everything to do with having control of our government and the opportunity to subvert our democracy in ways that provide the greatest benefits this country has to offer to those whom they think/feel deserve them.
Ok, so how do we fight back? How do we win with our ideas? What are the solutions?
We all really know that this is treason…. BUT what can be done about it? I’m not well versed in the law, but can the DOJ investigate and prosecute? If not, then what else can be done? There is such a thing as lying under oath. Well every representative and senator who has signed this pledge should be brought up on charges of lying DURING their oath. There should be some kind of action they have to answer to. Norquist was not elected by anyone. He and who ever is backing him should also be taken to the woodshed. Thoughts anyone?
I concur about the DOJ should investigate. Either we’re a Nation of Laws or we’re not!
Thank you SouthernGirl2. Was thinking I was on the wrong track. Hopefully they are already looking into it! Praying for that one!