Tonight’s guest Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, is at the center of a very public battle over a no-tax hike pledge with Republican Sen. Tom Coburn. Norquist told Politico the Oklahoma Senator “lied his way” into office:
The pledge that Tom Coburn signed was to the citizens of Oklahoma. He made that promise in campaigning for Senate in Oklahoma.
Coburn said on national TV today that he lied his way into office and will vote to raise taxes if he damn well feels like it, never mind what he promised the citizens of Oklahoma. Sen. Coburn knows perfectly well that the pledge is not to any organization but to the citizens of his state. He lied to them, not to Americans for Tax Reform.
Before this recent television comment, Coburn told me personally in a phone call that he would not vote for a tax increase and repeated his commitment in writing in a public letter to me.
This email came in response to Coburns’s appearance on yesterday’s MTP. Coburn referred to Norquist’s organization as a “special interest group” and basically said he would violate Grover Norquist’s pledge — a clear sign of breaking GOP ranks.
Coburn didn’t offer up any specifics yet, but hinted the so-called Gang of Six plan would include something called "significant dynamic effects by taking away tax credits." Coburn is part of a bi-partisan group of negotiators trying to figure out a long-term fix for the nation’s mounting debt.
Lawrence first brought up the spat in last Tuesday’s Rewrite, and called Norquist "the most powerful man in America who does not sleep in the White House” for his sway over GOP tax policy.
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This Redpublican document (pledge to never raise taxes) is an act of Treason. When a pledge supersedes the constitution wheither to an individual or country and contradicts the clause of the welfare of the people. Redpublicans the greater majority of the country says the welfare of the country is at stake and raising taxes is needed.
I saw your show where you called everyone who is a "birther" a racist, you are just another glenn beck in disguise, in these times of divisiveness in politics, you only serve to further divide the country. While I am not a "bitrther", neither am i a racist. However, your show pushes me further towards being a voter for the tea party. I am sure they will appreciate my vote, since it will not go to obama, i wouldnt want to be considered a reverse racist. What a waste of human flesh you are.
Equating all birthers with being racist might be a stretch but I think 'bafoons' or 'idiots' might well serve the all inclusive inclusion!
Show us the quote of Lawrence saying ALL birthers are racist.
the country has asked for a birth certificate....not hard...just show it. I'm not a birther but I find it interesting the clown in the white house won't show one and stop the argument. isn't he to blame for the controversy...i'm sure the libs will say NO. Libs get a grip.....he's an idiot. He can't run this country. Wake up!
Obama is doing the best thing possible, IF you cannot believe that the Clinton's, the McCain's, the RNC, & the Supreme Court then there is no helping you. Why would Obama want to do any more on this? After all it does make folks look terrible stupid & the more coy Obama is the better. I find it interesting how you folks want to see MORE from Obama, yet didn't seem to have any problem swallowing everything gwbush said, including his awol & his involvement with the bin laden family. Nite Nite.
aboutpostal:
If I say "boom is bad", do you plant a bomb? If I say I hate haters, do you hate me? Very disappointing shot @ cute-speak. Come on out, the closet is dark. You want, really want, to join the birthers, but it is important, isn't it, to blame someone for making you such a bad, bad little person. Poor thing.
i saw your show where you called ALL "birthers" a racist. I am neither a "birther" or racist. In these times of political divisiveness, your comments only further push people to the extreme. You are just another glenn beck in disguise. I voted for obama last time. Thanx to your comment, i will vote for the tea party next time. Maybe that will further divide this country, at least they dont pl;ay the race card. what a waste of human flesh you are. the tea party thanks you for my vote in 2012
Personal attacks, sweeping generalizations, irrational statements, threats; sounds like a teahaddist already!
"aboutpostal" meaning "about to go postal on someone", as in threatening to harm someone?
You sound like you might need professional help. This amount of rage is disproportionate to any of the issues addressed.
Of course, you never voted for President Obama. So let me get this straight: You voted for President Obama in 2008; and now just to spite Lawence O'Donnell you will vote for someone of the tea party persuasion? Where's the logic?
I bought home a news paper with birth announceents in. It`s the Merced Sun Star. They announce births every week. How can i get this news paper to you?
maybell Ingram
Lawrence:
It would have been instructive if you had asked Mr. Norquist if the envelope that enclosed the pledge to be signed by prospective candidates and sent to the candidate also contained a check which could be cashed if they had signed the pledge. Or if the pledge was in any way tied to future contributions to or support for their campaigns.
Darrell
That's what I was wondering; bet there's a quid pro quo. And doubt any of the parties concerned would ever admit it.
Is there a list somewhere of these signers? I'd sure like to know which of my state and federal legislators think they owe more allegiance to this guy than to their constituents!
Cappybob, I entirely agree with you. For Norquist and Americans for Tax Reform to extract a pledge from members of congress, who have sworn their allegiance to the United States and their oath to support, preserve, and defend the constitution of the United States, it is an act of subversion and treason. The United States Constitution grants the United States Congress the power to tax. It is not for Norquist or Americans for Tax Reform to subvert the power of the states to decide what goes into the United States Constitution. If Norquist and Americans for Tax Reform want to restrict the power of the United States Congress to tax, let them introduce a bill to amend the United States Constitution. If Congress passes it and if the states ratify it, it becomes the law through the legal process that the Founding Fathers designed not through the subversion of process that Norquist and Americans for Tax Reform are attempting. I think Norquist and Americans for Tax Reform should be exposed for what they are doing (i.e., subverting Congress' lawful power to tax), and tried for subversion and treason.
You're right HF. Apparently some people don't mind paying a 5% user fee. They just don't want to pay a 5% tax. Don't they realize it still takes the same amount of money from them whether it's called a tax or a user fee?
Mr. Norquist does not speak for all voters. His control over politicians is absolutely absurd. All the anti-government people make me so angry. If they don't want to pay taxes, they should move. They would be living in a 3rd world country, but then they could keep every grubby penny of their money. Although, it would be interesting to see how they would be able to make money. They don't consider the fact that they are benefiting from the type of country they are living in. They just want to take more and more. They are demanding entitlements and government welfare, just on a higher level.
You really bring up news that only proves how out of touch you and many other on the Left are. Nobody cares about this, this is not national news. Cover something important and then maybe people will actually watch your show for the full hour. You are honestly worse than Glenn Beck, as you make a point to drive people apart while calling Trump the origin of "hate." You are the most biased "journalist" I've ever seen in my life. Stop pretending to be speaking the "truth," because your mind is almost more skewed than Charlie Sheen. At least people are interested in what he says, whether you like it or not. Get a hint of reality, because you are a disgrace to journalism.
Mr. O'Donald, one way of telling the people that Grover Norquist is dead wrong is that when Republican's and even Democrats shift the tax burden to states by making states increase fees and other items not called taxes, that their tax burden is nevertheless increased especially if fees or other revenue getters are across the board that all citizens of a state must pay, then in effect taxes are increased on the people.
Republican's for years has been doing this very thing, shifting taxation to the states so that they can say on the Federal level that they have not increased taxes, on the Federal level.
I understand where mr. Grover Norquist is coming from on making the Federal government to control its spending, but he is dead wrong about what actually occurrs in real life, and he is wrong on the front that if there is a population that is not paying its taxes, or is paying lower taxes that most in the middle income, then it is necessary out of fairness to raise taxes on that population, or by getting rid of loop-holes to ensure that the tax burden they do have, that they will actually pay that tax rate.
Mr. Grover Norquist is dead wrong just like Republican's are dead wrong in the way they want to deal with Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
I am pretty sure Grover was wrong about the Christie and tax increases. Although Christie claims he is for a reduction in taxes, property taxes have gone up anyway. Here is a link to the Wall Street Journal link basically saying NJ property taxes have gone up:
I know New Jersey's credit raising dropped because of the refusal to pay the pension system. Just don't call him a fiscal conservative.
The belief that taxes should never be raised is absolutely absurd. When in history has that policy ever worked?
Got back from a board meeting-- a voluntary service in my community-- feeling tired and a bit deflated thinking about economic realities for non-profits. I turned on MSNBC and started watching your show, and you made me laugh out loud (and almost yell "Hallelujah!") when you were interviewing Reverend Graham (who couldn't manage to answer your questions but kept repeating the "Biblical" talking points). Then your answer to Rush's take on Jesus was the whipped cream on top. Brilliant! Thank you for poking the hypocrites.
I couldn't agree with you more...Lawrence is truly a beacon of light and truth and does it in a way you have to smile.
Lawrence O'Donnell quoting verses from the Bible??? He's a joke
Lawrence quotes the book of fiction quite well & the crazy bible thumpers run & hide
Lawrence quoted the Bible well. His exactness and sincerity, was that the joke? His appreciation for thoughts and words that are as wonderous as the first breath of a baby, was that the joke? His reminding us that there is a state of mind and a position of belief that would render us beautiful, if only we could, was that the joke? Is there anything attributed to Jesus that, if actually lived, would not improve us? The joke? Ending a sentence w/ three question marks and a trite little insult.
Glad I caught your show tonight. That's the way to deal with bible pretenders -- give it to them straight and unedited.
Have you noticed how seldom those Republican "Christians" actually quote the New Testament? Some are just unschooled and confused. Others are religious opportunists. Thanks for setting them straight. Bet there'll be no response... What can they say. They can't argue with Jesus.
I was a Presbyterian preacher for 38 years and never got away with what Lawrence did tonight. KUDOS! I never liked tv preachers but Brother Lawrence is absolutely in harmony with the teachings of Jesus. Go get 'em -- Rush and the corporate cronies of the military-industrial complex!
It's always amusing to see people like you and other Obama loving Progressive Socialists attempt to convince people that "Jesus was a Socialist" to help justify their movement and resulting federal policies over its citizens. LOL Here's some food for thought:
Nowhere in the New Testament or the other books of the Bible does Jesus Christ command the government to take money from its citizens and transfer it to poor people. In fact, the Bible says just the opposite.
Jesus Christ, in Matthew 6, tells his listeners that they should give individual charity. He also says they should give such charity secretly: "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
The 10th Commandment in Exodus 20:17 actually protects private property by commanding people not to covet their neighbor's house or belongings. That commands applies to the citizens as well as the elected government officials.
The Bible condemns laziness and praises hard work. Proverbs 10:4 says, "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." Proverbs 14:23 says, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
Jesus also taught that you don't give a man a fish, you teach a man to fish. Capitalism doesn't inhibit Christians from being charitable, giving more to Caesar [government] does. Charity is when you give" freely", not being forced to give, which breeds hate not love.
In other words, Jesus was not a Socialist, nor would he approve of "Social Justice". Nor was he a Liberal. In fact, in none of the Bible passages does Jesus, God or even Moses cite the [government] as the means by which the poor, needy, widowed and orphaned are - housed, clothed and fed.
Leave it to the Progressives that don't believe in God, Jesus or read the Bible, to take what Jesus said "out of context" with regards to his statement, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's," to mean that Jesus endorsed paying taxes. If Jesus would have said the tribute (tax) was illegitimate, he risked being branded a political criminal and incurring the wrath of Rome and be killed. Jesus immediately recognizes the trap, and exposed the hostility and the hypocrisy of his interrogators and recognizes that his questioners were daring Him to enter the temporal fray of Judeo-Roman politics.
Glad to see Jason will follow the example of Jesus and sell all his possesions when he made the following quote, " 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” simple little hypocrit! LOL!
Lawrence O'Donnell is awesome!! I appreciate his stance on democracy, the middle-class, the disadvantaged, the hypocrisy of most Republicans, the arrogance of Donald Trump -- O'Donnell is a Man who is not afraid to speak the truth!! Right on, Brother!!
yo me and obama used to play basketball in kenya with our mao mao friends while talking smack about the british and americans..
All trolling aside, regarding the person who said Lawrence is a Beck in disguise, I feel u when Lawrence implants thoughts and statements into people slyly but he is still the man lol. Beck just makes up crazy things while Lawrence cleverly tries to trick people into his verbal traps, and sadly most fall for it haha.
In all honesty if you wanna compare someone to a fox news pundit, compare Ed. He can't have a legit debate with anyone without looking like a screeching 12 year old lol.
Regarding comments on Christ's teachings: Thank you, Mr. O'Donnell. Everything that Christ said regarding our poor has been pushed into the background, inconsistent with our (wildly) consumer-driven culture. For the past 30 years, certain political figures have used Christianity as a political marketing gimmick. Guess they figured We the People are too dumb to be able to read and understand the Gospels, ourselves.
I have been a Presbyterian preacher for more than 38 years. Whenever I preached on what Jesus taught I got in trouble. Never did I get away with the clear and unvarnished truth of Brother Lawrence's sermon tonight. Go get 'em -- Rush and all the cronies of the military-industrial complex who don't give a damn for the poor. Now we know they don't even care for the middle class.
It's probably because you have no clue what you're talking about as you try to convince others that Jesus was a 'socialist' which can be easily disproved.... time for you to go back to Sunday School.
This time when he started ranting scripture, I simply changed the channel. Next time I will stop watching him entirely. Period. It ain't Thurber! I can watch a religious channel if I ever wanted to hear that. Let go of Trump. Your coverage is what he wants. You will ruin O'Donnell with this story before you ruin Trump.
Thank you, Lawrence, for your wonderful, insightful, commentary about Rush, tonight. You remind me so much of my late husband, Phil, a former Maryknoll Missionary. He would say, "You go, Lawrence!" Thank you, Joan Reilly
Lawrence,
i need to comment about your rewrite tonight. One more thing that "Jesus said" is : Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give unto the Lord what belongs to the Lord. Lawrence, items of material goodness, payments in lieu of taxes, belonged to Caesar; peoples hearts and souls belong to the Lord. Rush is so far off the mark with his remark he is outright insulting, even more than usual if that is possible.
As a believer in J's teachings (if not the miracles and ressurection) I must say I did not miss Keith tonight. Well done Lawrence! You only missed the forgiving of debt every seven years (Jubilation) bit. Nice job!
Scott in Maine
Who the heck do we think we are?! Believing that we could guess what Jesus, or the Buddha, or Mohammad would say or do about some issue. In the End, or some would say the Beginning, we will be held accountable for what WE have said to others and how WE have said it, what WE have done and how WE have done it. It is the easy way out to make judgements on how others are using their gifts. It is not our responsibility to judge anyone but "the man (woman) in the mirror." This should keep us busy for a lifetime.
Thank you Lawrence for taking on Grover, Franklin and Rush. I can't remember the last time someone spoke such truth to the perpetrators of lies. And thank you for reading what Christ said about the rich and the poor. I hope you are right - that Rush's viewers will see how ignorant he is about the teachings of Christ.
Grover Norquist represents no one. He was not elected to any office, and has no right to extract any kind of pledge or promise on behalf of any voters and/or taxpayers. He is owed absolutely NOTHING by any person who has signed his "pledge".
Both men are nuts & should be shown the door.