The conservative backlash at ‘Taxby’ begins
"How many people are thinking of running against me?"
And the counterattack against Saxby Chambliss — “Taxby”, they’re already calling him on Twitter — has begun in full force.
“Nothing that Chambliss does now can save him from his inevitable fate.
He is doomed beyond all hope of redemption.
Here’s the point: A Republican in a purple state can go wobbly without much fear of reprisal. But if a Republican in a deep-red state like Georgia is permitted to get away with flaunting his “bipartisanship” on such a fundamental issue, then every GOP senator might be tempted to join the RINO Caucus, becoming a bunch of treacherous self-serving sellouts like Arlen Specter and Lisa Murkowski.”
From Daniel Horowitz at Red State, writing with admirable frankness about what’s really at stake here:
“Saxby’s comments are quite instructive for conservatives as we confront a Republican Party that is committed to capitulation. This imbroglio over the fiscal cliff was never about the budget –- spending or revenue. It is about the fundamental role of government in a constitutional republic that inherently restrains the size of government. As such, even if raising taxes on the rich would be fair (it’s not; they already pay 37% of the income taxes), and even if it would be economically prudent; it is the wrong thing to do. Any additional revenue would be used to grow the size of government at a time when it needs to be cut in half. On this core issue, Republicans like Chambliss and Graham side with Democrats. We side with the Constitution.
That’s why this has never been about Norquist and his tax pledge. If Democrats would genuinely agree to a deal that would wind down the welfare and entitlement programs and eliminate full departments of the executive branch, conservatives would reluctantly go along with some form of revenue increases. Raising taxes is unfair and counterintuitive, but if that is what it would take to get Democrats to come onboard with our efforts to shrink government, then it would be a deal worth making.
The real narrative here is that Democrats will never agree to downsize the budget in any consequential way. And with Republicans like Saxby Chambliss, why should they?”
And Georgian Jason Pye, writing in United Liberty:
The fight over the budget in Washington is about scaling back government. Unfortunately, Chambliss has been part of the problem during his two terms in the Senate. He has been part of the political class that has spent too much and now wants to take his fiscal irresponsibility out on of taxpayers. It’s time for Chambliss and others like him to go. Here’s hoping an electable fiscal conservative steps up to the plate in Georgia.
– Jay Bookman
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354 comments Add your comment
nathan's political arsonist
November 26th, 2012
1:31 pm
The Republicans have confused sequestration with segregation. They believe
they are taking the country back
Now that is funny. Sadly, also some truth also.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
November 26th, 2012
1:33 pm
I personally hope the GOP has this kind of infight all the way to 2014. They will then get an object lesson on what a “house divided” means…and deserve it too.
JamVet
November 26th, 2012
1:34 pm
Poor Mittmeat, the would be fiddler.
Another November massacre for his dysfunctional GOP and he is reduced to monosyllabic trolling…
BRW
November 26th, 2012
1:39 pm
Someone here has the HOTS for leeches!
I think he should be wary since he’s the only sucker online today.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
1:41 pm
The gop are just playing lip service because they lost.
Lets see what is on the table before deciding.
We need to get this over with for certainty for investing and hiring.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
1:41 pm
Aww JellyVet. U mad? Embrace the cliff buddyroo.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
November 26th, 2012
1:42 pm
“The conservative backlash at ‘Taxby’ begins”
Yes, Jay ………. it’s called democracy and it’s the way it’s supposed to work.
If you don’t do what voters want they have the right to at least try to vote you out.
alex
November 26th, 2012
1:43 pm
@ wee; read Krugman;note it is under “opinion”, not “economic savant”
Allright let’s start cutting and prove these repubs wrong and we can get on with the tax hike…
stands for decibels
November 26th, 2012
1:44 pm
It’s true that a Democrat could not win in 2014 against Chambliss. Romney carried this state by eight points, and that’s a lot to overcome.
I’m going to challenge this bit of conventional wisdom just a bit.
first of all, in 2008, McCain won by five points. I don’t believe for a minute that the Democratic voting base has *decreased* since then. I think they weren’t especially motivated in 2012 in GA. If they were, I think that you’d see a much tighter race in 2014.
second, as I’m fond of pointing out, so much so I’ll do it twice in this thread–while eight points is a wide gap, in context, it’s the second CLOSEST race that Obama lost in 2012.
It wouldn’t surprise me if GA dems figured the 2014 senate race wasn’t worth getting too excited about. But I humbly submit that with the right candidate, and a few modest breaks, it could go their way.
John Konop
November 26th, 2012
1:45 pm
This is what former conservative house member Joe Scarborough said on his show: Why would anyone disagree?
……..Scarborough further criticized, “Why are we fighting and risking our majorities protecting billionaires that are hedge fund guys who are paying 14 percent tax rates?”
He continued, “There’s something immoral about these people paying fourteen, fifteen, sixteen percent of their taxes because the tax rates are the way they are while small business owners who make $250,000 a year in Manhattan and may employ four people are paying a 35% tax rate.”…….
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/joe-scarborough-tax-rates_n_2191232.html
JamVet
November 26th, 2012
1:46 pm
Mad?
I’m having a great time. Business is up and my life is rocking along.
I have no time for impotent anger like you do.
In fact, I’m laughing my rearend off at you neocons.
Specifically at another November humiliation at your expense.
Enjoy!
More are coming…
getalife
November 26th, 2012
1:49 pm
“Why are we fighting and risking our majorities protecting billionaires that are hedge fund guys who are paying 14 percent tax rates?”
Because rw media told them to.
This failed ideology is a loser but stay the course cons.
Welcome to the Occupation
November 26th, 2012
1:50 pm
Nero. So much dumb. So little time.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
November 26th, 2012
1:50 pm
Anyone who read Krugman’s most recent column…
Nobel envy.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
1:52 pm
JamVeterinarian,
Good to hear! You will make an excellent example of a patriotic American who won’t mind showing the other leeches how to pay more in taxes to end this fiscal insanity. Business is up, you can afford it. High five buddy.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
1:53 pm
nero,
Who are these leeches?
Joe Hussein Mama
November 26th, 2012
1:53 pm
J. Konop — “This is what former conservative house member Joe Scarborough said on his show: Why would anyone disagree?”
I don’t disagree, but I don’t believe for a moment that Joe Scarborough *himself* actually believes that. He’s made no secret of his desire to one day return to elective office (as if he could somehow overcome the dead intern issue), and he appears to be trying to set himself up by means of occasional faux-populist statements like that. Besides that, he knows that his best opportunity in life at this point is making his “STFU Mika” show into a going concern, so occasionally being the ‘principled Republican’ on morning talk TV is simply a way to differentiate his brand.
FWIW, I’ve noticed that every time Mika’s dad (former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski) appears on Morning Joe, Scarborough makes some dimwitted neocon comment and Zbiggy just *disassembles* him in nothing flat. So no, I don’t buy Scarborough’s act for an instant. And I don’t think Scarborough himself does, either.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
1:54 pm
Getaleech,
Look in the mirror dude.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
1:56 pm
The BabyBoomers are the biggest leeches of all. Then the DoD. Shall I continue?
getalife
November 26th, 2012
1:56 pm
nero,
I am retired.
Are you working?
Welcome to the Occupation
November 26th, 2012
1:56 pm
Nero is the ideal consumer of the low-information propaganda that is spewed out from out so many of our “leaders”.
He’s swallowed the narrative hook, line, and sinker.
Speaking of sinker, where’s Sandwich?
curious
November 26th, 2012
1:57 pm
The Republicans would be okay with sequestration, Except fot their defense contractor buddies and their millionaire Super Pac contributors.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
1:58 pm
nero,
What about corporate leeches and their welfare?
Nero
November 26th, 2012
1:59 pm
Like I said, look in the mirror. I work everyday day to pay for your leech generation.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
1:59 pm
I think nero is using projection and nero is the leech.
DawgDad
November 26th, 2012
2:00 pm
“The conservative backlash at ‘Taxby’ begins” — You betcha.
Steve
November 26th, 2012
2:01 pm
Let’s just keep taking food away from babies and keep lowering the taxes on the wealthy. They are job creators, don’t ya know, or so they say.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:01 pm
They’re right behind the DoD with their tax dodging and shady business practices. Raise their taxes too!
Steve
November 26th, 2012
2:02 pm
http://taxthechurches.org/
by 1971, the amount of real and personal property owned by U.S. churches was approx. $110 billion. In New York City alone, the amount was $3 billion in 1989. A 1986 estimate showed religious income in that year of approx. $100 billion, or about five times the income of the five largest corporations in the U.S. All tax free.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:03 pm
Geta leech is hilarious. Keep sucking on the federal teet. Your leech generation is be surprised when say enough is enough.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:04 pm
BabyBoomer leeches need to quit sponging and give back to the good of the country.
Erwin's cat
November 26th, 2012
2:05 pm
Bro-Hopefully, they will come on 1 Jan 2013. I seriously hope and pray that our Keystone Congress fumbles this one as they have done everything else.
I honestly think that was the plan from the get go…both sides can blame the other but they both get what they wanted and didn’t want
southpaw
November 26th, 2012
2:07 pm
RB from Gwinnett @12:49
You’ve given me an idea for a tax increase that both sides should like. What we need to start doing is measure tax increases the same way we measure budget cuts! Let me illustrate how to do that in 3 easy steps.
1. Start with a tax rate (for example, the current 35%) on rich people.
2. Plan to reduce the rate to, let’s say, 25%.
3. Change the plan. Instead of changing the rate to 25%, change it to, let’s say, 33% instead.
Presto! The tax rate has been changed from 25% to 33%–and the rich will pay 8% more in tax. They probably won’t even notice, because it will look to them like a 2% decrease in their rates. And then, Obama/Reid/Pelosi can say that they increased taxes on the rich by 8%, and it will be just as truthful as the talk we keep hearing about spending cuts. Is this a win-win or what?
mm
November 26th, 2012
2:08 pm
“If you don’t do what voters want they have the right to at least try to vote you out.”
That is correct. America was fed up with the con tax pledge and”just say no” attitude.
Come on cons, you know you would have lost the House if not for gerrymandering after the 2010 census.
linus pauling
November 26th, 2012
2:08 pm
Damn, that nobel prize money ain’t what it used to be………
I guess,I’ll lend him one of mine…….
millionare superpac contributors ..like G. Soros…..I don’t think either side has a monopoly there…
need a new beret……
Aquagirl
November 26th, 2012
2:11 pm
Your leech generation is be surprised[sic] when say[sic] enough is enough.
Anyone here know if Obamacare covers speech therapy?
indigo
November 26th, 2012
2:11 pm
Nero
I also am retired. I paid into Social Security for over 50 years and most of that money went in when dollars were worth much more than now. That means I’ll never get back all that I paid in.
Calling me and others “leeches” only shows your profound ignorance and willingness to be led around by Big Business and Republicans who could not possibly care less about you.
Son, you have much to learn.
godless heathen
November 26th, 2012
2:13 pm
Presto! The tax rate has been changed from 25% to 33%–and the rich will pay 8% more in tax. They probably won’t even notice, because it will look to them like a 2% decrease in their rates. And then, Obama/Reid/Pelosi can say that they increased taxes on the rich by 8%, and it will be just as truthful as the talk we keep hearing about spending cuts. Is this a win-win or what?
Or plan to raise the rate by 20%, but then only raise it 10% and call it a tax cut.
Joe Hussein Mama
November 26th, 2012
2:13 pm
indigo — “Calling me and others “leeches” only shows your profound ignorance and willingness to be led around by Big Business and Republicans who could not possibly care less about you.”
Come now. Calling you a leech is nero’s kinder, gentler Republican outreach. That’s the method the cons plan to use to ensure their victory in 2016!
John Konop
November 26th, 2012
2:14 pm
Joe Hussein Mama,
As far as the politics, I think Hillary will be the main stage in 4 years. She will be difficult to beat ie first women, resume, Obama owes major iou, Bill Clinton and the economy will be in a better cycle via building and energy increasing in our country. We will still major issues with wage disparity, but people will be happier with a little something over nothing.
Because of this, he will not jump in, and either keep pocketing the cash via TV, books…….or position himself for a cabinet position. I think Joe knows the demographics are changing so he wants to be with the next generation not the Fox older demographic. The tone of Morning Joe is closer to a more serious version of The Daily Show ie future, than the old smash and grind Rush, Beck, Fox…………
Finally, he does not want to get into the last hate push from Rush and company driving the base when Hillary runs. Joe will position himself on the opposite side via the personal attacks………..which will either help him gain popularity ie ratings…….or as rational appointment for Hillary to seem bi-partisan.
Welcome to the Occupation
November 26th, 2012
2:15 pm
Usually Jay is a little more astute than to simply buy this silly ‘mutiny against Capn Norve’ meme. Maybe he’s busy today preparing a longer column, who knows.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:16 pm
I’m not your son. Just another slave paying so you Baby Boomer leeches can pass the buck to future generations. You’re just a anti-corporate Democratic leech. Leeches are leeches whether they have a R or D after their name. Sacrifice more for the sake of the country.
DawgDad
November 26th, 2012
2:19 pm
“He continued, “There’s something immoral about these people paying fourteen, fifteen, sixteen percent of their taxes because the tax rates are the way they are while small business owners who make $250,000 a year in Manhattan and may employ four people are paying a 35% tax rate.”…….”
So cut taxes on earned income. Problem solved. Certainly would give a huge boost to our economy.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:19 pm
Joey,
I could care less if the Republicans win. They are the other side of the same leech coin that you and the rest of the Democratic leeches make up.
godless heathen
November 26th, 2012
2:20 pm
I think Hillary will be the main stage in 4 years. She will be difficult to beat ie first women, resume,
She’s not running. If she was she wouldn’t be letting herself go the way that she is. Personal appearance shouldn’t matter, but it does.
southpaw
November 26th, 2012
2:20 pm
godless heathen @2:13
Be careful with that. “Tax cut” borders on obscene in Washington right about now.
BRW
November 26th, 2012
2:20 pm
Nero doesn’t learn. Rush moves his hand and Nero types…..
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
November 26th, 2012
2:21 pm
If she was she wouldn’t be letting herself go the way that she is.
There’s your sign.
DawgDad
November 26th, 2012
2:22 pm
“Let’s just keep taking food away from babies ”
How utterly pathetic. “We” can’t, because “I’m” not. So, go ahead, speak for yourself.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:23 pm
Sequestration is the way to go.
TaxPayer
November 26th, 2012
2:24 pm
I’m all for reducing the size of the DoD and the pensions and healthcare benefits of the Congress members and maybe even a few other things. Yay for downsizing.
indigo
November 26th, 2012
2:25 pm
Nero
The intellectual level of your posts suggests you’re probably an assistant stable boy at a horse farm. It’s also clear someone is taking pity on you and assisting in your posting here. They clearly aren’t telling you how pathetic and just plain stupid these posts are.
OK – you’re break is over. Time to back to more horse sh*t shoveling.
DawgDad
November 26th, 2012
2:25 pm
“I paid into Social Security for over 50 years and most of that money went in when dollars were worth much more than now. That means I’ll never get back all that I paid in.”
And we thank you for your political support for all those QEs, and the ones yet to come.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:27 pm
Tax the hell out of Rush too! He could care less about this country. Just like the leeches.
Joe Hussein Mama
November 26th, 2012
2:27 pm
J. Konop — “Joe will position himself on the opposite side via the personal attacks………..which will either help him gain popularity ie ratings…….or as rational appointment for Hillary to seem bi-partisan.”
FWIW, I can’t see Joe Scarborough as any sort of Cabinet-Level appointee in *anyone’s* administration (though I don’t disagree that Hillary will have her shot in 2016 if she cares to take it). I can’t think of any Cabinet position for Joe Scarborough where other, more-suitable candidates can’t be had by the six-pack.
Don Abernethy
November 26th, 2012
2:27 pm
Conservatives will deal with the Republican party for their poor showing November 6rh. Those who have losing seasons (like football coaches) get fired. We are about to fire some people.
barking frog
November 26th, 2012
2:28 pm
Nero
Boomer, leech here. Thanks man. Hustle, I’m getting a raise.
Enjoying that Medicare Advantage at the local health spa compliments
of you. Florida is great. Medicaid may pay part of my medicare premium
this year. again thanks buddy.
TaxPayer
November 26th, 2012
2:29 pm
If you don’t do what voters want they have the right to at least try to vote you out.
Which reminds me of a recent event.
Obama Won,
Cons Zero.
Joe Hussein Mama
November 26th, 2012
2:29 pm
Nero — “Joey, I could care less if the Republicans win. They are the other side of the same leech coin that you and the rest of the Democratic leeches make up.”
Shrug. Guess you should just off yourself now, then, thereby saving yourself from further disappointment and denying us your continued services as an object of fun and entertainment.
BRW
November 26th, 2012
2:30 pm
Oooh! Oooh! Let me try!!
Wah, Wah…, Wah, Wah…leech….
Wah, Wah…, Wah, Wah…leeches….
Wah, Wah…, Wah, Wah…leech….leeches….
Even sounds stupid when I say it….oh well.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:31 pm
Indigo,
The level of your posts indicates you’re a selfish Boomer leech who is butt hurt because you can’t “get back all that I paid in.” Keep sucking on the teet retired leech.
Gale
November 26th, 2012
2:31 pm
Nero = troll
Just saying.
stands for decibels
November 26th, 2012
2:33 pm
That means I’ll never get back all that I paid in.
so you’re planning on dying soon?
if not, I seriously doubt that your assumptions about “never getting it back” are valid.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:34 pm
Barking Leech,
You’re welcome leech.
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 26th, 2012
2:34 pm
Big government moochers.
We can try to get them out but…………………………….when you’re dealing with a corrupt institute like the US Federal government……………….there’s no paper trail.
All I know is that ….contrary to popular belief……….the two Federal Government worker/moochers Barney Frank and Saxby Chambliss won’t go down as easy as one thinks.
Gale
November 26th, 2012
2:34 pm
It will be interesting to get a 2016 opinion from Hillary after a year of rest. She has been run ragged, carrying the foreign affairs ball for four years. It is no wonder she looks it.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
Gale= just another leech
just sayin’
barking frog
November 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
Nero
Glad there’s no hard feelings, some day you may be as lucky.
BRW
November 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
“sucking on the teet” it’s teat, Zero, I mean Nero…..
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
November 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
Looks………like……somebody………………found…their…………….period.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:36 pm
BRW,
If the shoe fits, then wear it leech.
DawgDad
November 26th, 2012
2:36 pm
“Obama Won,
Cons Zero.”
Uh, you might want to check the party representation in the House of Representatives. Certainly, Obama won, and his legacy will linger for many, many years, but the “cons” are hardly holding an empty hand.
JamVet
November 26th, 2012
2:36 pm
Nero = Jm.
Wet behind the ears and angry at the baby boomers…
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:37 pm
Thanks for pointing out my typo leech. Much appreciated.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
November 26th, 2012
2:37 pm
NERO,
I’m retiring in March. I’ll get Social Security, Medicare, and Military retirement. I want to thank you in advance for your contribution.
——————–
But you could always quit your job to get back at us. yeah, that would really fix us. :LOL: :LOL:
getalife
November 26th, 2012
2:38 pm
nero,
Keep working and one day you can retire too.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:38 pm
Sorry to disappoint you JellyVet. Not Jm. Continue with your regularly scheduled leeching.
stands for decibels
November 26th, 2012
2:38 pm
incredibly off topic, but am I the only one who was basically unaware of the size/scope/damage of those “no money down” scams of the late Oughts?
Seller-funded down-payment assistance loans accounted for just 4% of outstanding loans at the end of September, but they represented 13% of all seriously delinquent mortgages, according to a recently released audit.
[...]
Overall, the FHA says it is now facing $70 billion in claims it will have to pay on mortgages that it insured between 2007 and 2009.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:40 pm
Getalife,
With leeches like you, that is very doubtful. I’ll still be paying for your leeching.
barking frog
November 26th, 2012
2:40 pm
Nero
Don’t forget to pay your taxes. I want new nikes and an izod
sweatsuit.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:41 pm
Corbin Bernsen,
Thanks for the leech tip. Never thought of that.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
2:42 pm
nero,
Singapore is calling you.
Doggone/GA
November 26th, 2012
2:43 pm
I seem to sense a yellow card (if not a red one) soon to be issued
charlie allnut
November 26th, 2012
2:44 pm
Boy do I hate leeches….
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:45 pm
Frog,
Well we’ll just have to double down on your retirement taxes. Hopefully you won’t be eating dog food out of a can like the my generation will be doing when we retire.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
2:45 pm
Leechers.
barking frog
November 26th, 2012
2:46 pm
Nero
Social Security is designed for the wealthy to pay their medicare
premiums and deductibles so they can have totally free healthcare.
No leech like a rich leech.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
2:47 pm
Tell the gop to get their incompetent hands off your 401k’s.
Or they drop.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:47 pm
Sequestration is the most logical choice. When you’re in over your head, stop digging.
barking frog
November 26th, 2012
2:48 pm
Nero
Retirement taxes are gone. Georgia just went to all retirement
income is tax free. Good luck with the double down.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:49 pm
Boomer leeches are just gonna have to learn to do with less. The well is drying up.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
2:49 pm
nero,
Perhaps you should wait to see the deal before you opine.
You look silly.
Gale
November 26th, 2012
2:49 pm
It appears to me that the politicians read the exit polls and are adjusting their public views. But the pundits who make their money by rousing the masses are unhappy. They won’t have people to get fired up if DC gets all compromisey and the economy grows because of it.
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:50 pm
Then they need to reinstitute retirement taxes. Boomer leeches helped get us here. They’ll have to help get us out.
Gale
November 26th, 2012
2:51 pm
Dog food, nero? Have you never heard of saving for retirement?
Nero
November 26th, 2012
2:52 pm
There will be no deal. The leeches will get their tax increases and balk at spending cuts. Just passing the buck. The Boomer leeches taught them well.
Midori
November 26th, 2012
2:52 pm
well if Getalife is really a leech, he’s a mighty cute one
Didn’t know leeches had it so good 
barking frog
November 26th, 2012
2:52 pm
Nero
Tough. Leave my government mammary gland alone.
TaxPayer
November 26th, 2012
2:53 pm
Certainly, Obama won, and his legacy will linger for many, many years, but the “cons” are hardly holding an empty hand.
Oh yes, thanks for reminding me. They actually lost seats in the last election.
getalife
November 26th, 2012
2:53 pm
nero,
Your leecher argument is a winner.
Stay the course.