For the past week, I have had “Georgia on My Mind.” Not just
because of the state’s theme song, but the growing role played by the state’s
Senior US Senator Saxby
Chambliss in the ongoing talks
on the fiscal cliff crisis.
Before taking some spotlight on that issue, Chambliss played
a minor role in maintaining the checks and balances during the 2008 election,
when he won his seat and thwarted a supermajority for the Democrats in the US Senate.
a minor role in maintaining the checks and balances during the 2008 election,
when he won his seat and thwarted a supermajority for the Democrats in the US Senate.
Following the 2012 election, Chambliss spoke on the Veterans’
Day edition of “This Week
with George Stephanopoulos” , along with Democrat chairwoman of the Budget
Committee Patty Murray.
Chambliss is a newcomer to the Sunday Morning talk show circuit, but he carried
himself very well with Patty Murray, also a relative unknown to the media.
During the early part of the conference, the Vice-Chair of the Homeland
Security committee commented on CIA Director David Petraus’ fall from repute.
Chambliss commended the former general’s service.
Day edition of “This Week
with George Stephanopoulos” , along with Democrat chairwoman of the Budget
Committee Patty Murray.
Chambliss is a newcomer to the Sunday Morning talk show circuit, but he carried
himself very well with Patty Murray, also a relative unknown to the media.
During the early part of the conference, the Vice-Chair of the Homeland
Security committee commented on CIA Director David Petraus’ fall from repute.
Chambliss commended the former general’s service.
Following the Petraus scandal, the fiscal cliff controversy
dominated the rest of the discussion. During his campaign and following his
reelection, President Obama pledged to refuse to sign off on tax cut extensions
on the wealthiest Americans.
dominated the rest of the discussion. During his campaign and following his
reelection, President Obama pledged to refuse to sign off on tax cut extensions
on the wealthiest Americans.
As a member of last year’s Super Committee, Murray commanded
a greater knowledge of the dealings and the resistance from both sides to
comprehensive reform. A number of times
Murray emphasized that revenues must be included,
reciting “The wealthy have to pay their fair share.” Murray expressed measured
confidence that Congress would resolve the fiscal cliff.
a greater knowledge of the dealings and the resistance from both sides to
comprehensive reform. A number of times
Murray emphasized that revenues must be included,
reciting “The wealthy have to pay their fair share.” Murray expressed measured
confidence that Congress would resolve the fiscal cliff.
Chambliss acknowledged that revenues have to be part of the
next deal, but above all the government has to cut spending. He then pointed out that the
next deal must broach serious entitlement reform, the primary expenditure choking the country. By eliminating a host of
tax deductions, Congress can lower overall tax rates while generating over $1.3
trillion in revenue. True to his conservative roots, Chambliss stressed that the
economy needs to get working again. Tax increases on private firms will kill 700,000
jobs. “Now is not the time to raise taxes – not on job creators”, Chambliss
added, quoting President Obama from earlier this year.
next deal, but above all the government has to cut spending. He then pointed out that the
next deal must broach serious entitlement reform, the primary expenditure choking the country. By eliminating a host of
tax deductions, Congress can lower overall tax rates while generating over $1.3
trillion in revenue. True to his conservative roots, Chambliss stressed that the
economy needs to get working again. Tax increases on private firms will kill 700,000
jobs. “Now is not the time to raise taxes – not on job creators”, Chambliss
added, quoting President Obama from earlier this year.
Murray countered that the Senate had passed a bill extending
the Bush tax cuts for 98% of Americans, yet Chambliss properly responded that
the bill passed on a party line vote, and furthermore the House should not agree.
A common-ground solution must attract widespread support from both parties.
the Bush tax cuts for 98% of Americans, yet Chambliss properly responded that
the bill passed on a party line vote, and furthermore the House should not agree.
A common-ground solution must attract widespread support from both parties.
I was impressed by the comity and candor of the two
Senators. Neither rising stars nor firebrands in their caucus, they presented
an attitude of compromise instead of attack. Following that collegial
conference, I expected that both sides would find common ground to cut
spending, reform entitlements, and provide a pathway for economic recovery.
Senators. Neither rising stars nor firebrands in their caucus, they presented
an attitude of compromise instead of attack. Following that collegial
conference, I expected that both sides would find common ground to cut
spending, reform entitlements, and provide a pathway for economic recovery.
Unfortunately, two weeks later Senator Chambliss has decided
to break Grover Norquist’s “Taxpayer
Protection Pledge” that he had
signed. In a recent telephone conference call, Chambliss submitted that the
times have changed since then, and this country needs flexibility to discuss
meaningful reforms.
to break Grover Norquist’s “Taxpayer
Protection Pledge” that he had
signed. In a recent telephone conference call, Chambliss submitted that the
times have changed since then, and this country needs flexibility to discuss
meaningful reforms.
Chambliss predicted that Norquist will endorse a challenger
against him in his 2014 reelection campaign.. “I care more about my country
than Grover Norquist”, Chambliss submitted at the end of the conference.
against him in his 2014 reelection campaign.. “I care more about my country
than Grover Norquist”, Chambliss submitted at the end of the conference.
Following Chambliss’ open decision to break the “No New Tax”
pledge, Norquist
argued that Chambliss must explain himself
to his constituents in Georgia for choosing to break his pledge not to raise
taxes.
pledge, Norquist
argued that Chambliss must explain himself
to his constituents in Georgia for choosing to break his pledge not to raise
taxes.
I do not doubt Mr.
Chambliss’ patriotism. I respect his interest to be independent. He wants to do
the right thing, and let the political consequences fall where they may. Every state
should welcome that sort of leadership and integrity from their representatives.
Before mounting a challenge against his candidacy, the people of Georgia must
impress on their senator not to raise taxes during the struggling economy which
has not improved adequately under President Obama’s leadership.
Chambliss’ patriotism. I respect his interest to be independent. He wants to do
the right thing, and let the political consequences fall where they may. Every state
should welcome that sort of leadership and integrity from their representatives.
Before mounting a challenge against his candidacy, the people of Georgia must
impress on their senator not to raise taxes during the struggling economy which
has not improved adequately under President Obama’s leadership.
The Republicans may have failed to take the Senate or the
White House, but their stable majority in the House of Representatives testified
that the majority of Americans do not support tax increases. Senator Chambliss had
argued that tax increases will hurt businesses and kill jobs. He needs to heed
this concern. Because he loves his country and his state,.
White House, but their stable majority in the House of Representatives testified
that the majority of Americans do not support tax increases. Senator Chambliss had
argued that tax increases will hurt businesses and kill jobs. He needs to heed
this concern. Because he loves his country and his state,.
Georgia voters have been on my mind since Chambliss’ pledge
to break his pledge not to raise taxes. In no way should limited government
conservatives suggest that they will budge unless Democrats are will to budget
for entitlement reforms that protect the programs while providing for their
future. By all means, Chambliss should consider ending all corporate and
agribusiness subsidies and revoke “wealthy welfare”, which includes federally
subsidized homeowner’s insurance for residents who insist along living by
hurricane-battered coastlines. Tax deductions can be on the table, too, but by
no means should Chambliss revoke his pledge without hearing from his
constituents.
to break his pledge not to raise taxes. In no way should limited government
conservatives suggest that they will budge unless Democrats are will to budget
for entitlement reforms that protect the programs while providing for their
future. By all means, Chambliss should consider ending all corporate and
agribusiness subsidies and revoke “wealthy welfare”, which includes federally
subsidized homeowner’s insurance for residents who insist along living by
hurricane-battered coastlines. Tax deductions can be on the table, too, but by
no means should Chambliss revoke his pledge without hearing from his
constituents.
Please contact Senator
Chambliss and tell him to maintain his pledge to protect jobs, encourage
wealth, and stand by the best interests of his state and the country.
Chambliss and tell him to maintain his pledge to protect jobs, encourage
wealth, and stand by the best interests of his state and the country.