DEMOCRATS TO CHANGE 185 YEAR-OLD HOUSE RULE TO ALLOW TAX HIKES WITHOUT HAVING TO VOTE

National Review Online ^ | 5/16/07 | Jonah Goldberg

[libertarianPA]

In a stunning move, House Democrats today revealed they will attempt to rewrite House rules that have gone unchanged since 1822 in order to make it possible to increase taxes and government spending without having to vote and be held accountable. House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today vowed Republicans will use every available means to fight this unprecedented change.

“This is an astonishing attempt by the majority leadership to duck accountability for tax-and-spend policies the American people do not want,” Boehner said. “The majority leadership is gutting House rules that have been in place for 185 years so they can raise taxes and increase government spending without a vote. House Republicans will use every tool available to fight this abuse of power.”

Last November, House Democratic leaders promised the most open, ethical Congress in history:

“[W]e promised the American people that we would have the most honest and most open government and we will.” (Nancy Pelosi press stakeout, December 6, 2006)

“We intend to have a Rules Committee ... that gives opposition voices and alternative proposals the ability to be heard and considered on the floor of the House.” (Steny Hoyer in CongressDaily PM, December 5, 2006)

The rules House Democrats are seeking to change have not been changed since 1822.

Republicans have already achieved significant legislative successes on the House floor with 11 consecutive “motion-to-recommit” victories that exposed flaws and substantively improved weaknesses in underlying Democrat bills. But rather than living by the same rules which have guided the House of Representatives for 185 years, Democrats are proposing to change the rules in order to game the system and raise taxes and increase spending without a House vote. What are House Democrats afraid of?

[libertarianPA]

Republicans are fascists?

[SMARTY]

Why not just chain me to my desk at work.

[tumblindice]

BOHICA! “open, ethical” Democrats

[Hans]

Be careful what you say, you might be next on their list.

[reegs]

This sounds an awful lot like taxation without representation, if you ask me.

[tfecw]

"House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today vowed Republicans will use every available means to fight this unprecedented change. "

While I don't know about this John Boehner (tough name by the way) I've got a feeling this crusade will be more about pandering the conservative base than protecting the american people from more tax and spend governemnt.

[pillut48]

BRING IT ON!!!

[sionnsar]

Last November, House Democratic leaders promised the most open, ethical Congress in history:

Consider the source. Liars all.

[libertarianPA]

Oh please. I wouldn’t trust Mr. Prescription Drug Plan to do a d@mn thing about it.

[MortMan]

I’m confused. How does the article spur your question about Republicans being fascist?

Did I miss something?

[Badeye]

Boehner is a good man, fighting a helluva fight under bad circumstances. The more you learn about him, the more you will like the guy. I’m here in Ohio, not in his district (I’m stuck with Jean Schmidt) but he’s a conservative to the core.

[CrawDaddyCA]

This sounds an awful lot like taxation without representation, if you ask me.

It sure does...remember what happened the last time the people started shouting that phrase?

I'm no right-wing nut, but the writing is on the wall, a serious confrontation between the psudo-elites and the common people is brewing.

[Lurker]

Bush will just wait for SCOTUS to declare it un-Constitutional like Campaign Finance Reform.

Oh wait....

L

[Diogenesis]

The Congress, ignoring the borders and American security,
interested only in its own welfare, apparently using 'judgement' at its typical 5 watt level,
must feel that a civil war is warranted.

[libertarianPA]

People call Republicans fascists... then the Dems pull this.

[khnyny]

Bingo.

Congress - another name for leeches.

[tfecw]

Thanks for the info, it seems like a lot of good folks have been coming out of Ohio lately.

[KarlInOhio]

Has any thread covered how the "motion-to-recommit" works and why if the Dems eliminate it, it would allow them to pass taxes without voting on them?

[TChris]

That whole “no taxation without representation” thing was just getting in the way. Best to do away with it so the Ruling Class can have their way.

[MortMan]

Gotcha. Your comment was a juxtaposition of assertion versus reality.

Sorry for being so dense!