[twister881]

Coburn’s gone to the dark side — willing to raise taxes. Also taking cheap shots at the military during a town hall meeting yesterday. He needs to go back to OK now and regain some degree of sanity.

[tom h]

"Coburn’s gone to the dark side — willing to raise taxes. "

I claim to be as conservative as anyone else at Free Republic, yet I would not dogmatically say we should NEVER raise taxes. Give Coburn a break; here's why:

I'd vote to introduce a national sales tax ONLY if the income tax and property taxes were abolished, with a revenue neutral goal in mind.

I'd vote to raise gas taxes only if the general revenue contribution to the Federal Dept of Transportation was reduced, meaning a revenue neutral approach.

If I was Coburn at a time of divided government, I'd sometimes vote to raise taxes as part of a compromise just to get something done. Meaning, I'm glad the tea party held its ground last month but sometimes they will have to be practical. Don't give up core principals, but be practical. I think the days of one party getting its way, all the time, are gone forever.