Lindsey Graham Latest Republican to Admit GOP Tax Plan Is All About Keeping 'Financial Contributions

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Common Dreams

Published on
Thursday, November 09, 2017
by Common Dreams


"Republicans are literally out here warning each other that their big donors will stop writing checks if they don't do their bidding."
byJake Johnson, staff writer


Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Thursday became the latest Republican to admit the GOP is trying to ram through massive tax cuts for the rich to satisfy its wealthy donors, telling a journalist that if the party's tax push fails, "the financial contributions will stop."

David Sirota, reporter with the International Business Times, responded by noting that it is both "laudably honest for Graham to admit this" and "a repulsive glimpse of how politicans see so many public policies as private financial transactions between them and their donors."

Graham's remarks came as Senate Republicans prepared to unveil their tax legislation which, like the House version, would deliver massive tax cuts to wealthy individuals and large corporations.

As Common Dreams reported Tuesday, Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) has made a similar comment recently, complaining that his donors are pressuring him to pass tax cuts or "don't ever call me again."

Read more: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/09/lindsey-graham-latest-republican-admit-gop-tax-plan-all-about-keeping-financial

[lagomorph777]

1. So can we PLEASE start calling it Trump's Middle Class Tax Hike?

If even Lindsey Graham can say something honest, certainly Dems in Congress can do the same, right?

[FreeStateDemocrat]

2. So Graham, the WEASEL, will be knocking people out the way to be the first to vote for it!!!

[Angry Dragon]

3. I call it nothing more than accepting a bribe---prison for them

[lagomorph777]

5. Supreme Court has legalized bribery

c.f. Citizens United and US vs McDonnell.

[Angry Dragon]

8. A very poor ruling

claiming a corp is a person

[lagomorph777]

9. McDonnell's even worse than Citizens United.

[Angry Dragon]

11. I am not sure what is contained in that ruling

[lagomorph777]

12. ex-Virginia Governor McDonnell was convicted of taking bribes.

It was a pretty open-and-shut case. SCOTUS ruled that it's perfectly fine.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-rules-unanimously-in-favor-of-former-va-robert-f-mcdonnell-in-corruption-case/2016/06/27/38526a94-3c75-11e6-a66f-aa6c1883b6b1_story.html?utm_term=.66ed96326857

[Angry Dragon]

13. Okay ---Thank you

I do remember it now

[FiveGoodMen]

18. Article says the SC decision was unanimous

RBG was on-board?!

[lagomorph777]

21. WTF?

I had forgotten that part.

[Dustlawyer]

19. Last I checked a Quid Pro Quo is illegal.

Too bad there are no investigations or enforcement of this law.

This is what is wrong with our political system at the core. Politicians of BOTH Parties rely on donations to stay in office. One Party relies more on billionaire donors and corporations than the other, but by a matter of degree.

We need to demand an end to this system so they are not constantly chasing donations and can focus on the problems of the country, not creating them because of special influence.

[Angry Dragon]

20. I agree

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Pay to play. nt

[lagomorph777]

6. Is this on video or audio?

Hopefully it will be on a loop for days on the TeeVee.

[BigmanPigman]

15. I saw it on MSNBC today.

A 10 second clip but he said it and he was NOT kidding. I couldn't believe he admitted to it on camera.

[PatSeg]

7. Hmmm

Is Graham thinking of retiring too?

[mdbl]

10. why the fuck are we paying these people salaries and gold plated healthcare

when all they care is about is their greedy bastard donors?

[louis-t]

14. Please tell us who these 'donors' are so we can

stop patronizing them.

[diva77]

16. That's right - it's not 'party first' for rethugs it's 'whatever their wealthy donors want first &

foremost.'

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

17. My vote cannot be bought

It can, however, be rented.

[TryLogic]

22. Donations for tax cuts; tax cuts for donations. quid pro quo

Can someone tell me why this is legal.