CARSON CITY – Conservative activist Chuck Muth isn’t known for being shy or retiring. And that’s true even when the target of his wrath is a conservative. That’s why few were surprised by today’s edition of Muth’s Truths, an e-mail newsletter. Here’s what Muth had to say about the plan to fix the budget proposed by Gov. Jim Gibbons:
Contrary to mischaracterizations by some, Gov. Jim Gibbons did NOT sign a “no new taxes” pledge.
Some folks in his administration seem to think that if the governor proposes raising an existing tax that he isn’t breaking the promise he made to voters in 2006. They’re dead wrong….and this is why we ask candidates to sign a WRITTEN statement; that way there’s no mistaking exactly what the candidate is promising.
The actual pledge Gov. Gibbons signed in 2006 reads: “I, Jim Gibbons, pledge to the taxpayers of the state of Nevada that I will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.”
Not “unless they’re old taxes that we’re hiking.” Not “unless they’re called fees.” Not “unless we’re eliminating deductions.” Not “unless the affected industry agrees.” Not “unless an advisory question is passed in two of Nevada’s 17 counties.” Not even “unless God tells me to.”
Actually, that last one probably is the exception that proves the rule.
With that in mind, some 20,000 automated phone messages are going out today and tomorrow in an effort to get the governor back on the reservation. Here’s the script:
“This is Chuck Muth with an important taxpayer alert from Citizen Outreach. Gov. Jim Gibbons has broken his tax pledge by proposing higher taxes on mining and the Internet for the special session of the Legislature going on right now in Carson City. If you think the governor should keep his word and continue tightening the government’s belt rather than raising taxes, Press 1 now to be connected directly to his office.”
Sometimes, even our friends need a gentle reminder. Or a sledgehammer. Whichever works.
Here’s the thing: Muth is right. Gibbons did sign the promise to oppose and veto all taxes. And while the governor has — in the years since — carved out some personal exceptions, the pledge he signed has no such exceptions. That’s why it’s such a silly idea to sign such a pledge in the first place. But Gibbons signed it, and now he has to live with brickbats from the right because of it.
Oh, and just for fun, we dug up the photo of the signing, which Muth personally witnessed. (Maybe that’s why he remembers it so well!) Here it is:
Tags: Jim Gibbons
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Is this the same Charlie Brown Muth who two weeks ago said what the Governor was doing was okay because none of the increases were “mandatory”, in that one didn’t HAVE to have insurance or presumably, live in a veterans home?
Here are some quotes from LVSun, 2/13/10:
“Muth said the restaurant inspection fee increase would clearly violate the pledge. But it’s less clear for the health insurance premium increase. He compared it to a college tuition increase, which Muth said does not violate the pledge.
““You have the option of not going to college. You have the option of not opting into the health care program,” Muth said. “It’s not a mandatory fee.”
There is no law mandating one to extract hard rock material in Nevada nor to run a casino or to have an internet business doing intrastate/interstate business in Nevada or even own a restaurant, so why is Muth upset at any proposals to raise those and other fees when raising fees for college and increasing health insurance premium is not considered by Muth to be breaking the pledge?
Did Muth actually call Gibbons a “friend”? Is he thus only calling upon Republican voters to act? Can one construe Muth’s comments and robo calls as “partisan” in nature? Is Muth’s charity involved in ‘political campaigning’?
Perhaps Muth has overlooked the gestalt of the Governor’s behavior during the past several years. Muth can stop beating his chest about Gibbons and “the pledge” any day now. If Muth bothered to have taken into account the fact Gibbons has been known to take liberty with the truth…texting….escorting women to parking garages or to DC and through airports….etc. then this should come as no surprise. The “Truth” is Gibbons ain’t coming back into the fold the way Muth wants. If the tape Humbert scored isn’t enough to convince Muth that Gibbons could give a rat’s behind regarding accountability then perhaps Muth should buy a clue…tax free of course.