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Rep. Allen West Says He’s Willing to Discuss Tax Increases If…

During a town hall meeting in Pompano Beach, Fla., Rep. Allen West (R-FL) said something that turned a few heads: that he’s willing to talk tax increases as a means of balancing the budget but only after wasteful spending and other fraud has been weeded out.

“How can we balance the budget without raising taxes?” one attendee asked.

“There are many things we can do in Washington DC. Last year, as a wet-behind-the-ears freshman, by April I found three wasteful programs in the Department of Defense. It saved the American taxpayer $357 million over 10 years,” Rep. West responded.

“But, the question is this: If every single member in the House of Representatives, every single member in the Senate, went in on the committee of jurisdiction and oversight and they did the same thing, find $350 million in wasteful programs over the next 10 years, get it and eliminate it, think what happens for our budget,” he added. “We get ourselves on the road to being able to balance this thing.”

And this is the part that a few left-leaning sites claim is a concession on the part of Rep. West [emphasis added]:

Now, once we get to a point where we have waxed out the federal government, we have eliminated a lot of that waste, fraud, and abuse, then it certainly comes to the American people to talk about raising taxes as a means to make sure we keep our debt and our deficit at a manageable level.

However, he added an important piece of clarification: “[R]ight now isn’t the time to raise taxes.”

“When you have a debt at 102 percent, I’m not going to come to you and ask you to raise your taxes. I’m going to our work, look at where we can cut back, to get ourselves back…responsibly,” he added, according to POLITICO.

Watch Rep. West’s remarks (via Thinkprogress):

Comments (120)

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  • readyfornov
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:44pm

    I must be in a really baaaaaad dream. Allen West is OK with raising taxes and Sarah Palin endorses RINO Orin Hatch. Somebody tell me what the crap is in the water?

    Report Post »  
    • SwoonCraft
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Ditto

      Report Post » SwoonCraft  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 2:07pm

      Here’s a thought. Make the 47% that are paying no federal income tax, pay something. Stop all free handouts to lazy losers.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 2:14pm

      I found three wasteful programs in the Department of Defense. Would like to see the verification that it was West found this wasteful spending on his own. But I do give him credit for focusing on defense, the biggest example of the federal ATM.

      Report Post »  
    • marhee9
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 3:32pm

      I was also very disapointed in the Sarah Palin endorsement of Orrin Hatch. She would have been the last conservative I would have expected to see endorse a 36 year Rino. Sad times indeed.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwGq8e23LOc

      Report Post »  
    • BlackCrow
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 3:41pm

      If I give you a quarter could you pay attention?

      Now, once we get to a point where we have waxed out the federal government, we have eliminated a lot of that waste, fraud, and abuse, then it certainly comes to the American people to talk about raising taxes as a means to make sure we keep our debt and our deficit at a manageable level.

      However, he added an important piece of clarification: “[R]ight now isn’t the time to raise taxes.”

      Cut the fraud waist and abuse, make cuts and then and only then raise taxes. If you believe fraud waste and abuse can be eliminated from an organization as large as the federal government that is what worries me. The only way to do that is to drastically shrink the size and scope of that government.

      Report Post » BlackCrow  
    • Belchfire V-8
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:07pm

      Actually Jrook, the Pentagon is16%, the do nothings with their hands out are MUCH higher.

      Report Post » Belchfire V-8  
    • lordjosh
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:51pm

      Mr West, If we cut all the waste at the Federal level there would be nothing left to tax for.

      Report Post » lordjosh  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 7:47pm

      @readyfornov
      It’s your republican party at work. Still think they are ready to make the hard decisions that are necessary to reduce the size of the federal government???

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • FreedomsQB
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 9:03pm

      Sarah just stepped down a couple of rungs on the “I think she knows what she is talking about” ladder. Orrin Hatch?? ORRIN HATCH????? I take back all the times I defended her as someone who was concerned about America, concerned enough to take the arrows. She clearly is getting paid to overlook all the Orrin Hatch “baggage”. She isn’t anywhere near as principled as she held herself up to be… am I wrong???

      Report Post » FreedomsQB  
    • recoveringneocon
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 9:33pm

      A sample of Allen West’s Voting Record.

      2012-2013 Budget (unbalanced) Yea
      Authorizes Development of Oil Shale Resources Nay
      Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 Yea
      National Defense Authorization Act Yea
      Increasing the Debt Ceiling Yea
      2011-2012 Budget (unbalanced) Yea
      Extension Patriot Act Provisions Yea

      Does this look like the voting record or a Freedom Loving Patriot?
      Conservative my @ss!

      Report Post » recoveringneocon  
    • Abysmal
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 1:35am

      Allen West is disingenuous. If 535 member of Congress each find a program that eliminates $350M over 10 years (equally $35M/yr on average), then we are talking $18.7 billion of savings a year, or less than 1.5% of our current deficit. That leaves us firmly planted on the road to financial disaster, especially considering the deficit is rising at a rate higher than 1.5%/year.

      Furthermore, balanced approaches (fancy word for raising taxes while cutting spending) toward austerity do not work. Here is more information for those interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQu7V9pMK48

      Report Post » Abysmal  
    • centenium
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:52am

      If I were West I would make this same concession. Is numbers only add up to about $18B annually in savings for wasteful government spending but I think if the congress hears the American People and cuts things like EPA, OHSA, USDA, FCC, Dep. Of Energy, Dep Of Ed, all parks programs, all medical research programs, etc. you will find there will be no need to raise taxes as there would be a surplus that would put our debt down relatively quickly.

      Report Post » centenium  
    • neoconenemy
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 10:58am

      You can keep your head buried in the sand or you can open your eyes and realize that republihacks are the biggest frauds in America’s body politic. West has already been a tremendous disappointment he is just a Boehner lackey.. … voted to increase the debt limit and voted to extend the patriot act. I’ve never been fooled by Palin. Now we want to put another fraud in the white house to replace Obama. And people wonder why things only get worse.

      Report Post »  
    • Tax Revolt
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 12:58pm

      Listen people, what Rep. West is saying is common sense. As a conservative wanting to conserve our nation, I can stand by him on this. I just hope that he is willing to increase taxes by eliminating loopholes first as this will bring some of the 47% that don’t pay into the system. Once we have a balance and surplus, we can talk about lowering the adjusted gross income tax percentage. All of us Americans are partially responsible for the mess we are in and it will take all of us Americans to fix it.

      Report Post »  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:41pm

    I like Alan, he says a lot of good things, but he is just another RINO in the end. He could not even support Ron Paul when the rubber met the road. We need *real* tea party representatives.

    Report Post »  
  • TangLaoYa
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:41pm

    There are two reasons why spending has to be maintained at current levels.
    1. Votes must be paid for with patronage and other government transfers.
    2. Regulations that favor large campeign doners over their competition are expensive to enforce.

    Efforts to reduce spending are evidence of a corrosive honesty that is creeping into politics.

    Report Post » TangLaoYa  
  • Dexter Alarius
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:40pm

    You don’t need to raise taxes.
    You need to cut spending, eliminate regulation, and reduce taxes which will allow the economy to grow– leading to increased revenue.
    Get with the program, Colonel!

    Report Post » Dexter Alarius  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:55pm

      He is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and voted for Pigsford .. he then tried to walk it back saying he “didn’t know what Pigsford was” .. yet he voted FOR it. He has a lot of good qualities but I can’t say I TRUST him to do the right thing.

      Report Post »  
    • seldomscene
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 10:50pm

      What the hell kind of ray gun is being used on them? They suddenly sound as mentally damaged as John McCain. What’s up? Seriously.

      Report Post » seldomscene  
  • ScarletRose
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:32pm

    There Is NO EXCUSE for ev en being willing to discuss tax increases at this time.

    There is no excuse for ANYTHING but deciding which Fed agencies and Depts should be immediately shut down and that they WILL shut down Fed Employee and Politicians PENSIONS in so far as they extend BEYOND what the INDIVIDUAL PERSON has personally already paid into the account, and SHRED the UNION PAY SCALE of ALL fed employees who are on UNION SCALE, and dismantle the SEIU. AND “SENIORITY ”rights”.

    Report Post » ScarletRose  
    • floridaborn
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:46pm

      I agree. Why should I have to pay more in taxes when my government spends millions each year sending their various departments on luxurious vacations every year and calling them meetings?
      Do you think the government has ever heard of GoToMeeting.com? That’s the only “meetings” my company gets anymore!

      Report Post »  
  • MittensKittens
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:31pm

    One problem here, how are your going to get the politicians to cut their own wallet???

    Report Post » MittensKittens  
    • ConstitunalAmerican
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:11pm

      Its the Government that has wasted all this money and those wasters in the Government, whether Congressional or Senators voting in wasteful legislature, Pelosi, Reid, the GSA, the train to nowhere, the excess Chicagoans working baggage at WH, Energy concerns, and the list goes on, should be the ones responsible. Why should the American people, again, be responsible for this waste, abuse and fraud?

      Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:20pm

      rock and a hard place

      Report Post »  
  • sjohn70037
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:30pm

    West you need to quit hanging around with your Black Caucus buddies. Your brain is turning to sh*t.

    Report Post » sjohn70037  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:56pm

      Exactly .. he should denounce and resign .. from CBC

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Cut the blasted Fed back, tame the spending and get to work on the debt!

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • SubHuman
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:29pm

    It’s never time to raise taxes. West is not only betraying conservative principle but displaying his economic ignorance. You broaden the tax base and lower the rate. You can’t bring in more tax money when you stifle private industry and have punitive taxation on the rich. The fact that West is willing to consider tax increases – ever- is a sign that he will betray us and the nation. He already did by signing the NDAA. We have a long way to go as a nation, before we have a body of representatives that align with the founder’s view of capitalism and liberty.

    Report Post » SubHuman  
  • hi
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:27pm

    Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. No one would mind payng taxes if everyone were taxed the same low percentage and if the taxes weren’t wasted, squandered,abused, and given to lazy butts. Get rid of all of the progressive programs and let people keep their money and invest in retirement themselves. Personal responsibility and cheerful giving should be our motto. The only way to stop the fraud is to give the government less and less money, not more.

    Report Post » hi  
  • ShyLow
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:27pm

    Allen West is a joke

    Report Post » ShyLow  
  • jnobfan
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:26pm

    I am a big fan of my Congressman CAW but if history has taught us ANYTHING its that no matter how much money you give Washington they will spend more.

    Report Post »  
  • rede911
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:26pm

    It makes sense to consider anything and everything when trying to figure out how to dig out of this mess. Unfortunately government cannot be trusted. Whatever “reforms’ or “cuts” are given to secure tax increases will easily be voted away when the political environment changes. The only way to ensure that congress will live up to any deal is to enforce it through a constitutional balanced budget ammendment. Unti we have that, I say NO WAY to tax increases.

    Are You Ready? http://www.BigRedE.com

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:25pm

    The problem with that is Col. West, Democrats have never found ANY spending they considered wasteful.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:55pm

      Pass a balanced budget amendment…and we’ll talk. Anything short of that is more D.C. B.S.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 2:05pm

      Democrats consider tax cuts as wasteful spending.

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 2:17pm

      Excellent poit R&S, they sure do. Letting you keep the money you earn is wasteful spending!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • D-Fence
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 6:43pm

      No better man to stand beside if the SHTF.

      Report Post » D-Fence  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:23pm

    cu the fraud,cut the waste,trim departments and stream line the process and we wont have to raise taxes..if ever…washinton is a bloated money machine

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
    • USPATRIOT101
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:32pm

      Don’t forget to fire the 40 czars, their staff and close their offices.

      Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:22pm

    Cut spending period!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:22pm

    It doesn’t sound too unreasonable to “talk” about a tax increase down the road after cutting the spending and weeding out the fraud and waste. But he never should have mentioned it in this present atmosphere. He will get pounded for it. Still, he is my favorite politician. As politicians go………..

    Personally, I believe that if we stopped ALL the foolish spending and waste and go to a flat tax across the board, we wouldn’t need to raise taxes.

    Report Post » Rational Man  
  • Recceman90
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:21pm

    Let’s stop this lie of cutting taxes over a 10 year period….it never happens! Cut taxes THIS year, make the difference NOW. GUT regulations, and drop Corporate Income tax to 15% or better yet a 10% flat tax for EVERYONE, no deductions….oh and end welfare!

    Report Post » Recceman90  
    • USPATRIOT101
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 2:26pm

      I also like Trumps suggestion of raising import taxes to “inspire” non union manufacturing here in the US.

      Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
  • bharris0
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:18pm

    Before taxes are raised, the unconstitutional parts of government need to be eliminated, like the TSA, FDA,DEA, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Education, Dept of Energy, and at least %50 of the defense budget.
    Also ALL czars and their minions need to go as well as Obamacare.
    The entire federal government needs to shrink by at least %60.

    Report Post »  
    • CanadaKen
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 2:06pm

      I agree, get back to the constitution and the freedom the founders intended.

      Report Post » CanadaKen  
    • SimpleTruths
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:47pm

      Let’s get back to whale oil lamps and mule teams while were at it.

      Report Post » SimpleTruths  
    • FreedomsQB
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 8:56pm

      Funny, but the Dept of Education is doing such a bad job that the smartest kids are the ones who are dropping out…. who‘d be stupid enough to sit through 12 years of the crap they call primary education and who’d be even more stupid, than to pay tens of thousands of dollars for the crap they call secondary education? Soon the fiat currency will be worth the education it will buy… nothing at all!

      Report Post » FreedomsQB  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:16pm

    I don’t know why anyone would think we could tax our way out of this hole,we have a spending problem not a revenue problem.Government raises tax rates they take in less revenue,they lower the rate and take in more.We’re 144 trillion in the hole,hell if the idiots in D.C could tax the world they still couldn’t get us out of it.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:37pm

      And… we have an Economy that has been Regulated… to Death!

      I would kill all Regulation, but promote US Production… and let Greed run wild… where Revenue would Increase… while decreasing Spending/Entitlement/Budgets/Debt… increase penalties for Economic Crime & Treason… while keeping a strong Military… get rid of Illegals… then, worry about Control later!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:43pm

      …perfectly stated..that simple logic and arithmetc should be apparent for everyone…but we live amongst some real idiots and even dumber politicians….

      Report Post » Mark0331  
  • Popp40
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:16pm

    I hope he was talking about raising taxes on the 47% who ARE NOT PAYING ANY TAXES AT ALL. Everyone needs to have skin in the game….unitl then it is not fair. Now before anyone says that the poor can not afford it….please take a long look at our “poor” compared to the world’s poor. You will see a big difference, but to be fair they should still be paying something….even if it is a small portion. I think we should do a Flat Tax….so everyone pays.

    Report Post »  
  • Gripes
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:14pm

    I seem to remember Reagan trading a tax hike for spending cuts. As I recall, those spending cuts never materialized. I seriously doubt that the left made the bargain in good faith at all. Allen West should not ever suggest that he would consider raising any taxes. Anything he might bargain for in trade would not happen. Dishonesty is so bred into the left that they are predictable. They talk sweetly and think falsely. They believe their own lies and forget their promises so reliably that we can depend upon them to do the wrong thing every time.

    Report Post »  
  • Cloth Stews
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:12pm

    I have always thought I would be willing to have a tax increase (back to Clinton rates) when that amount of additional revenue will balance the budget.

    Report Post »  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 6:20pm

      the problem with that is our spending is so out of control that wouldn’t nearly fix the problem,

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:11pm

    Yeah, right, they just need a little more crack cocaine…..

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 1:11pm

    What Military Strategy supports… giving the Enemy your position… so you can negotiate?

    Report Post » lukerw  
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