The TCOTS Douche Nozzle Prize…

…is awarded to freshman Republican Representative Rick Crawford of Arkansas for making a left turn at a reckless speed.

From the Arkansas News, Peter Urban reporting, we learn [tip of the fedora to Wombat-Socho's Live At Five]:

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, today proposed raising taxes on wealthy Americans despite signing a campaign pledge to oppose any new tax increases. Crawford plans to introduce legislation on Monday that would include a 5 percent surtax on income above $1 million as part of a broader deficit-reduction plan that would include a balanced budget amendment.

As a candidate, Crawford signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge that is championed by Grover Norquist-led Americans for Tax Reform.

…

During a television interview on his hometown ABC affiliate KAIT-TV, Crawford said his bill would serve as a compromise for a gridlocked Congress to address the nation’s $15.5 trillion debt.

“The balanced budget amendment is supported by roughly 75 percent of Americans. The millionaire’s tax, roughly 65 percent of Americans, so you’ve got one side saying, ‘Let’s tax millionaires,’ the other saying, ‘Let’s do a balanced budget amendment.’ So my bill basically brings the two together, and says ‘Let’s compromise,’ ” Crawford said.

The proposal drew harsh criticism from other conservatives opposed to tax increases. Crawford estimated his 5 percent surtax on income above $1 million would raise $40 billion annually.

“Obviously, our organization disagrees with Congressman Crawford’s position,” said Teresa Oelke, Arkansas state director of Americans for Prosperity. “The problem in Washington is not a taxing problem it is a spending problem."

…

Daniel Horowitz at the conservative Madison Project blasted Crawford as a “sleeper progressive” and chastised the Tea Party for ignoring his voting record.

“Crawford scored a failing 58 percent from Heritage Action and 53 percent from the Club for Growth. But guess what? Crawford has no primary challengers, and the filing deadline expired at the beginning of the month. We are stuck with a progressive OWS congressman from a conservative state for another 2 years,” Horowitz wrote.

Dan Mitchell, a tax reform expert at the Cato Institute, skewered the proposal.

“America’s fiscal problem is a government that is far too big. You don’t solve the problem with more taxes, just as you don’t cure alcoholics by giving them more to drink,” Mitchell wrote on his blog.

“Congressman Crawford, though, wants to give away the keys to a liquor store without even asking for an insincere commitment for future sobriety in exchange. Indeed, the Congressman’s naiveté is so impressive that he is the first winner of the Charlie Brown Award for Vapidness and Gullibility.”

Crawford said that most major accomplishments in Washington happen when both parties work together. That often means each side accepts something they don’t necessarily like.

Well, well, well…it appears Mr. Crawford is either (1) a hopelessly naive fool who has been absorbed into the DC Hive Mind or (2) he is a Stealth RINO, who defrauded the TEA Party folks in Arkansas.

No matter which theory turns out to be the truth, Crawford is deserving of The TCOTS Douche Nozzle Prize.

Congratulations and worst wishes, Congressman.

CRAWFORD DELENDA EST!