On the Wednesday, June 10, Hannity show on FNC, host Sean Hannity showed a pre-recorded interview with actor Craig T. Nelson, who repeated his recent suggestion that taxpayers should refuse to pay as long as their money is being spent by the government irresponsibly, and this time tied in Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's failure to pay thousands of dollars in taxes. After recounting the government’s lack of "fiscal acuity," Nelson continued:
And I'm saying to myself, "Wait a minute. What if each of those withheld as much as Timothy Geithner withheld? You know what? We're not going to pay that." ... It would say to the government, you know, we're protesting the way you're doing it. I didn't know I was responsible for this bailout. I really didn't know. I wasn't asked about it. There were companies that went under. Aren't we a capitalistic system? Aren't we free to do that?
Below is a complete transcript of the interview from the Wednesday, June 10, Hannity show on FNC:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓SEAN HANNITY: Craig T. Nelson stars in the new movie, The Proposal, which opens in theaters June 19. Let's take a look.
[SHOWS CLIP FROM THE PROPOSAL]
HANNITY: Now, earlier, I sat down with Craig to talk about the new movie and, not surprisingly, politics.
HANNITY: All right, I have read some stuff that you have recently said.
CRAIG T. NELSON: Yes, I did say it. I'm going to get arrested, I am sure. The IRS is going to come for me.
HANNITY: You're not going to pay-
NELSON: I'm so mad. I'm angry. First of all, California, where it's, like, a wholly-owned subsidiary or a hedge fund, depending on what, we didn't even have to wait for the earthquake. We are now just floating away. And here I am, as a grandfather and a father, and I'm watching the first things that they're talking about hitting are education and firefighters and police. Why?
HANNITY: Doesn't make sense.
NELSON: Education to me is the most important thing that we've got going in this country. I mean, a lot of my family are teachers. I was the recipient of a great public education, and I see that's one of the first things that we're going to go, what are we going to raise? The ignorant masses.
HANNITY: By the way, most people with a public education are usually liberal Hollywood activists, so you know, something must have happened. You must have-
NELSON: I grew up. I grew up.
HANNITY: That's true.
NELSON: I grew up. I had great teachers.
HANNITY: But not only that. Look at, for example, 25 percent of New Yorkers are thinking of leaving New York. They're taxed almost as high as California. It's going to be higher when it's all said and done. So you're right about California. You're thinking, is it true about not paying income taxes?
NELSON: Well, what I'm thinking is that, if I'm a fiscally responsible person and investor, I'm going to invest my money in a company that's bankrupt? I'm going to go to a bank that is not, doesn't have any fiscal acuity? And that's our government.
HANNITY: That is, it's worse than that.
NELSON: And I'm saying to myself, "Wait a minute. What if each of those withheld as much as Timothy Geithner withheld?" You know what? We're not going to pay that.
HANNITY: You do that, I do that, we're going to be arrested. Listen, I mean it sincerely, Timothy Geithner-
NELSON: Do you think that a lot of us, en masse, doing the same thing, standing up, we're not a representative form of government anymore. We're not being represented. We have lobbyists who are petitioning for certain favors, certain grants. And here we are-
HANNITY: So you're saying we hold back what tax cheat Geithner didn't pay? Hold back that amount of money?
NELSON: Just that amount, would change a lot of things.
HANNITY: I like that.
NELSON: At least would-
HANNITY: I like that idea. Now the IRS is going to arrest me with you. Great.
NELSON: It would say to the government, you know, we're protesting the way you're doing it. I didn't know I was responsible for this bailout. I really didn't know. I wasn't asked about it. There were companies that went under. Aren't we a capitalistic system? Aren't we free to do that?
HANNITY: Supposed to be. But they're taking over the car companies. They're telling CEOs what they can get paid. They're taking over financial institutions. They're doing, you know, all these things. And they're doing it for our own good, though. You remember Ronald Reagan saying-
NELSON: I don't want to be told what's for my good.
HANNITY: The worst words in the English language, "I'm from the federal government, and I'm here to help."
NELSON: Yes, I understand. And I'm watching the vets come back. And I'm saying, why aren't they taken care of? To me, that's an item on the first agenda. The other is education. I mean, I worked some with Dogs for Vets, guys who need help. And to me, it's just unfathomable that we're not taking care of these people, that we're not saying, you know, from get-go, "You guys are going to be guaranteed an education, you men and women."
HANNITY: And your kids.
NELSON: "And your health care."
HANNITY: Easy.
NELSON: Please. "You deserve it."
HANNITY: One of the things, I work with a charity, and, you know, we raise money for a scholarship fund so every child of every soldier that has given their life for us, and believe it or not, we don't have any money set aside for them for that.
NELSON: Right.
HANNITY: If we're not going to help those guys out after they gave their all for us, we are really failing morally in our responsibility.
NELSON: It's an obligation. But there is no accountability anymore. And, you know, to me, there's a lack of responsibility, where the lies become truths. I mean, we are, as Scott Pettic said, people of the lie-
HANNITY: It's a great book. I read it.
NELSON: What happened?
HANNITY: Yes.
NELSON: Where did that, where did that start? You guys aren't responsible. You don't have to be.
HANNITY: What do you make of, there is a certain segment, and I would argue a growing segment, of society that believes the false hope, the false promises that are laid out there by the government, that they'll provide your health care and your daycare and your baby bond, and they'll pay for college. And meanwhile, we've quadrupled the debt in one year. We're going to quadruple the deficit in 10 years. We're going to be paying $1 trillion on debt, on interest payments on the debt. You know, why, what about these people that think government should be doing everything in their life?
NELSON: Well, Sean, to answer your question, I'm 65 years old. I just took out my Social Security, because I think I deserve it. And I wanted to get it before it was gone.
HANNITY: It's going to be going soon.
NELSON: And welfare for my unions. My union's broke. So I felt, like, this was something I was promised, and then I worked for it.
HANNITY: You paid it. That's your money. Yes.
NELSON: Exactly, so why, why, then, is it, like, their bank account? I want it for me. I want it for my retirement. But more importantly, I want it for my kids, you know. I want to see my kids grow up in a world that I grew up in, which was it had imagination and it had hope. And all of a sudden, I see that being dissolved, and I see, as a country, as a people, we are a republic. We are a democracy. These people represent us.
HANNITY: But don't you see, it's, look, I think there are well- intentioned liberals, really, that want to do the right thing, "Kumbaya" liberals. They just, we share and you share, we'll all get along together. But I also think that there are very sinister people that are in this for the power. And they understand that the more people are dependent, the more powerful they become, because people have to go to them for whatever their needs are in life.
NELSON: If that's true, and I think it is, there are people like the American people. There's a great mass of us out there. They're sick and tired of it. They're not going to take it anymore.
HANNITY: You ever think of-
NELSON: Peter Finch.
HANNITY: You're the actor. Go ahead.
NELSON: "We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore." Go ahead, open your windows. Raise your blinds. I mean-
HANNITY: It's true.
NELSON: But that's how this country was founded.
HANNITY: Tell me about your latest project: movie, and you've got a series coming up?
NELSON: Yes, I've got The Proposal, which is a movie with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, coming out.
HANNITY: I always liked Sandra Bullock. Is she nice? She's a great actress.
NELSON: Oh, yes. And Ryan is a great guy. Mary Steenburgen and Betty White.
HANNITY: She's really a liberal. She is so left-wing.
NELSON: Oh, yes, but she's funny.
HANNITY: You've got to send a message to her. Tell her to come on the show, and we'll debate.
NELSON: Oh, Betty, you're going to love her.
HANNITY: I will not love her.
NELSON: You'll be a changed man. You'll be a changed man. I've got a series coming out, Parenthood. And Jason Katims, came into, is a writer and creator of Friday Night Lights wrote this. And Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are producers. And I'm doing a movie right now called The Company Men with Tommy Lee Jones.
HANNITY: He's a great actor. I love him. Even though I don't know how he didn't get contaminated by Al Gore's, you know, carbon footprint, but-
NELSON: The greatest thing about it all is the compassion and forgiveness that we've got to have.
HANNITY: That's true. I'd agree with that.
NELSON: You know, it's compassion and forgiveness. That doesn't mean that we can't be forthright. And please, you know, stand up.
HANNITY: And that is all the time we have this evening.
—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.



















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Comments Policy
Unfortunately Coach, you
June 23, 2009 - 07:18 ET by gmaniac1Unfortunately Coach, you would be drawn and quartered for not paying one dollar enough of what you owe to the government, and it's lazy minions. They write the laws but are not bound by them. It kind of reminds you of Soviet style politics which the left just loves.
When the people fear the government it's called tyranny, when the government fears the people it's called liberty!
Or if you go back further
June 23, 2009 - 07:30 ET by taterOr if you go back further in history...the Pharisees.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
No, they are African and it
June 23, 2009 - 07:35 ET by gmaniac1No, they are African and it would be racist for us to talk about them. Oh wait, I'm part African so I'm immune from that I think. LOL, but being a conservative makes me an Uncle Tom for not following the liberal massahs;)
When the people fear the government it's called tyranny, when the government fears the people it's called liberty!
Wow...
June 23, 2009 - 07:47 ET by moderncommentaries83What's in the water in Hollywood that these celebrities are coming out with their disgust over our government and the left-wing politics of their fellow celebrities?
Good for Craig T. Nelson.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
BEND OVER CRAIG
June 23, 2009 - 08:23 ET by AJBHow much do you want to bet the IRS will now get out it's proctoscope and go full speed after Craig? The Truth Squad will not stand for challenges to the almighty's authority to rape and pillage the US Treasury.
Yep
June 23, 2009 - 09:27 ET by EllisWyattYeah Craig, better get a good tax lawyer on retainer NOW. The audits are coming.
If you're not outraged at the media, you haven't been paying attention.
Of course, if even one
June 23, 2009 - 08:50 ET by nolotrippenOf course, if even one percent of Americans physically and vocally gave the IRS the shaft it deserves (the IRS representing our non-representational government), it would bring the whole country, and the justice system, to a screaching halt.
So, is this the next tea party? No taxation without representation? Hmmm.......
taxation without representation??? Try living in MASSACHUSETTS!
June 23, 2009 - 10:55 ET by Cape ConservativeYou write to your senators and representatives and then they do as they damwell please - of course, the great unwashed knuckle-dragging masses (THEIR EMPLOYERS!!) know NOTHING!
GRRRRRRRRRRR!
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
FINALLY!
June 23, 2009 - 09:58 ET by G. MayThe first real suggestion for fixing these problems that actually has some TEETH! Any call for open revolt is going nowhere. Secession wouldn't gain traction. Voting is not going to cure the problem. Sitting around in newsrooms and internet forums whining about it won't help. So hit the gubmint where it hurts - the pocketbook.
It's really about the only way an American citizen can be heard. The problem is that it can run you afoul with the law (unless you're applying for a job in the Obama admin). However if enough people do it, there is no way to enforce the law and it would force the hand of congress.
Talk about a REAL tea party.
Audit
June 23, 2009 - 10:09 ET by dmambroseThe damn govt audit me last year for $50.00. Timmy gets away with thousands and the govt goes after me for $50.00. This government is messed up and just try to suppress people. How in the heck is this freedom when people are playing with differnent rules.
How is it freedom?
June 23, 2009 - 10:40 ET by CentaurWell, it is freedom because they say it is, :) Just like giving our sovereignty over to the UN on domestic policy issues is protecting us and making our country safer - I found this today; check it out:
http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={B4C2416A-04A4-49BD-AE7D-D8221AF15661}
Check out what has been going on in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Britain: it will tell you where we are headed if we don't bring these guys to a sudden halt.
"I watch the skies, for it is mine to watch, Badger, as it is your's to remember." -- Glenstorm
Nelson
June 23, 2009 - 10:29 ET by jessieHjessieH Yes, WE would go to jail if WE refused to pay our taxes......So, let's have a NATIONWIDE STRIKE. Let's show these idiots in washington just who is really in charge. The Truckers can't do it alone. The dock workers can't do it alone. But, WE the PEOPLE shure can........................
GT Nelson should be
June 23, 2009 - 10:40 ET by buddycGT Nelson should be careful. I believe that is a potential violation of Federal law and NY law. While I agree with what he said, I would hate to see him prosecuted.
Go Craig T. Nelson, Go ! ! !
June 23, 2009 - 11:18 ET by 1611LilacLadyYou just gotta love this guy!!!!!!!
Isaiah 5:20a Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil. . . KJV
April 2009
June 23, 2009 - 12:08 ET by sevenI read the april treasury receipts were unexplainably low. Now if you got fore closed or fired, I suspect if you owed, many did not remit their arrearage. Someone tell Obama unemployed people would be a source of tax revenue if they had work.
Good luck with that, Mr
June 23, 2009 - 12:17 ET by Another Dead KennedyGood luck with that, Mr Incredible. Typical for an actor to not want to pay taxes. I get your point, but I hardly think you're suffering. How much do you make for 1 month of work on a movie? 5 Mil? 10 Mil?
And apparently it's typical
June 23, 2009 - 13:27 ET by G. MayAnd apparently it's typical for an Obama appointee to not want to pay taxes either (or just cheat).
His point was not about suffering, it was about irresponsible use of our money by the government.
Did you have a point to make, or did you just miss the point of the post?
Here's a point. Every
June 23, 2009 - 13:37 ET by Another Dead KennedyHere's a point. Every actor in Hollywood who speaks out is considered irrelevant here, unless they're a conservative. In that case, they're worshiped, even when they suggest something idiotic like not paying taxes. Nelson is speaking out because no one knows who he is anymore and he's hoping to be relevant again. At the Jon Voight still gets work. But really, you should take Nelson's advice and not pay your taxes. See how that works out for you.
How about the census?
June 23, 2009 - 14:10 ET by slickwillie2001I'm more interested in Michele Bachmann's suggestion that we refuse all but the most basic information during the upcoming census. Given that the Bamster has clearly politicized the census by moving it into the White House, and it is a near-certainly that the ACORN Crime Syndicate (likely with a new name) will be key players in conducting the census, should we think about protesting their actions in this way? Is this acceptable civil disobedience?
Thank God Coach is here to
June 24, 2009 - 07:06 ET by CacciatoThank God Coach is here to dispense his wisdom regarding the American tax system.
Now if we could just get Balki Bartokomous' advice about how to deal with our healthcare crisis, Carl Winslow's insight on how to best handle Iran, & ALF's five step plan to curbing North Korea's aggression we'd have a perfect replacement cabinet for Obama