The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a written commitment taken by candidates and elected officials promising never to raise taxes.

In this episode, Grover Norquist explains why the pledge was created, who signs it, and how it changed incentives for politicians at every level of government. From the 1986 Tax Reform Act to presidential campaigns and state tax reform, the pledge became a clear contract between officeholders and taxpayers.

By forcing politicians to control their own vote rather than rely on vague promises, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge reshaped elections, restrained tax hikes, and helped define which party voters could trust on taxes.

The real political divide in America is not left versus right.

It is the Leave Us Alone Coalition versus the Takings Coalition.

In this episode of Leave Us Alone, Grover Norquist explains how these two coalitions compete over tax policy, spending, and the size of government. The discussion breaks down who belongs to each coalition, why the Takings Coalition constantly pushes for higher taxes, and why the Leave Us Alone Coalition must stay united to protect taxpayers.

This episode explains politics the way it actually works, through incentives, not slogans.

This week on Leave Us Alone, Grover Norquist is joined by Mike Palicz and James Erwin for a brief discussion on rising healthcare costs, Obamacare affordability, and end-of-year battles in Washington.

The episode then features a special guest interview with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN), who explains what the Republican Whip actually does. Emmer breaks down his role counting votes, communicating with House members, and helping move legislation across the House floor in today's political environment.

The conversation also covers the failures of the Affordable Care Act, including widespread fraud in expanded Obamacare subsidies and how those subsidies funnel taxpayer dollars to insurance companies rather than patients. Emmer discusses making the Trump tax cuts permanent, fights over must-pass legislation like the NDAA, and why he signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to protect taxpayers from higher taxes and runaway government spending.