To the Editor:
Scott Brown is not for us?he has said that he acts as an independent voice for Massachusetts and represents his constituents, but he fails to mention that he is actually beholden to Grover Norquist, the Republican lobbyist and operative. Scott Brown has signed the Norquist no new tax pledge, vowing to: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.
Politicians should never make open-ended pledges, particularly to a private citizen with a strategy to shrink government by forcing huge cuts in programs important to millions of Americans. When asked about the disenfranchised, Norquist responded: “They need to learn to take care of themselves.” Even President George H.W. Bush stated that, “The rigidity of those pledges is something I don's like?the circumstances change and you can's be wedded to some formula by Grover Norquist.”
The pledge makes it impossible for those who have signed it to represent their states, because Norquist and his money will oppose anyone, during their next election campaign, who breaks the pledge. For this reason, Representatives who have signed the pledge will not compromise because they fear for their jobs and they fear Grover Norquist. They cannot fully represent their own constituents. The Norquist Tax Pledge eliminates the concept of careful thought and compromise.
Whenever a politician claims, like Scott Brown has, that he will strongly support his constituents, we constituents deserve to know whether that support is conditional on not interfering with his prior pledge to Norquist. No one can claim independence if they have promised to make opposing any tax increase their top priority in discussions about debt reduction. Our representatives need to act effectively and compromise when necessary.
We need a Senator who will be an advocate for Massachusetts, not Grover Norquist, a private citizen in Washington, DC. Please join me in voting for Elizabeth Warren for United States Senate.
Lisa J. Talbot
Shrewsbury
