If Grover Norquist can have his pledge...why not me?
Silly me, when I first heard about Grover Norquist’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, I thought it was not only a dumb idea that would never catch on, but also inconsistent with the oath of office our elected officials pledge when they take office.
Well, apparently I was wrong on both scores. Today, over 1100 local, state and national officeholders have signed Mr. Norquist's pledge – including almost 300 or our congressional officials. Regarding our congress people, when they are elected and sworn into office they promise these words:
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
But Norquist had other ideas. Here is his pledge for officeholders to be signed, dated, witnessed, and returned to Americans for Tax Reform:
Taxpayer Protection Pledge
I,___pledge to the taxpayers of the state
of ___and to the American people that I will:
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.
Signature Date
Witness Witness
At first, I thought the part about “mental reservation or purpose of evasion” would be compromising, because of a predisposed commitment about taxes. Well, apparently Norquist says it is OK to do this.
So, I decided to learn more about him, and found we actually had a few things in common. We both were politically active in our teen years (he with Nixon, I with the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor party); later we both became active in presidential campaigns (I was state chairman of the Stevenson run); and maybe even we share some of the arrogance of this Norquist quote: “When I became 21, I decided that nobody learned anything about politics after the age of 21.”
Given the seeming approval of a taxpayer pledge vis a vis the Constitution, and a commonality with Mr. Norquist, I thought: “if Grover Norquist can create a pledge and get elected officials to sign it…why not me?” So I did. And, here it is:
Taxation Pledge
>I, ____pledge to the American people that I will raise taxes in a progressive and fair manner, as needed, to keep our nation fiscally healthy, protect valued social programs; and strengthen our education, infrastructure, and defense of our country when required. I sign this pledge without reservation, in accordance with my mandated oath of office in which I have promised to “defend the Constitution of the United States”.
Signature Date
Witness Witness
After all, if Grover Norquist can have a pledge, why not Myles Spicer? Neither of us have had elected office (although unlike Norquist I am a veteran of the USAF, honorable discharged from the Reserve with rank of Captain, and with a Service Disability, which should give me a little added credibility). He believes he has proven that such taxation pledges are not inconsistent with the Constitution (although I claim mine has even a bit more efficacy in that regard). If that is true, all in all, I think I have just as much right as to demand that Americans pay up – in a fair and progressive system – as Norquist has in his demands that we should never pay more taxes. In fact, I think if I can get some political leaders to sign my pledge, instead of Norquist’s, we will have a better, healthier, happier, more vibrant and successful America than the one Norquist envisions. A stronger Democracy and more robust economic one, too.
Yes! The Myles Spicer Taxation Pledge has been launched. Now, if I can just get a few gusty politicians to sign it! Or, maybe you think BOTH are pretty stupid? Point made!