Norquist’s pledge to “never” raise taxes shows that he does not trust Republican elected officials to be able to make decisions that are best for the country. In general, the people who have signed his pledge are interested in a smaller government than we currently have. That’s clear. Yet, every so often it might be important to raise taxes. The context might call for raising taxes.
Reagan raised taxes – so did George H.W. Bush. They are both in the Republican Hall of Fame. They didn’t want to raise taxes, but felt it was necessary. After President Bush Sr. raised taxes, the American economy began its longest period of uninterrupted growth in its history.
Even Arthur Laffer believes there is an optimal level of taxes (and tax rates), but it’s not at 0. Imagine some future world where our federal government was so small that we could not defend ourselves. We come under attack, yet those Norquist Republicans (and a few Democrats who’ve signed it) cannot raise taxes to help the DoD defend America.
Sorry America ;(. We pledged never ever to raise taxes.
