We Need to Inform Voters About Grover Norquist: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

My impassioned 72-year-old (Now 74, but who’s counting?) friend, who goes by the Twitter name @42bkdodgr, would like to share his feelings about informing voters of the effect Grover Norquist has on the GOP. I am more than happy to oblige.

But first, a personal note from 42bkdodgr:

Many of you may wonder why I chose to use the “ 72 year old friend” as the introduction to my Special Comments. I selected the moniker so readers could see that from my age and life experiences I give a different perspective to the issues of today.

Now for his Special Comment:

Need For A Publicity Campaign

Last week I was having dinner with a couple of friends, college educated, who had owned their own businesses. I would consider both independent voters, one probably leaning more towards the Democrats and the other Republicans.

We were talking about President Obama’s jobs program and Republicans lack of interest in creating jobs. They both strongly believed that infrastructure must be done and that it would require the raising of revenue. They couldn’t understand why the Republicans were against that part of the jobs program.

I told them, besides Republicans not wanting to see the economy improve under Obama, which would help him get elected, the majority of Republicans in Congress have signed the Grover Norquist pledge, that under no circumstances would they raise revenues (close tax loop holes or raise taxes) in any shape, form or manner.

They both said, “Who is Grover Norquist”? After being taken aback by their remark, I went on to explain who Grover Norquist was and what hold he had over Republicans in Congress.

I then realized, that the Democrats have lost the publicity campaign on why we need to raise revenues and why Republicans are against it. I then wondered if they where unaware of who Grover Norquist was, how many millions of Americans where also were unaware of him, and the hold he has on the Republicans in Congress.

If the Democratic Party wants to win this war, and yes it is a war, on the Obama’s jobs program, they must begin a national and cable TV advertising campaign. They must make the American public aware of the Norquist Pledge and the impact it is having on the Republican members of Congress and how it is affecting our economic recovery.

Failure to start such a campaign will have a direct effect on our recovery and the re-election of President Obama.

I wonder how many of your family and friends are also unaware of the Grover Norquist Pledge and what their reaction would be when they find out.

Many thanks again for another thorough, relevant piece, 42bkdodgr. You often say what many of us are thinking and feeling, and we thank you for your unique perspective.