Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
That's the question Reason editor Matt Welch asks as he summarizes the completely over-the-top commentary about Grover Norquist these days.
He's not exaggerating. In outlets such as Slate, the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, we're told that Norquist -- a private citizen who argues against tax rate increases -- is a "terrorist," a "stealth tyrant in the glorious tradition of figures like Cardinal Richelieu or Rasputin," an "evil warlord," an "ayatollah." Welch adds:
I think Norquist's success has paradoxically undermined his oft-stated goal of reducing the size of government, because it has given Republicans cheap cover on looking fiscally conservative even though almost none of them have been serious about the hard part of that equation, which is actually cutting stuff. I further think it has incentivized the Swiss-cheesification of the tax code, with preferential, distorting tax treatment doled out to favored constituencies and then given immediate de facto protection from a pledge that only accepts deduction-eliminations when coupled with overall rate reductions. I think the mortgage interest deduction is a plague on our lives and should be junked.
But comparing a citizen's attempts to keep tax rates low with the behavior of murderous dictators reveals much more about the ideology of the analogists than of their target. There is a crucial distinction between a private individual attempting to restrain democratic government and a public tyrant using unrestrained government to suppress democratic individuals.
Disagreeing with Norquist's approach is legitimate. The rhetoric being used to decry opposition to tax rate increases is insane.
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Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
Now that the left has won, their rhetoric seems to have ratcheted up, not down. Those who think we need to dilute our principles and goals of limited government in order to be accepted should take note. Every move toward the left begets not compromise, but a move still further.
Dec '11
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
If the people that actually voted for republicans didn't fundamentally agree with Grover, then nobody would care about Grover.
Oct '11
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
If he was an ayatollah, they'd be showing him cultured respect. If he was a terrorist, Reuters would be forcing their reporters to call him a "combatant". If he was an "evil warlord", Eric Holder would be sending him guns and ammunition. He isn't a freedom fighter like Che, so all we're left with is Hitler and his holocaust of tax sanity. I hope I didn't just plagiarize the NYT.
Edited on November 30, 2012 at 6:18amNov '11
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
While the rhetoric may be insane, it is also effective. The "extremist" label seems to have stuck to Mitt Romney.
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
So true.
Mar '11
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
The liberal perpetual outrage machine has to have someone to feed on. There is a certain sense of déjà vu, difficult not to be reminded of the attempts earlier this year to drive Mr. Limbaugh from the public square.
Aug '12
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
Maybe we should borrow a leftist tactic and accuse the New York Times, et al., of hate speech.
Jan '11
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
The strategy of the left and the press (although I repeat myself) - pick someone on the right, isolate, demonize, humiliate, and condemn. Then portray everyone on the right as exactly like that person
Jun '12
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
Exactly.
The Libertarians (note the capital L) are very nearly as good at demonizing Republicans as the Obamacrats.
Nov '12
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
When men of words, in this case journalists, resort to this kind of name calling and invective they have failed in their calling. They want the power and immediacy of simile - for simile is a kind of mental shorthand - but they don't want to do the work of really coming up with effective imagery. Such exaggerated, idiotic comparisons reveal lazy minds, hasty fingers at the keyboard (to borrow a figure from Nabokov).
Edited on November 29, 2012 at 6:39pmAug '10
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
As Mr Sulzberger was overheard the other day," Mr Norquist, I'd like you to meet Mr Alinsky" .
Mar '12
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
I have more faith in Norquist than I do in the Republicans. Perhaps I can be politically condemned as well?
Edited on November 29, 2012 at 6:47pmAug '10
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
Aw, that's adorable, you poor, naive, deluded, extremist.
When conservatives criticize the media it's obviously a racist violation of the first amendment.
Sep '10
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
Speaking of which, Grover has been scarce on Sesame Street these days. Coincidence? I think not.
Lower taxes? Racist code words.
English language? Racist code words.
Feeling angry? Racist code words.
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
I decry tax increases, but not in a vacuum as Grover would have me do. Why would anyone commit to something removed from world realities?
Perhaps the problem is that Grover's assumptions about tax increases being never necessary is so absurd that journalists will straddle the one making the assumption with the criticism of the assumption itself.
It may not be the best journalism, but it's hardly unexpected.
So if my congressman signs the pledge, World War III breaks out and the military needs a cash infusion, I should expect my legislator to look at a soldier and say, "Sorry Son, I made a promise to Grover."
Talk about anti-intellectualism. No wonder our guys are in trouble.
Sep '10
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
The shrillness of the criticism tells me Norquist has hit a nerve. Maybe they are running scared. After all, if they were confident in their position post-election, Norquist would be irrelevant.
Mar '11
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
The current Administration has gone George Orwell one better. You can't use the same Emmanuel Goldstein all the time; people might get bored with the Two Minutes Hate. If that ever is allowed to happen, they might start thinking.
Aug '10
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
Yabbut, even Grover allows for exceptions to the tax "pledge".
The question should perhaps be, why would anyone commit to allowing Grover Norquist define the phrase "tax increase" for them?
I like the spirit of the pledge, because it's an easily-verifiable way to make sure that a politician is keeping their promise.
On the other hand, am I crazy to think that political candidates should be responsible for drafting their own campaign platforms and making their own promises?
The fact that Norquist is necessary (and I do believe he is necessary) is a symptom of the bigger problem. Even conscientious voters, for some reason, aren't willing to do the work of holding their politicians accountable for their promises, so they rely on organizations like Norquist's to do the work for them.
It really shouldn't be that difficult. Candidates publish their campaign promises, so you keep a printout of 'em and place a red x next to each promise they break.
Edited on November 29, 2012 at 7:24pmJun '12
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
Uh, Percival... Reason magazine is a Libertarian mag, not an Obamacrat mag.
May '10
Re: Is Grover Norquist an 'Ayatollah,' a Terrorist, or Just an Evil Warlord?
For a complete list of possibilities, I always turn to the comic book villain archtypes. Nordquist fits all manner of CBVA descriptions.
Is he a Cult Leader?
Definitely! And maybe a Dominator?
Yes! Then there's the Mastermind.
Nailed him! How about a Cosmic Menace?
Well, it's a bit of a stretch, but watch MSNBC long enough . . . .