David "No comment" Broder:

"The Dean" of D.C. reporters takes time to examine what Grover Norquist is up to - by reading Norquist's recent Washington Post Op-Ed. Broder admits that Norquist is a serious player, and that "his description of what Republicans will do ... commands attention". Broder then writes: (emphasis added)

The consequence of [these tax cut proposals] -- not spelled out in his essay but clearly in his mind -- is a massive rollback in federal revenue and what he regards as a desirable shrinkage of federal services and benefits. In short, the goal is a system of government wiped clean, on both the revenue and spending side, of almost a century's accumulation of social programs designed to provide a safety net beneath the private economy.

Broder continues his essay by noting that Norquist's candor may have political impact - perhaps by energizing Democrats.  Which may be true.   But it's odd that Broder makes no comment about the merits (or impact) of the goal itself. Eliminating "almost a century's accumulation of social programs designed to provide a safety net".

posted by Quiddity at 6/18/2003 12:29:00 PM