Utah legislators' 'pledge' puts economy in danger

Editor,

America is facing severe economic difficulties if the "fiscal cliff crisis" is not settled by December 31, 2012. The Tea Party, under guidance of Grover Norquist, is demonstrating "no compromise," It has primary leadership and control within the Republican Party. Norquist, an unelected lobbyist-activist, has 279 pledges signed by Republican legislators not to vote to raise taxes on anyone, under any circumstances.

House Speaker Boehner’s negotiations on fiscal cliff issues are dictated by the Tea Party, and the Grover Norquist caucus. He is recognized as a central person in the fiscal crisis, unrelenting in obstructing negotiation on tax increases.

Utah legislators are also hard-core advocates of the Tea Party. They provide voting support on tax issues according to their tax opposition pledge. It’s inevitable that Senator Mike Lee, Representative Rob Bishop and Representative Jason Chaffetz, will vote the Tea Party line on tax bills and debt limit extensions. Commitment to the Tea Party pledge is paramount, regardless of adverse effects on the economy. The last time the debt limit was considered, Senator Lee voted against it, contributing to reduction of the United States credit rating.

Most people want diligent efforts made toward balancing the federal budget and making payment on the national debt. Such effort requires sacrifice to achieve increased revenue and adjustment in entitlements--a balanced approach.

Troubling that fact that our legislators signed the Norquist pledge to support Tea Party doctrine, a position far right of historical Republican Party ideology. This puts the Republican Party into disjunction, with two identities. Which identity is sustainable?

Also troubling is sustained public support of legislators, regardless of quality of legislative decision-making. Senator Lee, adhering to his Tea Party pledge, voted against raising the national debt limit, which has been raised numerous times in the past. He voted to put America into default and economic chaos, to wreck America’s credit rating, and to bring about spiraling interest rates.

Still, Senator Lee continues to have popular, sustaining support. Serious consideration of Senator Lee’s intention to cause terrible damage to the economy, investments, employment, interest rates, etc. is not reflected in his public standing.