The Biggest Losers

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

More than one-third of the legislators in the Arizona House and Senate, all Republicans, swore fealty to their dark lord and master, Grover Norquist, by signing his "no tax" pledge. Their fealty to this corrupt K Street lobbyist takes precedence over the best interests of the people of Arizona. It is a violation of their constitutional oath of office and constitutes malfeasance in office. They should be removed from office.

Several Republican senators realized the error of their ways yesterday and voted to refer a temporary sales tax increase to voters in a special election. The wingnuts over at Sonoran Alliance blog report that the dark lord and master, Grover Norquist, is most unhappy. Here Comes the Sales Tax Measure?

In this afternoon’s vote, four senators broke their Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a promise they made to their constituents to oppose “any and all efforts to raise taxes.” The senators who broke their commitment to constituents are as follows:

Bob Burns (R-Peoria)
Linda Gray (R-Phoenix)
Barbara Leff (R-Paradise Valley)
Jay Tibshraeny (R-Chandler)

I say kudos to them. It's about freakin' time. The pledge was not to their constituents but to Grover Norquist so that he will not fund a primary opponent against them in a GOP primary. Let's cut the crap.

This kudo comes with a caveat, however. Bob Burns and and Barbara Leff may have voted to send this temporary sales tax increase to the voters, but they are almost certain to campaign against the measure in the special election. Bob "Bluto" Burns said as much last year.

But here are the biggest losers in the Senate whose fealty to Grover Norquist takes precedence over the best interests of the people of Arizona and their oath of office.

Americans for Tax Reform applauds those senators who stayed true to their promise to constituents today by opposing the referral. Those senators include:

Ron Gould (R-Lake Havasu)
Chuck Gray (R-Mesa)
Jack Harper (R-Surprise)
John Huppenthal (R-Chandler)
Russell Pearce (R-Mesa)
Thayer Verschoor (R-Gilbert)

There should be a hard and fast rule for Arizona voters in this year's elections. Let's tell Grover Norquist to pack up and get the hell out of Arizona. He has caused enough damage to this state. Any candidate who has Grover Norquist campaign on his or her behalf or is either endorsed by Americans for Tax Reform or signs its "no tax" pledge should be considered disqualified from serving in public office. Period.

Jim Ward, a Republican running for Congress in CD 5, is the first to sign ATR's "no tax" pledge in 2010. Jim Ward Signs the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in Arizona Congressional Race We have our first biggest loser. Bzzzzzzzt! Disqualified.