Norquist and I agree!

I was thinking about writing more on the Bush tax hike proposal for Social Security, but it seems Grover Norquist of all people beat me to the punch:

The chief economist at the Chicago investment bank Griffin, Kubik, Stephens & Thompson, Brian Wesbury, who has advocated in favor of the planned accounts, said he was "shocked" and "disappointed" by the president's comments.

The idea would be so disastrous economically and politically that it would be better that the president not do personal accounts at all, Mr. Wesbury said.

"This would be the equivalent of his father breaking the 'Read my lips' tax pledge," he said. Mr. Norquist went farther, saying the tax increase would be "even worse, because it would show we didn't learn last time."

Removing the cap completely would push marginal tax rates to their highest levels since the Reagan tax cuts of the 1980s, calculated Mr. Wesbury, a former chief economist for the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. The top marginal tax rate would reach 53%,he said.

(snip)

"Getting accounts in exchange for raising taxes is an exchange that will be a net loss to society and to the Republican Party," he said.

Congressional Republicans privately doubted that the idea would get anywhere on Capitol Hill.

Disaster in the wings, it seems.