The problem with Norquist's obsessive mantra is that it precludes helpful debate about the ways in which government can address the many serious problems in this country which all but the most fanatic libertarian would concede only the government can solve.

For example, the solution to the problem of poisoned peanut butter and other tainted foodstuffs is NOT - and cannot be - lower taxes and deregulation. The solution to the problem of criminal fraud on Wall Street is NOT lower taxes and deregulation. The solution to our crumbling infrastructure is NOT lower taxes and deregulation. Etc.

If Norquist and his fellow travellers were actually able to offer a constructive suggestion as to how these problems might be addressed, it might be possible to take them seriously, but they haven't and they won't because to do so would be to concede that government has a legitimate role to play in our society. I also might respect them a little more if they hadn't doubled the national debt and essentially destroyed the foundations of our entire society during their brief time in power.

Norquist is a media whore who has never held a real job in his entire life. Why he continues to receive this kind of attention is truly inexplicable. And his suggestion that the current financial crisis is the result of too little regulation belies either an ignorance that borders on the delusional or a willingness to lie that knows no bounds.