Our goal is to shrink government to the size where we can drown it in a bathtub.

Grover Norquist’s quote, "Our goal is to shrink government to the size where we can drown it in a bathtub," is a provocative and hyperbolic expression of his conservative and libertarian views on government spending and the role of the state. Norquist, a prominent political activist and advocate for tax cuts, is emphasizing his belief that government has grown too large and needs to be drastically reduced. The bathtub metaphor is meant to illustrate his desire for a government so small and constrained that it becomes insignificant and ineffective, unable to impose undue restrictions on individual freedoms or interfere with the economy.

The origin of this quote comes from Norquist’s role in the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a group he founded to advocate for lower taxes and smaller government. Norquist has long been an advocate of reducing the size of the federal government, particularly in terms of spending and regulation. His statement reflects the Grover Norquist Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which has been signed by numerous U.S. lawmakers, promising to resist tax increases and work toward shrinking government.

Norquist’s statement encapsulates a key element of the conservative ideology that prioritizes limited government and fiscal responsibility. He believes that the larger government becomes, the more it infringes on personal freedom and economic growth. By reducing the scope and power of the government, Norquist argues, society can achieve a more efficient, free-market system, where individuals and businesses are allowed to thrive without unnecessary governmental interference.

In essence, Norquist’s quote serves as a call for taxpayer and governmental reform, advocating for a significant reduction in the scope and influence of the state. His use of the dramatic bathtub metaphor conveys his belief that a smaller government would be more accountable, less intrusive, and better able to preserve individual rights and economic freedom. This view aligns with the broader libertarian and conservative argument for reducing government size and spending to promote greater self-reliance and economic liberty.