GOP ‘Right People’

Re “Now the ‘In’ Party, GOP Gets Stars’ Attention,” June 13:

Conservative strategist Grover Norquist’s appreciation of the “manly” stars rallying to a GOP agenda that trashes the weakest members of our society, undermines our economic future and ignores the public health implications of gutting crucial environmental legislation is hardly surprising. As millionaires, these stars are the direct beneficiaries of the Republican policies favoring the rich.

Norquist’s addition of Ed Begley Jr. to his list of “Wrong People” is very revealing. The “wrong people” give selflessly of their time and freely of their money to causes that benefit humanity, not their tax bill. Wrong person Ed Begley Jr. lives the life he advocates, shunning limousines for an electric car or his bicycle, living a modest, low-consumption lifestyle. In the five years I have known him, Ed was there for us and numerous other environmental groups when we needed him, no questions asked. Ed’s leadership comes not from his celebrity, but from his integrity and deep personal commitment.

Coming from a strategist for a party that thinks we have too much clean air to breathe and too much clean water to drink, Norquist’s elevation of Ed Begley Jr. to his “wrong people” list is the greatest badge of honor since Nixon’s enemies list. Ed, I congratulate you.

DAVID ALLGOOD

Southern California Director

California League of Conservation Voters

Los Angeles