The No Tax Pledge-Who does it serve?

25 July, 2011

I saw an editorial comment by "The Springfield Republican" on  July 22, 2011, stating that "GOP candidates today are being badgered to sign all manner of black-and-white pledges that seek to limit their available options...These pledges seek to put the candidate into a box, locking him down, ensuring that he'll support X and oppose Y, no matter what".

This was followed on Sunday July 224th in the New York Times where editorial writer Thomas Friedman stated that he had signed a pledge "...just like those Republican congressmen who have signed written promises to different political enforcers not to raise taxes or permit same-sex marriage..." except his pledge  "...is to never vote for anyone stupid enough to sign a pledge -thereby abdicating their governing responsibilities in a period of incredibly rapid change and financial stress".

As the government tries to find a solution to the debt ceiling crisis through a balanced proposal of  budget cuts and increased revenue the Republican opposition, especially in the House of Representatives, continues to demand no tax increases.  It is no coincidence that within the current congress 236 Republican House members,  2 Democratic House members, and 41 Republican Senators have signed the "Americans for Tax Reform" pledge  which requires signers to pledge never to vote for higher taxes.

"Americans for Tax Reform" is a project of conservative political activist Grover Norquist  who has been described as "a thumb-in-the-eye radical rightist", (The Nation), who is widely quoted for his comments about shrinking the size of government.

In my view, these pledges undermine a person's ability to think for themselves.  This dogmatic thinking automatically denies compromise and makes people unable to see the possibilities.  These restrictive pledges are a disservice to  the American people who want solutions to difficult problems; not intransigence.  But more than anything I want to know that elected officials are working for the benefit of the country as a whole and not just some narrow political interest.

jt