Um, this may seem like a good idea to Republicans for them to sign these pledges, promising not to tolerate raising taxes, or not to tolerate homosexuals, or not to tolerate abortion, or whatever it is they want everyone to be super-happy about them promising not to do, but this is an invitation to disaster, both public and private. Signing one of these “pledges” simply makes sure that there is no flexibility open for any compromise on needed deals on important issues within congressional jurisdiction, and that’s a really bad idea. (I pledge not to tolerate it!)
Remember George H.W. Bush’s “Read my lips: No new taxes!” quote? So do most people, but not for the reason he was hoping! Well, if you sign a pledge promising not to do something, anything, you know (or you ought to know) that the Democrats will naturally try to find a way to force you to break that pledge in order to agree to support something you really need to get passed: That’s the way it has always worked, and it still does today, and it still will tomorrow; and both sides do that same crap to try to make the other side look bad all the time: it’s nothing new. But when you define yourself by signing one of these pledges, you invite this kind of problem/attack: it’s just that simple. And the more of the pledges you sign, the more you box yourself into a corner, so you have no wiggle-room to work with for compromise on any deal we as a country need, and it’s really harmful to everyone (especially you) when you do that! Plus, after a while, you may not even remember what all you’ve signed anymore, so you’ll be even easier to trick into betraying one of them. And then, you’ll have your very own: “Read my lips: No new taxes!” moment!
It’s just stupid, and a bad idea all-around. We need politicians who can get things done, and most of the country wants bi-partisan solutions, which are less and less possible when you box yourselves in and limit the scope of your ability to negotiate. What ever happened to letting your word be your bond? And don’t actions speak louder than words anyway? All of this “pledge” stuff is a serious problem, both for us, and for you Republican politicians. But it’s really easy to avoid too: simply don’t sign any of these stupid “pledges” to begin with! (Unless it’s a pledge not to sign any more pledges: Now that would be very welcome!)
