Enough with the pledges
Regardless of the substance, these purity tests executed at the barrel of a gun should make politicians of all persuasions think long and hard about putting pen to paper at their political peril.
For one, the problem with politics isn’t a lack of pledges — it’s a lack of willpower and voter accountability. Politicians make promises to voters by the mouthful while campaigning, and there’s already a handy solution in place to deal with those who ignore them: Vote them out of office. The onus is on the electorate, and pledges shouldn’t be any more powerful or binding than promises.
For another, they are, for the most part, redundant. Few Republicans would argue with the need to lower taxes or for the imperative to raise them. Further, who among them would argue with the need to cap spending levels and balance the budget, as was directed in the “Cut, Cap and Balance” pledge? Of course these are good things to do and good conservatives should do them, but should they sign their political futures over just to commit to someone’s ideological gimmick?
Some pledges seem ruthless in their consequences and, well, a little self-important. Sen. Jim DeMint promised to withhold his endorsement from any presidential candidate who failed to sign his Cut, Cap and Balance pledge.
Blowback
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No more msnbc “conservatives” giving advice
Joey24007 on November 28, 2012 at 8:53 PM
Hmm. Well, pledges force people to do things they might waiver on later. Kinda like…term limits.
Anyway, if Republicans could be trusted in the first place, no one would even need pledges.
Dongemaharu on November 28, 2012 at 8:54 PM
For two, the problem with politics isn’t a lack of pledges — it’s a lack of willpower and voter accountability… to stand behind those pledges.
petefrt on November 28, 2012 at 8:56 PM
What if the “deal” was to raise the tax rate on the 47% who pay zero taxes to a measly 2% rate so they have a vested interest in our government. Would Norquist say “No”? These pledges are stupid.
Norbitz on November 28, 2012 at 9:00 PM
S.E. actually IS a conservative (and was excellent while a part of Fox’s “Red Eye”. I think it was some type of a foreign-exchange program that brought her to
Intellectual SiberiaLSDNC.Myron Falwell on November 28, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Yet another CLOWN applying Saul Alinski principals to a simple agreement to NOT raise taxes.
I wonder if she learned about her far left tactics while watching Glenn Beck?
Freddy on November 28, 2012 at 9:03 PM
No, the problem is low-information voters are so disengaged (read: stupid) that they can be persuaded by simple-to-digest statements like “Senator Blowhard broke his promise to never ever commit Political Sin X!” rather than become educated and informed on the deeper issues before they vote.
alchemist19 on November 28, 2012 at 9:04 PM
You’re actually BOTH correct.
But only the liberal/Socialists have never really lessened their devotion to their cause, which always has been taking over all aspects of our nation and imposing their will on it.
They can issue litmus tests all the time on conservatives (re: those stupid “repeal Roe v. Wade” questions) in order to thoroughly disqualify them from any political office. Only the smart ones know how to advance (obviously, Mourdock and Achin’ didn’t) but even THEY are targeted with a scarlet letter on their forehead.
It works for the liberal/Socialists, because they aren’t targeting themselves with ideological purity tests and will come out generally unscathed. Not to mention those litmus tests appeal to the stupid voters, who will ALWAYS vote Democrat.
Myron Falwell on November 28, 2012 at 9:16 PM
If it’s what you believe, sign it. If it’s not, don’t. There’s no reason to raise taxes(on those that pay them). Not with this level of stupid wasteful spending.
I could look at SE all day long. Listen to her? Well,, not all day.
wolly4321 on November 28, 2012 at 9:21 PM
Enough with criticizing the tax pledge, if there’s one thing all Republicans should agree on it’s that they’re the party against government stealing people’s money, if they’re not against that then there’s no point in voting for Republicans.
clearbluesky on November 28, 2012 at 9:27 PM
The only reason for pledges is that the GOP cannot be trusted. I would love to live without pledges. Let your word be your word.
Unfortunately, the GOP has not been very trustworthy. They have been less trustworthy over the last 14 years and getting worse every election since. The only saving grace in this time has been the Tea Party. Not even George W. Bush’s war stance was very beneficial for conservatism. First he failed to get Osama Bin Laden because even after the attack he went in light. Then he allowed them to bog him down in Pakistan, entered Iraq as if the waring sides there were going to welcome us, getting stuck in another quagmire. then started the hearts and minds mumbo jumbo. The rest of Bush’s time was equally damaging. The temporary tax cuts that are now being used against conservatives. The housing boom and bust. TARP. No Child Left Behind. The comprehensive immigration reform…
Anyone know of any place where Bush actually forwarded the goals of conservatism? Nay place at all? No?
astonerii on November 28, 2012 at 9:31 PM
He did an excellent job after 9/11 and in keeping America safe. Outside of that he was an unmitigated disaster.
alchemist19 on November 28, 2012 at 9:39 PM
He did it with a police state. Destroying freedom to protect it?
astonerii on November 28, 2012 at 9:43 PM
S.E. Cupp…..Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
NeoKong on November 28, 2012 at 9:49 PM
She’s got more conservative credentials than most (if not all) of the senior Republican senators, at least two of the last five Republican presidents, and 50+% of the pundits on Fox.
WeekendAtBernankes on November 28, 2012 at 10:32 PM
What rubbish writing by SE Cupp. Earth to SE, we don’t have a revenue problem, WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM!!!
RedRobin145 on November 28, 2012 at 11:05 PM
I trust S.E. more than Norquist, if that says anything.
thebrokenrattle on November 29, 2012 at 2:44 AM
What about the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all ? Is that ruthless and self-important? What about that, Miss Cupp? Don’t shuffle papers and consult your lawyer, Miss Cupp. The American People are waiting for your answer, Miss Cupp.
Seth Halpern on November 29, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Oh God I am like so totally apologizing to you Miss Cupp.
Seth Halpern on November 29, 2012 at 11:15 AM