You would have thought the notorious, presidential-campaign declaration “Read my lips: No new taxes” — uttered by George H.W. Bush in 1988 — would be sufficient warning to future candidates. Don’t go on record with pledges that can never account for unforeseen circumstances – and could come back and haunt you politically.
And by the way, swearing allegiance to Grover Norquist’s “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” is not just a symbol of ideological commitment. It’s also a graphic example of irresponsible policy – and blatant pandering.
And Florida has its share of state legislators (seven senators, 22 representatives) — plus Gov. Charlie Crist — who are now on the spot because of a seemingly safe Norquistian pledge made during better times that they “will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” And for good measure, they put it in writing.
Many pledgers — all but one, Republican — are now anxiety ridden as Florida confronts a $3 billion budget deficit. They have several options:
*Break their pledge and vote for some tax increases and say, in effect, “times had changed” but they meant well in a Ronald Reaganesque way.
*Break their pledge but try — hypocritically and disingenuously — to wiggle around it by labeling their votes as favoring hikes in “fees” and the additions of “surcharges.”
*Keep their pledge, hope others’ revenue-raising votes will make up for it, and further hope that voters will remain gullible about their self-serving motives.