The Pledge

THE PLEDGE….
“A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friends” (Proverbs 17:18)
Growing up in NYC for most of my early education, a common occurrence took place every morning at school. All the kids would stand up, put their right hand over their hearts, and pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. When I moved from NYC to Eastchester, NY and then to Lansdale, PA the pledge followed me. I would assume that school age children everywhere in our nation recite the pledge. The pledge of allegiance is an example of a pledge that is unwavering and unmovable. The idea of a pledge is a solemn oath, a guarantee that you will stand by that notion through thick or thin. I use the pledge of allegiance to show an example of a pledge, the way I see pledges. A pledge creates fealty between pledge giver and pledge taker. Since, A United States Congressman is supposed to represent 666,000 Americans as a member of the house, or the entire state as a member of the senate. Oaths of Fealty to special interest groups prevent the Congressman from being responsible to their true oath. That is their oath to the people of their districts, states, country and the Constitution.
I feel that the lack of understand that many Republicans had in making these pledges to any far right group that would support them has created a destructive force in our Government. The one that has created the greatest damage to the political climate in the beltway is the oath to Grover Norquists “Americans for Tax Reform”. The pledge can be found here http://www.atr.org/...(1).pdf …this pledge creates an atmosphere in congress where Republicans cannot act to fix the economy, unless Grover Norquists wishes are enforced. The refusal to create any revenue let any absurd Bush Era tax cuts expire prevent the government from acting responsibly. How can you just cut spending and not expect any money to come in to replace it. It is absurd to believe that the economy exists in a box, as to say a never changing entity where one way is the only way to precede. The global economy requires nations to take an active role in their economic policies. No country on Earth could be taken seriously stating there will be no new taxes, no new revenue, nothing but cuts.
I wonder if these Republican congressmen realized that they were signing their legislative power away to the highest bidder. The party that claims to be responsive to the rights of individuals over government gave their vote away to special interest. The constituents of their districts get no say; Grover Norquist has become the de facto speaker of the legislative power of the GOP. If 660,000 representatives from a district that had a republican representative stated raise taxes, that representative would say I can’t, Grover Norquist wont let me. These pledges have no place in government. They take the power away from the people, the people is who you represent, not the special interest group.
I know Democrats aren’t innocent either in these special interest pledges, however, I do not know of any pledges that any democrat has made to any group that has caused such a strain on a elected official representing their district. I think these pledges are useless and should make their way out of the election process. A simple guarantee to the people would be sufficient. I, promise to represent my constituents to the best of my abilities placing nothing ahead of them but the best path for our nation. When the time comes in an ever-changing theatre of politics, I will represent you over party and special interest. This simple promise would help protect the people over special interest. A refreshing notion in the political climate of the United States.