I've been impressed with several GOP congressional representatives that have decided to reject the tax pledges they signed for lobbyist Grover Norquist and his right wing political hammer called Americans for Tax Reform. It's encouraging to see that some responsible republicans have decided to put their constituents and country first for the benefit of our nation.

I'm a fierce opponent of any pledge presented to elected officials by lobbyists. This should be illegal and considered to be criminal conspiracy against the people these signers represent, since lobbyists like Norquist use vicious political blackmail and coercion against any signers that may want to stray from the pledge. An un-elected individual should never have this kind of unilateral influence over the congressional votes of their party. 

Our representatives have only one pledge to uphold; that pledge is the Oath of Office, which binds these people to serve those in their districts to the best of their ability. Our congressional delegates should never be beholden to anyone but the residents in the states they pledge to serve.