Politicians should sign this pledge

Republicans sign pledges not to raise taxes no matter what (270 of them in Congress); Democrats sign pledges not to change Social Security no matter what (123 of them). Politics must be brought back to a more moderate center if we are to remain competitive in the global marketplace and deal with our current unemployment woes.

These doomsday pledges serve special interests well but inhibit the good governance we need to move forward. Let’s ask each candidate for office to sign this pledge before she or he receives any support, donation, or vote: “In order to represent my constituents responsibly, I will sign no pledge which commits me to vote yes or no on any issue to the exclusion of all other considerations.”

Earl L. Hoover

Libertyville