As our Congress tries to negotiate the fiscal cliff one of the major difficulties is that many members have pledged not to raise taxes. This ridiculous pledge is to Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

But members of Congress have taken a more solemn pledge in their oath of office.

A few have now decided to abandon their “no taxes” pledge if it interferes with governing.

I am not sure if this is encouraging news or it is discouraging that there are only a few of these brave souls. I would think it fairly obvious that the oath of office trumps a “no taxes” pledge to a private party.