Judging from Florida House Speaker Cretul’s quote, he seems to think that responsible people break promises they make to others sometimes (raising taxes). Is this acceptable? Responsible legislators don’t raise taxes on their constituents, especially when they can least afford it. Responsible people look to solve problems (cutting excessive spending), rather than looking to patch them with taxes on a declining source of revenue (cigarette taxes). Read Speaker Cretul’s quote below which can be found in the St. Petersburg Times(context-Speaker Cretul discussing cigarette tax increases) :
"Responsible people at times may have to do something that might be different than the position they staked out. And to be so close-minded, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do and it doesn’t serve the citizens of the state of Florida. I’m sure that Mr. Norquist, will have a comment when I cast my vote. So be it."
-Speaker Cretul
One more thing, he refers to what Grover Norquist might have to say. Speaker Cretul made a commitment to the people of his district and the state of Florida when he signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, this was not a pledge to Grover Norquist. The taxpayers of Florida are the people he is accountable to for his pledge, many of which spoke out at the tea parties on April 15th.