As the General Assembly debates raising the cigarette tax to pay for growing Medicaid costs, many questions have been raised about the "no new tax" pledge. Some have asked whether, in a tight budget year, it makes sense to hold those politicians who signed it to their promise to their constituents.

The answer is yes. That pledge was made by one-third of the members of the S.C. Senate and almost half of the S.C. House, many of whom signed it in better economic times. It is more than just political posturing -- the pledge is a contract with voters based on the philosophy that government is growing too big and too fast.

The groups who sponsor the pledge represent taxpayers who believe lawmakers don't have the right to ask them for more money until every program has been reviewed and eliminated if no longer necessary or affordable.

Elected officials who sign the pledge signify their support for taxpayers who, in turn, trust their elected officials to be responsible stewards of their tax dollars. That may seem naive, but it is still the right way to govern.

The pledge is a powerful accountability tool -- it allows policy makers to think more than twice before increasing taxes.

The pledge gives lawmakers the freedom to stand up to special interests, whose only agenda is pushing for more dollars for their particular interest, often to the detriment of other South Carolinians who may need it more. Some elected officials have broken the pledge in the past, not just in South Carolina, but in other states as well. Most of them no longer hold office because the voters did not agree that raising taxes was necessary.

Contrary to what some suggest, it takes more courage to honor the tax pledge in the face of political pressure and slow economic times than it does to break it.

Taxpayers recognize that giving government more money does not always lead to the achievements promised. Certainly, our education system has not improved dramatically over the years with a much larger budget. And Medicaid spending increased by 43 percent over six years, and raising the cigarette tax will not stem that tide of growth for long. In fact, South Carolina would need a cigarette tax every year to keep up with Medicaid growth unless the program is reformed and cut.

The pledge is easy to keep when times are good and government coffers are growing, even as new programs are created and the old ones automatically funded. But when economic times are tough, and citizens are tightening their belts, too many elected officials are tempted to rationalize a tax increase and hope the voters understand.

Politicians make a conscious decision to sign the pledge. We should assume that decision is not simply a politically expedient one, but one based on thoughtful consideration of the belief it represents. Some lawmakers may break the pledge, but they have the responsibility to explain to the voters why it was necessary to go back on a campaign promise. If the need is as great to raise taxes as some insist, then some voters may forgive the pledge break. However, they also have the right to vote that person out of office.

Like former President George Bush found out in 1992, when you say "read my lips: no new taxes," the voters will remember if you break that pledge.