The more I think about the 2016 election, the more I think that the single most important thing we need from our next president is honesty. Yes, we need a good leader. We need someone who understands how the world actually works rather than someone who follows cockeyed academic or ideological theories as if they were accurate. We also need someone who understands how the economy works and who will take actions to promote economic growth rather than the current programs that work to prevent growth. But, I say again, the most important thing is to get someone honest.
Imagine how refreshing it would be to have the president of the United States make a speech or answer a reporter's question and to know that he or she was actually telling the truth. Right now, the credibility of the presidency has been demolished. It's not just "if you like your plan, you can keep your plan, period." President Obama has lied and lied and lied. He has lied about Obamacare and the effects it would have. He has lied about events in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has lied about the economy. He has lied about oil and gas production. He has lied about taxes. He has lied about his own powers. Indeed, it is hard to think of a subject about which Obama has not lied. Right now, the majority of the country just does not believe him when he talks.
Then we look at the candidates. Let's start with Hillary Clinton. She's easy to review. Hillary is possible less honest than Obama, if such a thing is possible. Just listing the lies about her email would take half a page. She's out. Next we have the big noise on the Republican side, Donald Trump. Trump is another liar. Listen to him explain why he used to be a Democrat. He blames it on George W. Bush and his failure to deal with the economy's problems in 2008. Of course, Trump was a Democrat before that, so his answer is a lie. It's not a big deal, but it is indicative of the sort of answers that Trump gives to everything. He is more a replacement for P. T. Barnum than a potential president. And how about Ted Cruz? Just in the last two days he has made a big deal about how Mitch McConnell lied to him and all the GOP members of the senate regarding certain amendments to the transportation bill. Again, this is not exactly an earthshaking issue, but it is a lie being told by Cruz. No other Republican senator agrees with what Cruz has to say. If McConnell had actually said what Cruz now claims he says, then some other of the 52 remaining Republicans would confirm that.
Look, I know that in political arguments, people use hyperbole which can move beyond the strict truth. I also know that things get shaded one way or the other in politics. The truth, however, does not change. Look at Bernie Sanders, Scott Walker and Marco Rubio...or Carly Fiorina. These are candidates who differ greatly on many issues. They are strong advocates for their positions. They have not told lies (to my knowledge) however.
Americans need to believe the word of their president. We need to keep that in mind as we choose the next person to occupy the oval office.
Imagine how refreshing it would be to have the president of the United States make a speech or answer a reporter's question and to know that he or she was actually telling the truth. Right now, the credibility of the presidency has been demolished. It's not just "if you like your plan, you can keep your plan, period." President Obama has lied and lied and lied. He has lied about Obamacare and the effects it would have. He has lied about events in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has lied about the economy. He has lied about oil and gas production. He has lied about taxes. He has lied about his own powers. Indeed, it is hard to think of a subject about which Obama has not lied. Right now, the majority of the country just does not believe him when he talks.
Then we look at the candidates. Let's start with Hillary Clinton. She's easy to review. Hillary is possible less honest than Obama, if such a thing is possible. Just listing the lies about her email would take half a page. She's out. Next we have the big noise on the Republican side, Donald Trump. Trump is another liar. Listen to him explain why he used to be a Democrat. He blames it on George W. Bush and his failure to deal with the economy's problems in 2008. Of course, Trump was a Democrat before that, so his answer is a lie. It's not a big deal, but it is indicative of the sort of answers that Trump gives to everything. He is more a replacement for P. T. Barnum than a potential president. And how about Ted Cruz? Just in the last two days he has made a big deal about how Mitch McConnell lied to him and all the GOP members of the senate regarding certain amendments to the transportation bill. Again, this is not exactly an earthshaking issue, but it is a lie being told by Cruz. No other Republican senator agrees with what Cruz has to say. If McConnell had actually said what Cruz now claims he says, then some other of the 52 remaining Republicans would confirm that.
Look, I know that in political arguments, people use hyperbole which can move beyond the strict truth. I also know that things get shaded one way or the other in politics. The truth, however, does not change. Look at Bernie Sanders, Scott Walker and Marco Rubio...or Carly Fiorina. These are candidates who differ greatly on many issues. They are strong advocates for their positions. They have not told lies (to my knowledge) however.
Americans need to believe the word of their president. We need to keep that in mind as we choose the next person to occupy the oval office.
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