OPINION:
Of the many misleading statements our president has made, there are three that certainly border on falsehoods:
First, Mr. Obama said numerous times during his campaign that no one making less than $250,000 a year would pay “one dime in additional taxes.” With the George W. Bush tax cuts about to expire, this not only misrepresents a previous statement of a purported fact but is blatantly untrue. Furthermore, there are enough taxes and fees in the health reform bill to choke a horse, and those certainly are going to become a reality for folks making more than and less than $250,000.
Second, the president repeated several times during the campaign that under his health care reform package, people would “absolutely” be able to keep their current doctor. However, under the law passed by Congress, many people may have to choose from a list of doctors provided by the government.
Third, during the campaign, Mr. Obama said more than once that he would reach out to politicians on the “other side of the aisle.” He made the bold statement that Americans would have a chance to weigh in on all the important bills presented to Congress and read such legislation on the Internet before the final vote so they could be informed of the details. Instead, we have seen massive bill after massive bill ramrodded through Congress with little debate and practically no input or feedback from those on the other side or from the general public.
The president’s promise of transparency has turned into a series of opaque head-fakes. How many more misdirected campaign promises will we have to endure before someone stands up and calls out this administration for its deceitful behavior?
ROB WEINHOLD
Dale City, Va.
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