Ten best political lies you've been told (Commiecare™ not mentioned)

YES Weekly ^ | 8/18/10 | Brian Clarey

[Libloather]

Ten best political lies you've been told
By Brian Clarey
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

We are no. 1

It’s bearing down on election time again, and as the selfinterested moonbats — uh, sorry, candidates — jockey for advantage, they’re gonna tell some whoppers. One you might hear from the conservative faction is that the US doesn’t need to change anything because we’re already the greatest country in the world. Now, I like living here as much as the next guy, but the numbers just don’t bear out. We are No. 29 in life expectancy, No. 17 in women’s rights, No. 32 in journalistic freedom, No. 13 in quality of life, No. 9 in adult literacy, No. 57 in education spending per capita, No. 151 in GDP growth and No. 37 in healthcare. We are still No. 1, however, in obesity, crime, oil consumption and pride in nationality, for which we’re tied with the Irish. Looks like there’s at least some room for improvement.

Incumbents are in trouble

No doubt you’ve heard the rallying cries for “new blood” in American politics and disdain for “business as usual.” But in reality, most incumbents fared well in their 2010 primaries — when they had any competition at all — and, barring any nasty scandals, most should be able to retain their seats. In the Triad, the only incumbent to lose in the primary was Rep. Earl Jones. In all other state and national races, most incumbents seem poised to stay in power.

Republicans are fiscally conservative

Back in the day, this may have been true. But these days Republicans can blow through cash with the best of them. Remember, before Obama became president and all these guys became born-again budget hawks, a Republican administration burned through a budget surplus through massive entitlement programs for the country’s richest citizens, voted to fund two incredibly expensive wars which still rage today. And let’s not forget that TARP, the program bailing out our banks, insurance companies and auto industry, was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2008.

Democrats oppose big business

Look no further than President Obama to bust this lie: In 2008 Obama took more money from Big Pharma than the entire Republican candidate field combined; he outraised his opponent Sen. John McCain in this field by about 4 to 1. Obama has staffed his Treasury Department with Goldman Sachs alumni, and his vice president, Joe Biden, has been beholden to the credit card industry for so long he was known as the “Senator from MBNA.” And when it came time this year to craft real financial reform, the Democrats, with majorities in the House and Senate and a man in the White House, still left the foxes to guard the henhouse.

The recession has passed

Sure, the guys on Wall Street will get their bonuses this year, but in most parts of the country commerce has ground to a standstill: no jobs, no lending, no home sales, no new businesses. And though recent unemployment numbers may paint a somewhat rosy picture, understand that we don’t count people who have stopped looking for work. Some 15 million of us are unemployed, and many millions more are underemployed. Things may have taken a turn for the better this year, but we are far from out of the woods.

Oil lies

Here’s a fact: We don’t have offshore oil rigs in North Carolina. The reason for this is because there’s no oil out there — or, at least, not enough to make it worth going after. In the same vein, both BP and the federal government say the oil in the Gulf of Mexico has largely disappeared. I’m not buying it, only because both have told so many lies and half-truths since the Deepwater Horizon disaster that their credibility is shot.

A Christian nation

Short answer: No, the US was not founded as a Christian nation — founding father George Washington was not a churchgoer; James Madison was an atheist; and Thomas Jefferson created an edition of the bible removing all references to God and Jesus. John Adams wrote in the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli: “The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian Religion.” And while it’s true that about 75 percent of US adults identify themselves as Christian, it’s equally true that the separation of church and state is a major tenet of our nation.

Illegal immigrants

A few quick factoids: Yes, there is violence at the border — on the Mexican side. El Paso, Texas is one of the safest cities in the country and crime along the Arizona border has been steadily decreasing for a decade. Most “illegals” do not, in fact, deal drugs. And as it stands, being an “illegal” citizen is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor. It is a civil violation, like littering. Also: If someone running for office tells you that she will, upon election, round up all 12 million or so “illegals” and send them back to their countries of origin, that person is lying right to your face.

Math Problems

Yes, we are running a huge deficit in this country, which means that we are spending more than we are taking in. Only two things will reduce this deficit: spending less and taking in more. And because people have become accustomed to things like functioning bridges, social programs (like unemployment for our millions of out-of-work citizens) and a gigantic military force, it means that your taxes are likely going to go up, one way or another, no matter what anyone tells you.

‘Politics as usual’

No matter what side of the ideological spectrum you fall on, chances are you are sick of “politics as usual,” that glib catchall phrase used to describe out-of-control spending, rampant corporatism, stunning levels of corruption, blatant self-interest-serving, backroom dealing… anything about government that pisses you off. Here’s the bad news: No matter how angry you get, how many rallies you attend, petitions you sign, silly hats you wear, the inertia of government will not be overcome. Not this year, anyway. After all the confetti has dropped to the floor in November, we may have a few new faces in federal and state government, but the new boss, as they say, will be the same as the old boss. And that’s the way it will go until we can get more than half of eligible voters to cast ballots on Election Day — not just in presidential years, but every year. The old adage is that we get the government we deserve. And I’m afraid it’s as true now as it ever was.

[Libloather]

From a local leftist rag.

[lonestar67]

It was hard to find any true claims made by the author.

[AlexW]

“From a local leftist rag.”

You forgot to add, “written by a brain dead leftist moron.”

[WhatNot]

We are still No. 1, however, in obesity, crime, oil consumption and pride in nationality, for which we’re tied with the Irish. Looks like there’s at least some room for improvement.

Notice how 'obesity' 'oil consumption' and 'pride in nationality' are all on the same level as 'crime', maybe he is saying that it's now time for some real jack-booted-thuggary, bring on the truncheons, do whatever it takes to get rid of those fat, oil using, evil USA loving hicks.

[WOSG]

“Short answer: No, the US was not founded as a Christian nation — founding father George Washington was not a churchgoer; James Madison was an atheist; and Thomas Jefferson created an edition of the bible removing all references to God and Jesus.”

Lies and mis-statements abound.

Non-church goers are core of Obama’s support.
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/65861

[eclecticEel]

And that’s the way it will go until we can get more than half of eligible voters to cast ballots on Election Day

Why, don't we already have enough idiots screwing things up for the rest of us?

[Darkwolf377]

We are No. 29 in life expectancy, No. 17 in women’s rights, No. 32 in journalistic freedom, No. 13 in quality of life, No. 9 in adult literacy, No. 57 in education spending per capita, No. 151 in GDP growth and No. 37 in healthcare. We are still No. 1, however, in obesity, crime, oil consumption and pride in nationality, for which we’re tied with the Irish. Looks like there’s at least some room for improvement.

Most of these "numbers" are ridiculous, so I didn't read the rest of the article.

[dalereed]

tax simplification act of 86 was the biggest tax increase in this countries history!

[lightman]

Commiecard--great phrase.

Øcommiecare--even better.

[exDemMom]

Most of these "numbers" are ridiculous, so I didn't read the rest of the article.

Me, too. When an article starts with obviously fabricated statistics, it's not worth reading further.

[Tired of Taxes]

This list might be useful for practice on how to respond when we hear these claims. For example:

being an “illegal” citizen is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor. It is a civil violation, like littering.

It's a civil violation only if you've overstayed your visa, for example. It's a criminal violation to come across the border illegally, which is how more than half of illegal immigrants in the U.S. have come here (according to the government's figures).

[WOSG]

“Short answer: No, the US was not founded as a Christian nation — founding father George Washington was not a churchgoer,....”

Wrong.

President George Washington was an Episcopalian.
Washington was a vestryman in the Episcopal church.
Washington attended St. Peter’s church one winter, during the session of the Continental Congress.
While he was President, Washington attended Christ Church (an Anglican/Episcopalian congregation) in Philadelphia, ‘which was habitually occupied by himself, by Mrs. Washington, who was regularly a communicant, and by his secretaries.
http://www.adherents.com/people/pw/George_Washington.html

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g011.html

“He was very instrumental in establishing Pohick Church, and I believe subscribed [supported and contributed to] largely. His pew was near the pulpit. I have a perfect recollection of being there, before his election to the presidency, with him and my grandmother...

He attended the church at Alexandria when the weather and roads permitted a ride of ten miles [a one-way journey of 2-3 hours by horse or carriage]. In New York and Philadelphia he never omitted attendance at church in the morning, unless detained by indisposition [sickness]. The afternoon was spent in his own room at home; the evening with his family, and without company. Sometimes an old and intimate friend called to see us for an hour or two; but visiting and visitors were prohibited for that day [Sunday]. No one in church attended to the services with more reverential respect.”

[driftless2]

"numbers are ridiculous"

The idiot simply quotes numbers from far left sources. The fact is people flock to this country unlike any other country in the world. Let's see the moron explain that away.

[highlander_UW]

One you might hear from the conservative faction is that the US doesn’t need to change anything because we’re already the greatest country in the world.

Well, the first lie in this post was from the first paragraph. I've never seen such a claim by any conservative.

This is just another leftist rag epic failure.

[DaveTesla]

"founding father George Washington was not a churchgoer"

Got to hand it to the rats. Can they lie or what?

“You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.”

George Washington's Speech to Delaware Indian Chiefs on May 12, 1779, in John C. Fitzpatrick, editor, The Writings of George Washington, Vol. XV (Washington's: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1932), p. 55.

George Washington served as a vestryman at Truro Parish Episcopal Church at Mount Vernon.

[TruthHound]

This idiot would be hard pressed to present a single speech or writing of George Washington’s that wasn’t laced with prayer and praise of the Lord our God.

[alecqss]

They picked subjects that are matters of opinion, not objective measurements. What’s next - we are #11 in ballet??

[anglian]

Clearly, Nelly was someone who knew the private and public life of her “father” very well. Therefore, Jared Sparks, in searching for information on Washington’s religious habits, dispatched a letter to Nelly, asking if she knew for sure whether George Washington indeed was a Christian. Within a week, she had replied to Sparks, and Sparks included her letter in Volume XII of Washington’s writings in the lengthy section on Washington’s religious habits. Of that specific letter, Jared Sparks explained:

I shall here insert a letter on this subject, written to me by a lady who lived twenty years in Washington’s family and who was his adopted daughter, and the granddaughter of Mrs. Washington. The testimony it affords, and the hints it contains respecting the domestic habits of Washington, are interesting and valuable.”
Woodlawn, 26 February, 1833.
Sir,
I received your favor of the 20th instant last evening, and hasten to give you the information, which you desire.
Truro [Episcopal] Parish is the one in which Mount Vernon, Pohick Church [the church where George Washington served as a vestryman], and Woodlawn [the home of Nelly and Lawrence Lewis] are situated. Fairfax Parish is now Alexandria. Before the Federal District was ceded to Congress, Alexandria was in Fairfax County. General Washington had a pew in Pohick Church, and one in Christ Church at Alexandria. He was very instrumental in establishing Pohick Church, and I believe subscribed [supported and contributed to] largely. His pew was near the pulpit. I have a perfect recollection of being there, before his election to the presidency, with him and my grandmother. It was a beautiful church, and had a large, respectable, and wealthy congregation, who were regular attendants.
He attended the church at Alexandria when the weather and roads permitted a ride of ten miles [a one-way journey of 2-3 hours by horse or carriage]. In New York and Philadelphia he never omitted attendance at church in the morning, unless detained by indisposition [sickness]. The afternoon was spent in his own room at home; the evening with his family, and without company. Sometimes an old and intimate friend called to see us for an hour or two; but visiting and visitors were prohibited for that day [Sunday]. No one in church attended to the services with more reverential respect. My grandmother, who was eminently pious, never deviated from her early habits. She always knelt. The General, as was then the custom, stood during the devotional parts of the service. On communion Sundays, he left the church with me, after the blessing, and returned home, and we sent the carriage back for my grandmother.
It was his custom to retire to his library at nine or ten o’clock where he remained an hour before he went to his chamber. He always rose before the sun and remained in his library until called to breakfast. I never witnessed his private devotions. I never inquired about them. I should have thought it the greatest heresy to doubt his firm belief in Christianity. His life, his writings, prove that he was a Christian. He was not one of those who act or pray, “that they may be seen of men” [Matthew 6:5]. He communed with his God in secret [Matthew 6:6].
MORE - Was George Washington a Christian? http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=127

[HiTech RedNeck]

This makes my Irish blood boil!

[DaveTesla]

"James Madison was an atheist"

TO WILLIAM BRADFORD

September 25, 1773

I cannot however suppress [this] much of my advice on that head that you would always keep the Ministry obliquely in View whatever your profession be. This will lead you to cultivate an acquaintance occasionally with the most sublime of all Sciences and will qualify you for a change of public character if you should hereafter desire it. I have sometimes thought there could be no stronger testimony in favor of Religion or against temporal Enjoyments even the most rational and manly than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent Advocates in the cause of Christ, & I wish you may give in your Evidence in this way. Such instances have seldom occurred, therefore they would be more striking and would be instead of a “Cloud of Witnesses.”

Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, Jr. (September 25, 1773), in 1 Papers of James Madison, at 96 (Robert A. Rutland and William M. E. Rachal eds., 1973).

[DaveTesla]

I’m right there with you!
James Madison and Religion in Public
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=105#_ednref2

[JayNorth]

As others have pointed out, the first paragraph disparaging this great land is a tipoff of things to come. If he truly feels this way, why in the world wouldn't he find a country more to his liking and move there. It isn't that hard to do. People emigrate every day.

America isn't perfect, but it is the greatest nation in the world and the land I love. And I have travelled to 80 countries and lived in 3 in my lifetime so I do have some perspective.

[iowamark]

George Washington was not a churchgoer; James Madison was an atheist; and Thomas Jefferson created an edition of the bible removing all references to God and Jesus.

Three lies in a row.

[Vaduz]

It shows

[Jabba the Nutt]

You know, when people start accusing others of lying, you ought to be darned sure of what you are saying. Here's this toad's Number 1 lie: "One you might hear from the conservative faction is that the US doesn’t need to change anything because we’re already the greatest country in the world."

Ok, who said this? Conservatives? Haven't heard that one. Who said it and when? No one said, the finger-pointer is himself lying. D*mb*ss!