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The 21st Century “Know-Nothing” President
Townhall.com ^ | July 10, 2013 | Bob Barr

Posted on 07/10/2013 8:49:26 AM PDT by Kaslin

For a few years during the middle of the 19th Century, a secretive political party rose to prominence in American politics, spurred by a cultural fear of new immigrants from Europe. Membership in the party was tightly limited, and when members were questioned about the party’s activity, they were only to respond: “I know nothing.” Today, more than a century and a half later, we have an adherent of this “know nothing” political philosophy in the White House. President Barack Obama’s standard response to questions about key problems facing his Administration is, “I know nothing.”

Obama’s plea of ignorance has become a refrain since the beginning of his Administration -- from the Philadelphia New Black Panther Party voter intimidation case scandal; to “Operation Fast & Furious;” to the suspicious funding of now-defunct “green” companies like Solyndra; to Obama’s use of drones to kill American citizens overseas. It is his stock response when questioned about the Benghazi debacle and subsequent cover-up. “I know nothing and even if I did, I couldn’t tell you,” is all that is elicited from our Commander-in-Chief when asked about the NSA’s unconstitutional and unlawful surveillance of emails, phone calls and other communications. The Department of Justice’s harassment of Administration critics, and the targeting of conservative organizations by the IRS, have been met with the same sorry excuse that the President knows nothing about what his administration has been doing in his name.

The list of scandals is so long, far-reaching, and ever increasing, the GOP put together a timeline (“Obama’s Government Gone Wild”) to help voters remember exactly what the Obama Administration is up to -- since clearly we cannot rely on the President for information.

For a President who promised an era of smarter, more transparent government, his Administration has been anything but. Americans are now living under the thumb of a government historic in its size; operating behind an iron curtain of secrecy with virtually zero accountability to citizens. The law of the land is no longer bound by the limitations set-forth by the Constitution, but rather changes by Executive fiat based on political expediency or “emergency” needs.

There is no question this Administration is among the most systemically corrupt in American history -- almost making Richard Nixon look like a Boy Scout in comparison. Such levels of misconduct over the last five years could either happen with Obama’s knowledge, or behind his back -- as he claims. Should all of these scandals have occurred with Obama’s direct knowledge, it would make him an accessory to these shameful, unconstitutional abuses of power.

Yet, the other scenario is perhaps even more frightening. If we are to take Obama at his word that every scandal which has taken place during his time in office has occurred without his knowledge, then it indicates a degree of incompetence truly breathtaking in its expanse.

If the Department of Justice could secretly sell arms to criminals that are then used in crimes against U.S. officials, or if the NSA could secretly establish the most penetrating domestic surveillance program in the world -- then what more is going on as to which even the President is unaware? Are far-reaching regulations and government programs being implemented based on misinformation fed to him by powerful subordinates with motives clearly not in the best interests of the American public?

Obama’s disdain for the rule of law was again illustrated recently when he arrogantly directed steps be taken to put America’s coal industry out of business; and days later, when he ignored the terms of the very legislation he signed three years ago and postponed provisions of the law known as “ObamaCare.” While some conservatives and business leaders may cheer this postponing of some onerous provisions in ObamaCare, we all should be concerned about an Administration that clearly believes itself not bound by either the letter, or the intent, of our nation’s laws.

Not only is this President failing in his constitutionally–imposed duty to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,” but he is doing everything he can to ensure the laws of the land are not being faithfully executed.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: irsscandal; knownothingprez; lawlessness; obama; obamawhitehouse; obamawhitehut; resident

1 posted on 07/10/2013 8:49:26 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

A Know-Nothing President is the hero of a Know-Nothing electorate.


2 posted on 07/10/2013 8:55:18 AM PDT by TruthShallSetYouFree (July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence. Nov 6, 2012: Declaration of Dependence. R.I.P. America.)
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To: Kaslin

And we voted for a House that would OPPOSE the president’s agenda—not enact it! Republican Party is the loyal opposition? Yeah, right. A whole lot of Democrats and Republicans need to be voted out of office. Until they taste their own blood at the polls, they’ll continue to conspire against We the People.

McCain is a perfect example. Voters in his state have absolutely zero leverage over him. He says whatever it takes to get reelected, then spits in their faces after he’s back in office (again and again). He’s like a cheating spouse who’s forgiven as soon as he sends flowers but then goes out and cheats again before the bouquet has even wilted.


3 posted on 07/10/2013 8:57:48 AM PDT by CitizenUSA (Why celebrate evil? Evil is easy. Good is the goal worth striving for.)
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To: Kaslin
“O” can answer these challenges in one of three ways:

1. I am a liar

2. I am so stupid that I don't know what goes on in the WH

3. All of the above.

4 posted on 07/10/2013 9:00:59 AM PDT by SMARTY ("The test of every religious, political, or educational system is the man that it forms." H. Amiel)
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To: Kaslin

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

Our ‘educational’ system is so poor they should hand out blindfolds instead of mortar boards.


5 posted on 07/10/2013 9:05:04 AM PDT by relictele (A community vigilant in enforcing economic, racial and social equality. It was called Jonestown.)
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To: Kaslin
I know it's to be expected, but it just so irritates me when King Zero says things like, "I just learned about it from you guys (the media) on Friday", or some stupid thing, and the "news" media buy it!!

They refuse to question him on how he can always be "out of the loop" when something happens.

What do kids say when asked who did "it"? "Not me!!" We have President Not Me.

6 posted on 07/10/2013 9:05:25 AM PDT by jeffc (The U.S. media are our enemy)
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To: relictele
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

Strange, but interesting movie. Or was it just the dancer at the topless bar? LOL.

7 posted on 07/10/2013 9:07:04 AM PDT by jeffc (The U.S. media are our enemy)
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To: Kaslin

“problems facing his Administration is, “I know nothing.”

Nope, their initial response is to lie then confuse the issue clarifying their previous position to the point the average American losing interest in the lies.

Even simply things like where Kerry was during Egypt. Boat or No boat, where was Hilliary in Benghazi - where was the President. IRS, CIA, NSA all the initial reactions were to lie.


8 posted on 07/10/2013 9:08:48 AM PDT by edcoil ("The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." Joseph Campbell)
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To: SMARTY
Obama can answer....

You left out one:

4. I've faked minority status my whole life and say and do what I please with arrogant impunity. And I can play racists who pretend not to be just to avoid the discussion.

9 posted on 07/10/2013 9:08:51 AM PDT by grania
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To: CitizenUSA
You wrote 'We voted for a House that would oppose the president's agenda and not enact it. You continued in your 2nd paragraph that McCain is a perfect example. There is just one thing wrong with that.The House is the House of Representatives. McCain is in the Senate which is the other branch of Congress.

I figured as a conservative you would know that

10 posted on 07/10/2013 9:18:36 AM PDT by Kaslin (He needed the ignorant to reelect him, and he got them. Now we all have to pay the consequenses)
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To: Kaslin

I know Senator McCain is in the US Senate. My point was simply that our elected representatives are literally conspiring against the will of the voters who elected them. The US House has a Republican majority, and those Republicans were largely elected to oppose the out-of-control administration. The US Senate is in the same boat. I didn’t vote for Tom Coburn and James M. Inhoff, my state’s senators, so they could go to DC and act like Democrats. Fortunately, they’re pretty solid. My representative, Tom Cole, is pretty much a reliable GOPe vote (unfortunately).

So my point is simply that the Republicans were largely elected to oppose this administration. We don’t control the Senate, but we do control the House. Therefore, the House has a special obligation, I think, to stand up and fight President Obama. It’s clear that many Republican senators and representatives want immigration amnesty for example. Those politicians need to be voted out. Until they fear for their jobs, they’ll continue to work against us.


11 posted on 07/10/2013 9:28:57 AM PDT by CitizenUSA (Why celebrate evil? Evil is easy. Good is the goal worth striving for.)
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To: Kaslin

Why hasn’t IMPEACHMENT been fast tracked?

Clearly Obamam has no intention keeping his oath of office!

“Chief Law Enforcement Officer” , ya right.


12 posted on 07/10/2013 9:40:19 AM PDT by bkaycee (John 3:16)
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To: Kaslin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmzsWxPLIOo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWFzfAH_yYM

I know nothing!


13 posted on 07/10/2013 9:45:58 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault (Dick Obama is more inexperienced now than he was before he was elected.)
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To: Kaslin
Obama’s plea of ignorance has become totally credible!

All doubt has been removed...

Regards,
GtG

14 posted on 07/10/2013 10:47:11 AM PDT by Gandalf_The_Gray (I live in my own little world, I like it 'cuz they know me here.)
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To: Kaslin

15 posted on 07/10/2013 1:41:39 PM PDT by 4Liberty (Some on our "Roads & Bridges" head to the beach. Others head to their offices, farms, libraries....)
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