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Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Another view?
View more of the Las Vegas Sun's opinion section:
• Editorials - the Sun's viewpoint.
• Columnists - local and syndicated writers.
• Letters to the editor - readers' views.
Have your own opinion? Write a letter to the editor.
Among the most notable themes of last week’s Republican National Convention was the GOP’s willingness to stretch the truth. Of course, exaggeration and twisting facts in a campaign are nothing new, but the Republicans exceeded expectations last week.
Speaker after speaker tried to paint President Barack Obama as an abject failure and a “divider” who has polarized the country, ignoring the role their party has played. Over the past four years, the Republicans have been tireless in their efforts to defeat and frustrate the president and his plans, even when it blocked progress in the economic recovery. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Obama’s promises turned into “disappointment and division.”
He and his party can complain about Obama and the Democrats, but it was none other than respected political scientist Norman Ornstein of the conservative American Enterprise Institute who fingered the GOP for the bulk of the problems in Washington.
To borrow a line from the convention: They built it.
But the Republicans weren’t about facts nor were they going to take responsibility.
In his acceptance speech, Romney created a hazy fairy tale to cover up his party’s actions.
“Four years ago, I know that many Americans felt a fresh excitement about the possibilities of a new president,” Romney said. “That president was not the choice of our party, but Americans always come together after elections.”
We must have missed that kumbaya moment when the Republicans turned from a hard-fought campaign and, as the loyal opposition, extended a hand to the president, pledging to find ways to work together for the good of the country.
Romney surely missed it too as he was busy plotting his own presidential run.
Of course, the nation missed it because it didn’t happen. Republicans refused to work with Obama despite his attempts to engage them.
The GOP points out that the Democrats had control of Congress for the first two years of Obama’s term, but Republican lawmakers refused to negotiate or work with the Democrats. In the Senate, the rules give power to the minority party to block legislation and appointees. And Republican lawmakers used all the power they had to effectively disrupt Congress. Remember, it was Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, who said very publicly the ultimate goal for his party was to make Obama a one-term president.
So much for coming together for the good of the country.
The Republicans’ scorched-earth offensive hasn’t let up, particularly since they won control of the House of Representatives and embarked on an all-or-nothing approach intent on vilifying the president.
During the convention, the Republicans pressed on with a laundry list of dubious allegations about the president and his administration. Romney said that “unlike President Obama, I will not raise taxes on the middle class.” As the Associated Press reported, that’s not quite the case. Although some taxes may increase under Obama, he has worked to cut taxes on the middle class. Meanwhile, Romney’s budget plan would allow certain tax cuts to expire, meaning many lower and middle class families would pay more.
But let’s not let the facts get in the way of Romney’s narrative. He claimed the president went on an “apology tour” after being elected, even though that is patently untrue. And he said the president was going to gut the military when it was his own party that not only agreed to the cuts but allowed them to happen by refusing to make a budget deal. Romney should know that — his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, has been a key part of the Republican obstruction in Congress.
And Ryan did a masterful job of dicing the truth in his acceptance speech Wednesday night. For example, he blamed Obama for the downgrade of the nation’s credit rating when it was Republicans in Congress who engineered that. And he tried to put the blame on Obama for a shuttered General Motors plant in his state. Never mind that the automaker announced its plans nearly eight months before Obama took office.
There were plenty of other falsehoods repeated by the candidates, as well as a host of other Republicans, that have been debunked by fact checkers.
The Republicans have said this is a campaign about ideas and choices; they say their ideas are better. If that’s the case, why aren’t they talking specifically about their ideas instead of playing fast and loose with the truth, pandering to the lowest common denominator?
The Republicans’ divisive, disingenuous rhetoric isn’t fitting for a presidential candidate who pledges to unite the country.
To borrow another line from the convention: America deserves better than this.
What a surprise the LV Sun does not support Romney
The Sun says "But let's not let the facts get in the way of Romney's narrative.
-- He claimed the president went on an "apology tour" after being elected, even though that is patently untrue. WELL IT IS TRUE OBAMA WHEN ON A EUROPEAN APOLOGY TOUR WE ALL HEARD IT AND SAW IT.
-- And he said the president was going to gut the military when it was his own party that not only agreed to the cuts but allowed them to happen by refusing to make a budget deal. ACTUALLY OBAMA AND REID MADE THE GRAND SEQUESTER DEAL WITH THE REPUBLICAN THAT WILL GUT THE MILITARY - CAN OBAMA NOT ADMIT RESPONSIBLITY FOR HIS ACTS
-- And he tried to put the blame on Obama for a shuttered General Motors plant in his state.
In 2008 while campaigning Obama went to the Janesville Wisconsin GM Plant and personally made a solemn promise to retool the plant and keep the plant open for a hundred years.
In October 2008 Obama said "As President, I will lead an Effort to retool plants like the GM facility in Janesville so we can build the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow and create good-paying jobs in Wisconsin..."
October 2008 was same the time that Obama passed TARP in Congress which included bailout money for GM.
December 2008 while Obama was president-elect and his transition team to preserve cash flow Janesville was temporarily idled until Obama could take office a month later and bailout GM. TARP gave $61 billion to the GM bankruptcy. And Obama gave another $41 billion in tax breaks.
But Obama never reopened the plant and Janesville was permanently shutdown as part of the Obama GM bankruptcy.
Another Obama central planning PROMISE UNKEPT
The tone & tenor of the 'R' convention...
Shameful.
The gang of 'I, ME, MINE!' made one thing perfectly clear at their little soiree;
they want an immediate return to the EXACT SAME SET OF POLICIES that led us down the road to economic disaster in the first place, and SHAME on those that don't!
Those less fortunate ought to suffer quietly and leave the rich folk alone!
It's unconscionable that the homeless, hungry & sick, along with the struggling mass of our former middle-class, have their collective hand out for a help-up...
'Pull your own selves up by your bootstraps! It's the American Way!'
We don't need Mannequin Man Mitt to 'lead us out of the darkness'...
we need a continuation of the concerted effort to move forward in our economic recovery led by President Obama, in concert with a house & senate that works together to implement well-reasoned, balanced legislation, not the one that worked SO VERY HARD to 'prevent Barack Obama from becoming a 2-term President', as has been the singular, massive failure of the current 'R'-led Congress.
'Well, fine then! We'll just hold our breath for 4 years (like so many little children that didn't get their way) until we turn blue in the face & can get rid of this guy!'
That has been the plan since January 20, 2009.
That is anti-American to the Nth.
Tell THAT to your empty chair.
1. The "super committee" knew sequestration was the default option if they did not secure a budget deal. They failed and every Republican voted against the proposed budget plan. All the GOP members of the committee are signatories to Grover's little pledge, so the failure was a foregone conclusion.
2. TARP was passed by Congress, not Obama. Without congressional approval there would have been no TARP. The president wouldn't have gotten the bill on his desk unless Congress passed it in the first place. They did.
3. In GM's words, the Janesville plant is on "standby", and can be reopened if GM decides economic conditions warrant it. The government did not shut down the plant, GM did. It was a business decision THEY made, like any other business decision.
4. "Gut the military"? Really? As Jim DeMint stated, Republican "fingerprints are all over sequestration". Now we have GOP senators and representatives traveling to military bases with their "sky is falling" rhetoric about draconian cuts that they agreed to in the first place. Let sequestration begin (and it will).
There is a comprehensive plan to save Medicare by Ryan. The President took $776 Billion from Medicare for the Health Care Initiative. The reason the President did that is to bankrupt Medicare so that all Americans are forced into a single government reimbursement program. Meidicare, in its present form will not be solvent in another six years. I will probably vote for Romney because the alternative is worse and I know what I have with the President and I don't like it.
I'm rolling the dice.
ressince,
Your observations in line three are laughable. If GM was just like "every other business" they would have gone through the LEGITIMATE bankruptcy process and emerged a stronger, leaner company, BUT NO, they were bailed out by citizens that want their money back.
Obama did go on a worldwide apology tour. The Dems are in full delusion mode if they think he didn't.
Gmag, You're a union man, so I think your comments about leaving the little man behind specious at best. Unions have done more to harm the current plight of the "poor and downtrodden" than any of Obama's failed policies. Unions are in the fight for themselves. You are just going for the uninformed ride. Besides, YOUR party had the complete Tri-fecta of government for two years and your bumbling stumbling amateur-chief couldn't ANYTHING accomplished. Granted, Obama had the ever-inept assistance of Pinky and Pelosi to hamper all hopes of progress.
The Democrats and Progressives have played their hands and they came up busted. Romney has my vote....how much worse can it get??
I too would rather take my chances, although they look pretty good, with a proven businessman than give a community organizer another shot at the title.
NOvember=NObama!!
The writer has it right! The righties who so far have responded, need to do their proper research, and just not repeat faux news. Emma, The number is $716b, not 776. And that money has extendended the life of Medicare by eight years. By the way it came from the insurers and the Hospitals. The hospitals gain by having fewer people not paying for service(Known to R's as freeloaders). The insurer's gain by having more policyholders, and Medicare gains $716b. The Pres. didn't apolgize to the world, he enhanced the World's view and opinion of the U.S. Again to the R's, quit complaining and propose something something intelligent and with substance.
73 says "2. TARP was passed by Congress, not Obama. Without congressional approval there would have been no TARP. "
And the point was what.
Obama, Reid and Pelosi, we're Congress. Pelosi nearly had a melt down when TARP did not pass on the first vote in her House.
73 did not remind us of Obama's trip to the WH to pound on the table and demand what would go into TARP
So 73 what was your point
Everyone wanting to be boss, democrats, republicans and chickens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11AIVdSsP...
Let me translate the gist of this article into simple-speak: The Republicans are to blame for everything because they refused to bendover for Obama and the Democrat Party. What was the phrase we heard again from Democrats all through the Bush years? Oh yeah, "dissent is patriotic".
What BULL! NOthing, nothing could be more divisive than the campaign war waged by the bigots on the left.
The Suns Babinski syndrome is yet again prominently displayed for all to see.
The featured speaker Clint Eastwood, produced and directed a film were he rapes a woman and then "she likes it" "anytime mister." after the Eastwood character rapes the woman. It is not surprising that the Republican Party would feature an R rated routine during their convention by a person who takes such a view of rape. Ryan and his pal Akin don't care if a woman becomes pregnant by a rapist. Neither does the Republican Party or Romney.
Too bad many school age children were watching when Eastwood was taking about people "f---ing themselves." Yes the family values Republican Party...was Gibbons and Ensign there?
It's good to hear and read responsible individuals acknowledge what we all know to be true. The Republican Convention did a disservice to the America public, sending out distortions and misleading statements. In some aspect, this is an assault on the America press. Trying to confuse voters, especially undecided voters, to question authority and only listen to extreme statements.
Bravo to the Sun Editorial, for being an honest broker on this issue of candidates distorting facts and spreading misinformation, as we are seeing and hearing from Republicans and the Romney campaign.
Re Heretic. Any business has the right to close a particular store/plant/factory any time they want without declaring bankruptcy. If I own 15 7-11's, and choose to close one or more, I don't have to declare bankruptcy to do so. If the rest of my stores are viable, the business continues; same as it ever was. Let's recall the facts, the plant closed BEFORE the president was in office. So if you want to blame him go ahead. That doesn't make it true. Your boy Mittens would have let the entire auto industry fail. The same way he ran his crooked Bain Capital scam.
Re BRASS. Look up the word bigot, and then tell everyone how the word applies to the article.
Re Future. The comment on TARP was meant to show political illiterates, such as yourself, the separation of powers defined in the Constitution. The point being, there was no presidential fiat involved. It was a bill, passed by both houses of Congress, sent to the President, who signed it into law. What part of that don't you get? What trip to the White House to pound on the desk are you referring too? If Obama was in office, he didn't have to take a trip to his own residence. Sometimes it is hard to sift through the typos and rambling BS you consistently write on this blog. Take a pill and vote for your boy Mittens and his sock puppet, lying running dog RyAYN. Feel better?
Lyin Ryan didn't lie when he said that he ran a marathon in under 4 hours.
Then he said he mispoke . He didnt mislead. He out and out lied.
These phonies will lie and lie and lie till they reach dam lies.
The only thing worse than a. Liar are those that fall for that nonsense.
Give us a break with your lyin Ryan who voted for every unbudgeted bush effort an then with a brave baby face tells us that he is a fiscal conservative just like his boss who is a severe conservative.
Re Janmara1. So true. It is time to bring back the not so politically correct word: LIAR. Mittens and RyAYN are both congenital liars, and have been their entire political careers. I love the word "Liar". It says it like it is. It should be used much more often, in political discourse. "Less than truthful", "Ambiguous", "stretching the truth", "Disingenuous" are all synonyms for LYING. Let's call a liar a liar. It has an aggressive tone to it, and it doesn't flinch from the truth. Political candidates should be called out ALL THE TIME, when they LIE!
Emma Betscher Sept. 2, 2012 6:25 a.m
There is a comprehensive plan to save Medicare by Ryan. The President took $776 Billion from Medicare for the Health Care Initiative.
`````````````````
Emma,
Darling, perhaps you should do your homework before you make comments that are inaccurate. The president took $776 Billion from Medicare. $776 oh really??
Where in the world did you get that information??
YES, WITH DEMOCRATS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.....
AMERICA IS DOING BETTER.
And we're not going back to republican GREED AND
STUPIDITY.
Our country is moving forward again.
GM AND CHRYSLER ARE ALIVE AND
BIN LADEN IS DEAD!
And health care has been improved by PRESIDENT
OBAMA.
The only thing that greedy republicans want to
do is to kill Obamacare, kill Medicare and give
their rich friends bigger tax cuts.
Any average American would be insane to vote for
these greedy republican clowns.
republicans destroyed oue economy in the first
place.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
kepi,
If you are saying that instead of $778B the correct figure is $716B then yes, that was the number cited by the CBO.
If, on the other hand, you are saying that nothing was done to Medicare, then you should do your homework. Granted, the actual action taken can be described in various ways depending upon what side of the aisle the describer is on.
But there is no dispute that the CBO did say there will be some form of reduction in Medicare payments (most to hospitals and insurers) of $716B over 10 years.
To all the brainless liberals who found it necessary to insult and belittle people who don't agree with your views: There is no requirement that the opposing party do what you desire them to do. This is a free country and those conservatives were duly elected by a majority of the voters in those districts. The conservatives answer to those voters, not the whining liberals who oppose them.
I notice you don't complain when your liberal politicians don't follow the desires of the conservatives. I also noticed how much your liberal politicians listened to the conservatives when they were the minority party in the house and senate. You are all hypocrites. If you don't like the way the federal government works as prescribed by the constitution, move to Iran; they'll really listen to you there. I think you might involuntarily lose your heads.
By "trusted commenter" I take you to mean that you will sell my personal information to spammers.
Please point me to LVSun articles from 2008 asserting that Democrats were largely responsible for Bush's failures.
o'bama is the greatest divider this nation has ever known... and you know it. When a president or a party sets out to destroy our country, it is the opposition's duty to block that effort whenever possible.
***Are your comments Fact or Fiction?***
*Typical Republiican Lie/Propaganda Technique... Do not believe what you read; do your own research.
TO ALL READERS: I have asked Future to cite source(s) for statements that he presents as fact; such as the comments posed above; in the "All Comments" section. He blatantly refuses to legitimize his statement using standard protocol called a "Citation"; therefore, it is my opinion that his comments are without merit and simply his opinion. Maybe his comments are sound bites that he heard from the ole rumor mill? Who really knows? Without a citation, we do not know, do we? Propaganda Technique?
Perhaps he believes that if he repeats the same comments everyday that we will believe the comments to be fact. Who knows? Without a citation it is difficult to determine fact or fiction. So, please do your homework. Become a fact checker.
We are all entitled to state our opinion, which is what I am doing right now with my comments. It is not a necessary to cite a source when presenting your personal opinions because they are opinions; not facts. Because what I am stating is 100% an opinion, it is not necessary to cite a source.
However, it is customary to cite your source(s)when presenting what may appear to be a fact. A citation just supports your statement as a fact; you have proven your point. Providing a citation enables the reader to read the citation, form his or her own opinion, and come to his or her own conclusion.
Future total disregard toward my repeated requests to cite a source simply proves my point that the reader should not take your comments, without a citation, seriously. Just skip over Future's personal opinions. Let us not confuse Fact with Fiction. We have enough to sift through right now, we don't have time for fiction; unless supported by a citation. This is my opinion and unless we can see a source to validate your statements; comments from Future are baseless nonsensical gibberish.
To the readers, everyone knows that if you make a comment or statement of fact, you must be able to prove what you are saying or one could easily conclude that the comments/statements are only the beliefs/opinion of the writer; not fact based.
Future, in my opinion, without a citation, your comments are frivolous unsubstantiated rhetoric; basically rants.
If, at any time, you decide to cite your sources; please cite legitimate sources only.
To the Readers: When you see a comment use that comment to conduct a research project so that you will know the truth. So that you will feel confident when you cast for vote. This election may be the most important election of our lifetime. Become an educated voter. Know your candidate and know where he stands on the issues that are important to you.
boftx Sept. 3, 2012 1:17 a.m.
kepi,
If you are saying that instead of $778B the correct figure is $716B then yes, that was the number cited by the CBO.
If, on the other hand, you are saying that nothing was done to Medicare, then you should do your homework. Granted, the actual action taken can be described in various ways depending upon what side of the aisle the describer is on.
But there is no dispute that the CBO did say there will be some form of reduction in Medicare payments (most to hospitals and insurers) of $716B over 10 years.
````````````````````
boftx,
Good Morning,
The correct figure is $716B. I have included these links; I know you have seen them before.
Romney's Great Medicare Lie:
http://www.examiner.com/article/romney-s...
More Links
http://www.barackobama.com/truth-team/en...
http://www.barackobama.com/truth-team/
http://www.barackobama.com/plans/medicar...
If presidential elections were decided strictly on the basis of resumes, Gov Romney would topple President Obama easily. Romney has private sector business and leadership experience that beat the president's teacher lounge and community activist roles in a walk. And public sector service as well that outscores the president's thinly written and lightweight background.
But presidential elections are decided as much by unquantifiable factors too like voters' remorse and restiveness. Not to mention fundraising ability, and the power of persuasion. Here again, Romney shows he's matured and evolved as an aspiring occupant of the White House in 2012 from 2008. Beating the incumbent in these areas even with the president's 4 years of on the job training.
The unequivocal answer to the Sun's editorial question is a resounding "yes." America can and will do better with Romney-Ryan in 2012.
CarmineD
Is the letter writer suggesting everything Obama has said in the last 5 years ( 1 year campaigning) is all truth and fact, that he has done everything he promised? NO? of course it is someone else s' fault!
What happened to the BUCK STOPS HERE? He should take the blame like a man and tell us what he intends to do to fix it. Unfortunately he is not as strong a person as other presidents have been and with little experience in the outside world it is no wonder he can not get anything done, but wait, he did get a health care bill passed and made some stimulus bills pass. He just can't run the country.
Let's point out a fact that these republicans
still don't understand.
In the entire country, you republicans
ARE THE MINORIRY PARTY, PERIOD.
You don't speak for the majority of Americans and
never will.
You speak for the top 1 or 2%.
And the great thing about being a union member is
that we are not slaves to greedy republicans, and
NEVER WILL BE.
Average workers always need to vote DEMOCRATIC!
LIVE BETTER/WORK UNION!!!
HAPPY LABOR DAY!
It is amazing that the first instinct of Romney and Ryan is to lie. Most politicans play games with the facts and stretch things to further their arguements. However, never have I seen such boldface lies, and the first instinct to lie so prevalent, as with Romney and Ryan. Romney has been terrible in lying about his record and hiding the truth on his taxes, Romneycare, etc. Ryan is so pathetic that he lied that he had run a marathon in under 3 hours, an amazing achievement for a non-pro, when he was not able to break the 4 hour time barrier. No reason to lie about this, just that his first instinct is to lie. Of course lying about a marathon is no reason not to vote for a candidate, but that candidate having the first instinct to lie certainly is!
OK Murphyfish, lets tell the truth about the $716 million that was "cut" by Obama. It is related to Medicare Advantage plans.
Insurers approached the federal Government with a proposal: The insurers could offer "Medical Advantage" plans to consumers that would provide more benefits for less money than Medicare. They proposed that the government allow them to compete with Medicare. This seemed like a no-brainer to our elected officials and it was voted in: Medicare Advantage plans were allowed to compete with Medicare. That was the bait, then came the switch: These insurance company then screwed the Federal Government and raised their rates so their plans were now MORE EXPENSIVE than Medicare and sent the bill to the Federal Government. Obama RIGHTLY called foul, and the Affordable Healthcare Act was used as a vehicle to reign in the CHEATING by the Insurance Companies. THERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE TO MEDICARE BENEFITS. However, the CHEATING INSURANCE COMPANIES are being called on their excessive billing of Medicare Advantage plans to the tune of $716 million! In other words, Obama has stopped theft by the insurance companies, and boy are they pissed. They thought that they could cheat the American Public and Obama and the Democrats are stopping that from happening.
Now, of course, Romney and the Republicans want this cheating to continue since they get plenty of campaign contributions from the insurance companies.
Finally, Ryan's plan, with its $700+ million is exactly designed to limit Medicare payouts by the government and WILL lower healthcare benefits. The plan calls for you to get a voucher for health care insurance. This voucher value may, or may not, pay for the private insurance costs, and it is specifically designed to not keep pace with the rapidly inflating price of elderly healthcare costs (note that they are the LEAST insurable of all Americans).
So the result is this: Obama has cut NOTHING from the BENEFITS that Medicare recipients get. Romney and Ryan and the Republicans want to throw elderly people to the wolves that are the insurance companies, and poorer coverage and high out-of-pocket expenses will result. Also, can you imagine how much the insurance companies will cheat 80+ year olds on their health care payments..it would be like taking candy from a baby!
notacon......great comment.
YES, romney/ryan can't stop lying.
WHY? Because their plans stink to high Heaven.
When the Ryan marathon lie was exposed, we find
out that Sarah Palin ran a faster marathon than
ryan.
WOW!
Even girls run faster than ryan.
Public Policy is not the place for business people. It certainly is not the place for business people who run Hedge Funds and off shore their money.
We had 8 yrs of Bush. This clown basically bankrupted us. His background? not much different than silver spoon Willard Milton Romney's.
The Government is NOT supposed to be run like a business. In fact most things are not supposed to be. The reason? risk.
Carmine......
We already have our great leader and we're
keeping him.
PRESIDENT OBAMA is easily one of the greatest
presidents of all time.
Americans won't let romney/ryan drag us back to
those HORRIBLE bush years.
Romney/ryan are even more extreme than bush/cheney
YES, romney/ryan ARE WORSE than bush/cheney!
Any time the great divider obumma had a chance to unite the country he stepped in it.
The Sun editorial staff is simply a mouthpiece for the Dems. The Obama presidency has failed, offers no new ideas, and resorts to divisiness, scare tactics, and mis-representation all in an effort to retain their hold on power for four more years. We know America can do better and be better -- we just need a change of leadership in DC.
NLV-Indep13.......
PRESIDENT OBAMA stopped the bush/republican crash.
Republican policy created the worst economy in our
lifetime.
REPUBLICANS FAILED.
THAT'S THE TRUTH!
All nations can do better, and do when fair media is in play but it's rare today. I suggest that the path to stability, harmony and trust will be charted by those inspired by fair media, that peoples champion and conscience of nations holding history of inspiring citizens to gather overwhelming public opinion in order to force needed changes!
When you have a past President G.W.Bush (2000,2008) who nearly destroyed this country single handed.The Republicans have no platform to work from,so lies and fabrications are what they now use as their platform.Unfortunatly this will not work as American voter's are to smart to fall for this,and it will show up at the voting booth, with their defeat (Republicans) in Nov.
The plant closed in the summer of 2009: http://reason.com/blog/2012/08/30/ryans-...
also note, Dems COULD have compromised on a budget... they didn't.
Compromise is a two way street... compromise does not mean "Agree with Brian Greenspun"
The Democrats are allowing half the population to go on disabilty and unemployment. I am tired of working long hours to support my family when some bozo does nothing and expects the government to support them the rest of their life. If you think Obama cares about this country you are badly mistaken. This Chicago politician will do anything to get reelected. Unemployment is still terrible at 20% and Obama still does not get it. I made a mistake voting for Obama in 2008 and this time I am voting for Romney.