Obama and Pledges and Silly People

Apparently Obama broke a pledge and some right wing crazies are up in arms over it.

What pledge did he break? Was it his promise to help the working class, was it about ending the war in Iraq, was it about the spirit of bi-partisanship? No, turns out he signed a bill expanding healthcare for children three days earlier than he said he would.

So, yeah, he signed a bill that already [easily] cleared the House [290 to 138] and the Senate [66 to 32] and some Republicans are mad because Obama didn't put it up on the White House website for five days so they could scrutinize what was already approved?

Are these people serious?

The bill was already approved. If it sat around for three days it would do just that; sit around for three days while no one did anything except maybe ask, "Why is this bill still sitting around?"

I think the reason Obama 'rushed' it was to get some good news out there after some of the Cabinet appointment tax issues and the s-l-o-w going economic stimulus plan. But there are just too many issues out there right now than to act like 12 year olds and claim Obama broke some pledge.

 

Comments

[Harmony Orthia]

Let me see if I might be able to explain their silliness. See, during the White House run, a major topic of contention was accountability, and transparency. Everyone seemed to be on the same page. There needs to be more of both.

So, then candidate-Obama, promised (not pledged) to post every bill that comes to his desk for a minimum of 5 days on the White House website. This was to show the American people that he wasn't going to try to slip anything by us. It was accountable and very transparent. Job well done.

But then the Ledbetter vs. Goodyear bill pops up and 2 day after it hits his desk, he signs it.  No posting, no accountability, no transparency, as promised.

Okay, maybe he forgot. We'll give him a freebie, but let him know that he forgot and to make more of an effort next time.

Well now he does it again: 2 days later, no posting, no accountability, no transparency, but this time with full awareness of his broken promise.

It's a train and trend in thinking and acting. If he can break major campaign issue promises then what's stopping him from breaking anymore or all of his promises.

It's not like he broke a minor promise (buying his daughters a dog) that would not have made any difference in the long run. This will.  

[Kipuka]

Hi Harmony

I hear what you saying but I don't think many people who voted for Obama will really care if this particular bill [and some others] are signed before spending five days on the White House web site.

Real transparency could only happen if they posted a bill on the Web site before it even goes to the House or Senate. That way people like you and I could read it and chime in.

But once it passes Congress there isn't much of anything we can do to stop it.

I should note that Obama made that pledge because of some of the late night bills that Bush signed dealing with spying and patriot act type [uncivil liberties] acts.

I'm also less sure of the slipper slope argument. I am quite sure any really controversial bill will spend days before the public before being signed. That said, I guess it depends on what is controversial. Again, those who vote for Obama won't have trouble with a lot of bills he signs.

[Harmony Orthia]

Thanks for responding. Though you might want to hit the Reply in my comment box, that way I can be alerted when you respond. It helps on the delay. (wink)

I understand your view. Those that voted for Obama won't have a problem with the bills he passes, for the most part. Stimulus not withstanding.

The point is, he promised and he knowingly failed to follow through. Bush is the past. Using the excuse "We're doing it because Bush did "whatever"" is thin. Everything they are doing is because Bush did "whatever." We all understand this.

Every piece of legislation that spends money is, in this economy, very important. I bitched when Bush did it and when the Reps let him get away with it, and I'm bitching now for the same reason. So, yes, it's very important to see the end result of every bill before he signs it. He has veto power and if America stands up and collectivity says no! he might listen before that signature.

Seeing the bill beforehand is already part of Congress' way of doing business. It's on their website, been there for years. It's a great way to keep up, but the reason we want to see the end result is all the pork they throw (sneak) in afterward. You really ought to go see the final bills, post signature, on all the past bills (laws) it's truly scary to see what Congress, of both parties, has put past us as a nation.