I have been tuned to CSPAN, CNN, Fox news and scores of other channels to get a balanced understanding of the candidates and their promises they are making to people in the 2008 Presidential Election.
I wonder why the American people do not make the politicians accountable for anything they speak during the campaigns. We vote for them largely based on what they say (and their party will do) right?
So I wanted to look into this in a little more detail. I looked into CSPAN video archive to compare what the candidates said in the debates of 1992 and 2000 elections.
When I compared them to the 2008 debates, I wondered why can’t we ask them during the debate what they are going to do if what they are promising does not happen? should they resign after 2 years or not seek re-election? Here is one simple example:
- Sr. Bush in 1992 debate – He will allow Health Insurance to be pooled for small companies and be purchased across the border.
- Clinton – 1992 debate – He will get the 40 million uninsured people to be insured.
- W Bush in 2000 debate – Effectively same as Sr. Bush in 1992 (see 1 above)
- John McCain 2008 debate -Effectively same as both the bush (see 1 and 3 above)
- Obama 2008 debate – Will negotiate with the employer to reduce the insurance by $2500 per year and also open up the senator’s insurance to the uninsured.
Now I know that 1,2 and 3 (above) did not really happen! So, when these guys comes up (coached) with all the brilliant eloquence why can’t people ask them what they will do if they fail to deliver what they promise. BTW I do not hear them promising conditionally (like if senate and congress approves it I will do this or do that…)
Maybe i am not that politically savvy but I am sure somebody out there understands it better.
Tags: presidential politics
October 13, 2008 at 10:06 pm
“I feel your pain.”
Seriously, you can take it a step further.
Promises notwithstanding, what if they violate their oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.
If the prez (and the congress) violate their oaths, what recourse do we have, as small fries, besides hoping the electoral college (or electronic voting machine hackers) may “vote” them out next time.
You are asking good questions, keep asking until you get answers.
October 13, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Yes that is true… unless these politicians are concerned about the consequences of their false promises and their doings… this will keep going…
October 14, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Samuel,
I checked out your website and you make a great point. Like you, I don’t buy the promises. The issue you raise can only be remedied by an electorate that takes the time to be informed. The first thing an informed citizenry must do, is greet with skepticism any promise a candidate makes that is outside of the Constitutional authority ascribed to them. Don’t promise me something that Congress will do. I just want to know what YOU will do.
The second thing an informed electorate must do is take the time to understand the Job Description the Constitution gives to the President. Article II, Section 2 & 3 contain the job description for the President. Folks, this is ALL the man is allowed to do.
Section 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.
Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.
The President is not the Chief economist. He can’t “create jobs.” He can’t give you “health care.” He can’t save your house from foreclosure. Any candidate who tells you different is lying to you.
October 14, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Gary! well written! I concur! looks like the vicious cycle is created with huge campaign money, media struggling to keep it a circus and candidates feeding on partisan divide.
Also it seems economic plans of the candidates, that they are presenting these days is also not worth much anyways.
If one of these stops, probably people will be able to figure out what is truth and will think if their time is worth spending hours in rallies.
October 14, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Okay Gary…Obama taught consititution and McCain is in the senate for god knows how many years…. so they know what they can do or not do… are they promising out of their domain?