Political Dishonesty Has No Boundaries

Politicians come and go, but dishonesty is here to stay. This past week President Barack Obama, the same guy who promised to have the most transparent and open Administration in American history, went on national TV to "apologize" for having mislead the American people.  On 37 different occasions and over a period over three years Mr. Obama stated over and over again that the American public would be allowed to keep their doctors and their insurance plans if they like them and would not be required to enroll in Obamacare. These events are well documented on this document: http://youtu.be/wfl55GgHr5E. Today, we know that Mr. Obama and his whole Administration lied to the American people.

What the Congress and the President should do is undo the mess they have created and give the American public the solution they want and need.  They should do it immediately because this is what true leaders would do.  

Honestly, is anyone surprised with such conduct that come out of Washington?  Political dishonesty is a mainstay inside the Washington beltway.  In fact, it would be a safe bet that this kind of dishonesty can also be found in all of our nation's state capitols as well.  These recent events out of Washington reminded me of other events and examples of political dishonesty that I have seen right here in our great state of Texas. 

No Boundaries  

During my four years of campaigning for state office I have traveled around the state.  During these travels I have heard and seen what both Republicans and Democrats are capable of doing in politics. People tend to think that the battle is always between Democrats versus Republicans, but this is just not true. I have heard and seen Republican legislators and donors support and fund a Democrat opponent rather than support the opposing Republican candidate  and vice versa.   

I have heard candidates make campaign promises they know they can never deliver and do it with a big smile. I have heard candidates and elected officials say things in the public arena that are complete lies or at best a big stretch of the truth. I know this to be true because I have first-hand knowledge of the facts. These are just some small examples of what takes place in the political arena.  All a person has to do is connect the dots and the reality of this hits you like a 2x4 stud piece of lumber.  Yet, on many occasions and always on cue, the public claps and hollers their words of support and agreement for a particular candidate without ever really knowing the whole truth.  Perhaps, if the public knew the truth about what really goes on in the political arena they would vote much more differently that how we do.

Why? 

Why has this kind of dishonesty grown in occurrence and in degree?  Well, it isn't because our Congress and members of our state legislatures are all a bunch of crooks. No, rather I believe that the main cause is because "we the people" have abducted to the Congress and to our state legislatures an open door to do "what they think best." That means to do what is in "their best interest, not in our best interest."   The result is that year after year, and election after election the majority of Americans continue to vote for "career politicians" rather than for the challenger candidate who may in many occasions  truly want and have the answers to how we can fix the problems facing our communities.    

There are many reasons for this phenomena. But, perhaps the most egregious is that most Americans believe that "their elected official" is and always will be a good guy and would never mislead us in any way.  We also tend to largely believe that  our elected official is always exempted from the influence and corruption that often lingers in and around our political legislators in Austin and Washington.  Unfortunately, little do we realize that this manner of thinking is what plaques our representative form of government.  Instead we should follow the advice of Ronald Reagan who said, "Trust, but verify."  Plus, let us never forget the words of President James Garfield who truly nailed it on head when he said,

"Now more than ever, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.  If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature."

In this statement we find both the problem clearly defined and we are given the solution to the mess in Washington and in Austin.  There are only two practical solutions to the mess described by President Garfield.  These are accountability and term limits.  

Accountability   

Let's be honest with ourselves and realize that this kind of problem will not go away anytime soon.  The best thing we can do for our nation and for our communities is to start demanding more from our all of our legislatures starting today.  We must put them on notice and hold them all accountable for their words, promises, votes and decisions regardless of who they may be or office they hold. 

Term Limits 

In addition, I believe that we should require term limits for ALL elected officials at ALL levels of government.  Term limits are a useful tool to limit the amount of time an elected official can negatively impact a community or nation.  I hope you will also join me in calling for term limits for all of our elected officials. Perhaps only after we begin to demand more honesty from our elected officials and we formally adopt term limits for all office holders can we begin to eradicate the political dishonesty that is so prevalent in American politics today.      

Conclusion

Like Thomas Jefferson, I believed that the American people will always make the wisest choice when it came to electing the right person if they were only provided all the truth and given all the information.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Nevertheless, I continue to believe in you, my fellow Americans.  It is our deep yearning and love for freedom, our traditional family values, our belief in God, and our very nature of being a charitable and loving society that give me hope that America will continue to be that shining city on the hill where millions of people from all over the world are invited and welcomed all in the name of freedom.  

Until such time we the people must take responsibility for the state of affairs in our government.  We can begin to restore our Founding Father's principles and ideals by holding ALL elected officials much more accountable for their actions, by removing radical judges from office when they chose to legislate from the bench rather than apply the law, and we must push for and demand there are term limits are ALL elected positions in our government.    

I am hopeful that we the people will rise up one day soon and respond to demand better and more responsive representation from our elected officials.  That is why as your next Texas Comptroller, I will hold myself to this higher moral standard that you deserve and expect from your elected officials.  I also will serve as your financial watch guard by holding other elected officials to the same high moral standard because you deserve to know the truth from all of your elected office holders. 

I just thought you should know. 

For Texas and Liberty,