Sunday, September 22, 2019

Bill Crawford: Preposterous Promises Taking Over Politics?

Standing on the promises....

No, not those promises, but the promises of politicians.

Consider these current promises from the Democratic candidates for president.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is promising to make college and university attendance free for students for families earning less than $125,000 per year. Sen. Elizabeth Warren's promise is to forgive up to $50,000 in student loans for graduates who make less than $100,000. Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Kamala Harris of California promise to subsidize college costs.

As you might expect, such promises appeal to many. TheHill.com reported that a majority of voters support free state college and canceling student debt, citing a recent Hill-HarrisX poll. "The survey found that 58% of registered voters said they would support a proposal that would make public colleges, universities and trade schools tuition-free. The same group also said they would back a plan eliminating all existing student debt." The breakout by party showed 72% of Democratic voters in favor, 58% of independents, and 40% of Republicans.


Just couldn't resist - KF

Among the leading Democratic presidential contenders Sanders and Warren are promising Medicare for All that would replace the current public/private health insurance system with a single government-run system. But all promise to create more publicly funded options for health care, such as allowing people to buy-in to Medicaid.
Lower cost health insurance appeals to many too. A survey by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation this month found that 53% of Americans favor a national single-payer health insurance plan. "We have found broad support for proposals that expand the role of public programs like Medicare and Medicaid as well as a government-administered public option," the foundation said. The breakout by party showed 77% of Democrats in favor, 53% of independents, and 19% of Republicans.

There are more, like Warren's promise to provide subsidized child care for all families earning below 200% of the poverty line and entrepreneur Andrew Yang's promise to give every American family $1,000 a month.

You get the idea.

Preposterous promises you say.

Hmmm.

Well, not that long ago Donald Trump got elected president by making preposterous promises that appealed to his base. These included making Mexico pay for “the wall,” balancing the budget quickly and eliminating the national debt in eight years, growing the economy 4% a year, and saving the coal industry.

Of course, none of those promises are coming true. Raided military construction projects and taxpayers are funding the wall, not Mexico. Budget deficits and the national debt are escalating. While the economy got an initial kick from Trump's tax cuts, growth is averaging under 3% annually. And the coal industry continues to collapse.

Presidential candidates have often been unable to deliver on campaign promises due to a reluctant Congress or changing circumstances. But those cited above seem all too willing to make appealing promises they have little chance to deliver.

We’re seeing the gap between politics and upright character traits integrity and honesty grows wider and wider.
While this trend is regrettable, we have been cautioned – "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight," Proverbs 12:22, and should know whose promises we can truly rely upon – "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man," Psalms 118:8.


Crawford is a syndicate columnist from Meridian.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's impossible to beat President Trump on lies told.

Anonymous said...

Democracy is always a work in progress. We have forgotten that principle and allowed the political leadership to devolve into the art of the hustle. It's no different than when Jesus went into the temple and found that it had become a den of thieves. We don't demand truth and honor so we get shysters who simply tell us what they think we want to hear. It's called "playing to his/her base". They are like lawyers who will advocate any side and say anything that pays or garners victory. In the meantime our nation becomes a joke. If we don't reject this bull we will only get more. Even if my side wins, I must still demand honesty.

Stuff About ZeroBear PolyBear said...

Honest Politician?

I think not. 100% of them are lying crooks

If a politician tells the public anything they will find many who believe them.

Spend money in giveaways?

Why not? The politicians all understand there is a place in Washington that prints it. Need more money for your give away program? No problem bubba. Just print some more.

No one does it better than THE ORANGE FOOLIUS said...


Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump

Despite what you hear in the press, healthcare is coming along great. We are talking to many groups and it will end in a beautiful picture!
9:01 AM - 9 Mar 2017

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/839883804315684864

“Obamacare is a disaster. It’s too expensive by far,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We’re coming up with plans. ... And if the Supreme Court rules that Obamacare is out, we will have a plan that’s far better than Obamacare.”

Anonymous said...

Don’t practice your alliteration on me!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Let's not pretend we didn't elect the politicians. Let's not pretend we demanded specific plans and how to implement those plans. Let's not pretend we don't believe what we want to believe despite because we think it will benefit our personal preferences rather than the good of the Nation. Let's don't pretend we demand accountability or do due diligence on the issues rather than searching for half truths to reinforce our beliefs.

If we look for simple , quick solutions for complex problems that took decades to go awry , we get fellow simpletons or con artists who will tell us what we want to hear.




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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

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Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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