Politicians

I saw a press conference today with President Bush. A lot of it was him talking about how terrorism is still a threat to the USA, and I don't argue with that. In fact, I wasn't paying super close attention to that part of the proceedings. However, when they got to the question and answer part, there was something that really made me perk up.

The President had been talking about working together with Congress, and a reporter asked him if, since he wanted to work closer with Congress, it's really a good idea to put out "Veto threats". In other words, if he should be telling Congress that he will Veto certain bills if they don't meet certain standards. A fairly valid question.

President Bush responded that he needs to be part of the process, and he needs to let them know that he has certain standards for the bills that he will sign into law. To this point, a perfectly valid response. Too bad he didn't stop there. He said that he would not approve of over the top spending, and that he had told Congress the same thing when the Republicans were in charge... "and they listened."

In other words, he said that when the Republicans were in control of Congress, they didn't overspend our money! I almost fell over. I mean, it's nothing new to hear a politician lie, but to hear it so blatantly, and so outrageously, is beyond even what we normally expect.

One would think that the fact that the Democrats won control of Congress in the last election, primarily due to the fact that the Republicans were spending tax dollars like a bunch of drunken sailors after an extended at sea deployment, should have clued him in that we are aware of the fact that they were not fiscally responsible. Perhaps he thinks we are as stupid as the media does, which told us that the GOP lost so many seats because of people wanting to get out of Iraq, but really, most of the American people know better.

Mr. President, if you can't be honest, please, at least show us enough respect to craft a believable lie.