What Is The Responsibility To Tell The Truth?

Chris Christie in his speech today indicated that one of the keys to progress in his state was that they educated the public of dire consequences. 

He did not say "Well, we kinda mentioned it as a problem and that we should address (sometime)."

The President needs to lead in this area and to tell the truth.

Also, he needs to lead by not having the executive branch wait for the others to come up with suggestions. 

The President will not have fulfilled his obligation to be an honest leader until:

1.  he acknowledges specifically the amount of the unfunded obligations of Social Security and Medicare and
2.  puts forward a set of specific suggestions on how to solve the problem.

Yes, there is a political risk but he must make a decision of being political or of being in integrity.

Whether someone agrees with all the specifics of the suggestions or not, Paul Ryan put together a comprehensive plan.  Yes, the opposition did make claims that he was destroying Medicare "as we know it" and that it would cost $6,000 more per person or household for insurance.  But they failed to address the whole picture, that the poor would be covered and that there would be benefits that would be means-tested - in other words those who could afford their own care would receive less benefits even though they paid into the "fund".  That is actually a tax increase for the wealthy, but it is one that would work. 

Will we have leaders that educate us with the truth and specifics about the dire consequences?  Will you support someone who doesn't meet this key test?

Will we have leaders who do not make specific suggestions on how to solve problems?  Will you support someone who doesn't meet this key test? 

Obama actually ignored any necessities when he submitted his budget, which the senate voted down 97-0.  There is a more significant statement there than has been emphasized.  Do we want a President who ignores or is not fully aware of the problems?  

There are too many questions...and, it seems, not very positive answers to them.  We need the President to represent the people's interests - all the people - with integrity. 

What do you think?

The Rational Non-Politician