Obama's Rhetoric Versus Reality

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Obama's Rhetoric Versus Reality

Doubtless much will be made of President Obama's speech to the Muslim world, delivered yesterday (06-04-2009) at Cairo University, Egypt, during which he listed seven "specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together":

"The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms."
"The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world."
"The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons."
"The fourth issue that I will address is democracy."
"The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom."
"The sixth issue -- the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights."
"Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity."

Arguably the single most important issue -- and the one foundational to all the others -- is democracy. And so it is imperative that we look past President Obama's eloquent rhetoric in order to remind ourselves of the not-so-eloquent reality regarding this all-important issue.

President Obama said:

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)

I know -- I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.

That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)

Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments -- provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

(click here for the full transcript)

One hardly knows where to begin in addressing the stark discrepancies between what President Obama said and what he has actually done -- and continues to do -- in his administration. But let us try.

RHETORIC: "we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election"

REALITY: The allegations of serious impropriety, including many and various illegal activities, surrounding then-Senator Obama's presidential campaign are legion.

RHETORIC: "the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed"

REALITY: Taking their cue from the President, the current Democrat-controlled Congress routinely suppresses discussion and public input, frantically rushing through legislation that may very well prove socially and economically disastrous for decades to come.

RHETORIC: "confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice"

REALITY: This statement is proved false by President Obama's dogged determination to politicize sexual orientation and enshrine the LGBT community as a specially protected class.

RHETORIC: "government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people"

REALITY: Considering the federal stimulus package, TARP, governmental intrusion into privately owned businesses, and the use of tax dollars to further the culture of death, this statement is the height of hypocrisy.

RHETORIC: "the freedom to live as you choose"

REALITY: Our most basic American rights, including religious freedom and freedom of speech, are being attacked on every level and from every side -- not by extremists (although that is true also), but by the very people we have elected to protect us.

RHETORIC: "Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away."

REALITY: Government sponsored suppression of ideas -- including character assassination -- is a favorite liberal tactic.

RHETORIC: "there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others"

REALITY: Having gained power, President Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress are indeed "ruthless in suppressing the rights of others" in their efforts to force their destructive liberal agenda onto an unwitting public.

RHETORIC: "you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party"

REALITY: While party politics is a fact of life, "bipartisanship" is a popular idea in Washington only when Democrats are in the minority.

Please click here for numerous examples of the realities presented above.

Amazingly, all this represents but one(!) of the seven issues addressed by President Obama. Is there any real reason to believe differently regarding the other six?

A prayer: Gracious God, please bless whatever President Obama seeks to do that is good and right and true as defined by your inspired, authoritative Word, the Bible. Merciful Father, please block whatever he seeks to do that is not. And please, dear Lord, help people to discern the difference between rhetoric and reality.

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