Finding the Truth, Even From the President

During the investigation of a serious crime, initially there is confusion. There are victims, witnesses, a crime scene and intangibles. The investigator interviews each participant and witness within a short time. During this initial interview the investigator is not trying to convict or assign blame, but is only seeking the baseline story. It is called marrying a person to their story. Later, each story will be looked at in light of evidence coming from the crime scene, witnesses and lab work. By marrying a person to a story, the facts as they emerge will lead the investigator to the questions that must be answered; by comparing the original story, the evidence and consequent statements, a trail will emerge leading to an untruthful person.

Sequester was a big deal over the last month. The President said this was a plan developed by the Republicans. The President flew on Air Force One to several cities to decry the drastic cuts that would take place because of a plan demanded by Republicans. To the entire world, this was a man disgusted with this flawed plan. Then the evidence started to emerge.

First, award-winning correspondent Bob Woodward presented evidence in his most recent book showing the idea actually belonged to the President. Whenever Woodward appears on television talk shows, his talking points are usually liberal. But apparently hearing the President misleading about the sequester was too much for him. After speaking up, Woodward was immediately attacked by the very people who have always viewed him as a friend. Finally, a few days later the White House admitted, it was the President's idea and then went on to explain why it was the Republican’s fault anyway.

The President presented his baseline story. He vigorously defended his story. He spent thousands of taxpayer dollars flying around the country, expanding his story. Then the evidence revealed itself. The evidence did not support the baseline statement. Should there be a cost to misleading the American people, should the press be held accountable for a lousy, partisan job of reporting and should Hollywood, which supports the President, make a movie showing he will fabricate facts to further his agenda?

The President outlined Draconian cuts resulting from cutting the Federal Budget by 2.4%. He talked about long lines at airports, a reduced number of FBI agents, people losing their housing, lack of medical care for the poor. The President was crying “wolf.” His baseline story: This 2.4% cut was a disaster. Yet, many knew, baseline budgeting by the Federal Government guarantees the Federal Budget increases each year. When the President was making all the statements about what the cuts would do, he knew the budget was set to increase. The President knew that, in the jargon of Washington, a cut was only a cut in the amount of growth of the budget. When evidence showed this 2.4% would not reduce overall spending, his baseline statement collapsed.

Once a detective finds a deceitful person, that person becomes a suspect. In your own experience, when you have a friend who lies to you, how much do you trust them? In business, when a supplier lies to you, do you still do business with them? If your employer lied to you about your career, would you continue to work with that company?

This President has showed, when given a chance, he will deceive before he tries convincing. This President showed he does not want to lead; he wants to sell his ideas. This President is the champion of ideas which paint the picture of America as an unfair, biased country started by the rich who take advantage of the poor. Like many of the things he says, the President is married to a baseline story that cannot standup to evidence. The President counts on people dealing in personalities rather than facts. Still not convinced? Start paying attention to what this administration says and then follow-up with what actually happens. You will see a pattern.

We know there will be no legal consequences for misleading. We know the press will flavor the President's deceit in a favorable manner, so it is left to the American People to decide how to deal with this Administration.