Another day, another Obama ch-ch-change promise broken:
A former Treasury official has told the watchdog for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout program that President Obama’s promise to restrict lobbyist access to the bailout was made purely for political reasons.
Months after the administration’s pledge, the lobbyist rules haven’t been implemented and Neel Kashkari, the one-time czar of the agency’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, told the office of the special inspector general for TARP that the pledge to craft safeguards against lobbyist influence was a defensive move.
“Mr. Kashkari believed that this statement was purely for political reasons with Obama’s new entering administration, and that there was no substantive reason for this announcement,” the office wrote in a document obtained by The Washington Times in which the inspector general recounted Mr. Kashkari’s April 30 interview with the auditors.
“He noted that, at that time, there had been headlines in the press regarding lobbyists influencing the process, and Treasury wanted to show that they were taking action,” the inspector general’s office wrote.
Mr. Kashkari, a former executive at Goldman Sachs who was tapped in October by Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. to oversee the distribution of TARP cash to vulnerable firms, stepped down in April after serving under the Obama administration since January. Attempts to reach Mr. Kashkari for comment on this report were unsuccessful.
In January, amid concerns that lobbyists would sway TARP decisions, the Treasury Department pledged to write rules to restrict their access, acting “in light of President Obama’s firm commitment to transparency, accountability and oversight in our government’s approach to stabilizing the financial system.”
More than six months later, the rules have not been issued.
200 billion bucks later and no rules, as promised by Obama, have been implemented. Rep. Darrell Issa described it perfectly in the article by saying the Obama administration is “saying one thing while doing another.”
“It’s very apparent that the talk about curbing and limiting lobbyist influence was nothing more than smoke and mirrors in an effort to mislead the American people into believing their tax dollars would be protected,” Mr. Issa said.
“The Treasury Department has actively obstructed our ability to determine what the true value of the TARP investments are worth and what TARP recipients are doing with taxpayer dollars. Until we have full transparency, we will never be able to know how much risk Treasury is assuming on behalf of the taxpayers,” Mr. Issa said.
You know what would be news? When Obama actually kept a promise that he made to get himself elected.
See author page
Just another obama promise that has not been kept. Too bad the MSM doesn’t hold him accountable.
(sarcasm warning for libs)
Couldn’t be “His Presidency’s” fault…1) he must have been taken out of context OR 2) the teleprompter made him make this promise…
The whole Obama campaign was one big long shuck and jive act to get him elected, so he could do with US what he wanted. I don’t think this is how it works.
So why should anyone believe any of the “promises” Obama is making regarding the Obama Hell-care plan? He says, “You can keep your health care plan.” He says, “It will save money and be a part of reform.’ Don’t believe it. There’s only ONE thing you can be most certain of; if Obama’s mouth is moving, he’s telling a lie. Obama is an incessant liar.
Well! I’m SHOCKED!! Just SHOCKED, I tell you!
Obama breaks a promise… STOP THE PRESSES!
Yawn….. Mebbe he could deflect any notice by shifting the stage to MO – surely she’s made another fashion statement that we should slobber over!
Any promises this guy has kept? I can’t think of any!
He got his kids a dog….it took him six months or so, but he did at least keep that one.
I’ve read where many of those who voted for Obama are seeing the kind of “reform” and “change” they didn’t know they would be confronted with. Surprise.
Let them repent and say, “Screw me once, shame on you, Obama. Screw me twice (with government Healthcare), Obama, shame on me.” These are our most loyal, and growing, opposition to the Obama healthcare and other obnoxious, socialistic, retarded “reforms”.
My My, most people try to catch a president in a lie. We are trying to catch him telling the truth. Hasn’t happened yet. We can only HOPE he will CHANGE his ways and start telling the truth. I am not going to hold my breath because them they will call in the death panel and suggest I take a pill instead of telling me something true so I can breathe freely again. LIES, LIES, LIES. And, most importantly, it is coming from the same people who swore to tell the truth SO HELP ME GOD! Guess God doesn’t mean much to a Muslim criminal.
My opinion
Madalyn
BO’s future biographical movie title, should entitled “True Lies.”
‘Bout time for a Reichstag Fire of some sort, isn’t it?
Why no links in the source to back up this claim??
True or not, it still fails in comparison to an unjust war that costs $720 million daily that led to the deaths of thousands of soldiers and innocent civilians, the previous administrations disregard of law and the near destruction of the US economy.
@Ruinous Right:
Another typical liberal exhibiting typically liberal hypocritical debating skills.
Redirect/hijack the conversation, ask for links but doesn’t supply them for the typically liberal Bush bad rant. SSDD.
BTW, you want links, here’s one for you:
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/09/01/kevin-mccullough-obama-implode/?storytab=story-detail
I believe #4 applies here, but, don’t miss the rest of the article:
“4. Obama’s Integrity Has Been Tarnished in August
Not a great deal has been made of the whoppers that the president has been spewing while Congress has been away during the summer recess but it turns out that more people than I realized have also noticed the president wildly “exaggerating” in his talks on health care. For instance, the president confused the $500 physicians actually get to amputate a foot as opposed to the $50,000 that he claimed they got. He also showed an utter disregard for the reputation of those doctors he talks about, the “facts” he uses to make his argument, and is highly overly optimistic about the results of his policies. Long story short, at the beginning of the summer Americans mostly trusted him, his passion index was at +10, he heads into the fall at -14.”
@ Missy
A biased opinion piece from the Republican Propaganda Channel?? What a surprise.
Do you really think the Iraq war has been worth the $680 billion spent to date? Has it been worth the lives of over 4200 U.S. soldiers and thousands of dead civilians? Has it been worth the injuries suffered by over 30,000 who serve our country? A majority of US citizens believe the Iraq war was a colossal mistake and it’s one of the reasons our economy is in the tank. Have I exaggerated anything here??
http://costofwar.com/
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_casualties.htm
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
http://www.gallup.com/poll/106783/Opposition-Iraq-War-Reaches-New-High.aspx
http://www.gallup.com/poll/105217/Many-Americans-Say-History-Will-Judge-Iraq-War-Failure.aspx
So… let me ask again. Is there a link to back-up the claim above?
Ruinous Right, check out this link, charts and data. That should keep you busy for a week or two.
“Where can I see World War 1, World War 2, and World War 3 Statistics?”
Right here:
http://www.threeworldwars.com/overview.htm
D Day June 6, 1944 casualties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_Landings
Belligerents
United Kingdom
United States
Canada
Flag of France Free France
Poland
Norway Nazi Germany
Commanders
Flag of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower
Flag of the United Kingdom Bernard Montgomery
Flag of the United States Omar Bradley
Flag of the United Kingdom Trafford Leigh-Mallory
Flag of the United Kingdom Arthur Tedder
Flag of the United Kingdom Miles Dempsey
Flag of the United Kingdom Bertram Ramsay Flag of Germany Gerd von Rundstedt
Flag of Germany Erwin Rommel
Flag of Germany Friedrich Dollmann
Flag of Germany Hans von Salmuth
Flag of Germany Wilhelm Falley †
Strength
175,000 380,000
Casualties and losses
Total allied casualties (killed, wounded, missing, or captured) are estimated at approximately 10,000.
These comprised:[1][2]
United States–6,603, of which 1,465 fatal.
United Kingdom–2,700.
Canada–1,074, of which 359 fatal.
Between 4,000 and 9,000 dead, wounded, or captured.
Now bear in mind that was in just about three or four Days.
As I recall FDR was President and he was a wealthy Socialist/Democrat whose policies weakened the MIlitary and prolonged the Depression.
Draw your own conclusions. By the way Bucko, Team Obama has Quadrupled the National Debt in just 6 months. Have Fun and share this with your America Hating Marxist Pals.
Awww, what a surprise, you come in here to spew……and then get all hissy about FOX, what, did you forget to include the Washington Times is owned by Rev. Moon? You guys are slipping.
And yes, I do believe the Iraq War was worth every bit of the sacrifices we have made, your liberal infatuation with war polling and body counts doesn’t cut it with me. BTW, didn’t someone promise the American people if he were elected he would pull……how many troops a month out of Iraq? What’s changed? I know……he doubled up in Afghanistan.
Talk about propagandists, what a surprise, look who puts costofwar together:
http://www.nationalpriorities.org/about/board
http://www.nationalpriorities.org/node/5996
Now, back to Obama’s hopey-changey-broken promise topic being discussed that you’re having such a difficult time with. Apparently you are familiar with google………use it to dispute it.
@ Old Trooper
I was requesting the link that supports the information above, but thanks for all the info that has nothing to do with my posts.
@ Missy
Are you denying that Fox News is the ‘voice of opposition to the Obama administration’?? The senior vice president for programming at FNC made this claim during an interview on NPR in March. There is a mountain of evidence to support that claim.
http://www.politicususa.com/en/Fox-News-Voice-of-Opposition
Are you denying the figures I quoted regarding the Iraq war?? I could provide many other links to back them up if necessary. What have we gotten in exchange for all the money spent and lives lost?? Can you justify the costs?? Have you shared your views with a family who has lost a love one in Iraq??
Looks like Obama kept his promises made regarding Iraq and Afghanistan:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/125/direct-military-leaders-to-end-war-in-iraq/
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/134/send-two-additional-brigades-to-afghanistan/
Sorry to burst your bubble.
Okay… found the link to the original article. The OP failed to include this link or sight the original source which it should. Additional text not included here:
“Treasury has pumped about $200 billion in TARP funds into failing banks, and nearly $70 billion of that has been repaid.
Mr. Kashkari told the government auditors in April that part of the reason the rules hadn’t been issued was because the department was sorting through First Amendment concerns that could be involved in restricting lobbyist communications.
While heading TARP, he had received calls from members of Congress, he said, but he was certain there was no undue influence on Treasury’s decisions.
In an Aug. 6 audit report, the inspector general’s office said it hadn’t found any evidence of lobbying having influenced TARP decisions, but that limitations on Treasury’s record-keeping made it impossible to be certain of that.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/01/obamas-lobbyist-curbs-are-political-watchdog-told/
Tracking Obama’s campaign promises:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/
@Ruinous Right:
Ummm, scroll up to the first line in the post.
The one that looks like this:
Notice the red part?
That’s your link. It’s been there the whole time.
Not the brightest bulb on the tree, eh?
Ruinous Right, It’s Your bubble not mine.
My Stats do support your agenda. So what?
My Stats dispute yours on costs and casualties from the most expensive War of All Times.
WWII by comparison vs Iraq or Afghanistan is relevant. I deployed to those places. in 2002 and 2003 and know the Human costs. I invested 28 months of My life there at personal risk.
Where is your outrage on the KFOR and SFOR Missions that are still ongoing with US Troops deployed and no end in sight? I did two deployments there, 26 months. We still send Troops and spend money. That was a Clinton Admin Mission. We had casualties there and US Tax Dollars are paying for it. WE stopped the Genocide there years ago. How many Lefties want the Troops home from there?
Be very careful about living in a glass house.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Force
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SFOR
When is Team Obama considering those Missions Completed?
Tell me why Obama’s Poll numbers are slipping?
@ Aye Chihuahua
My mistake, but the link should be more clear and should include the missing text if the OP wishes to be fully honest. The accusation that lobbyists have influenced TARP decisions is simply speculation and has not been proven.
@ Old Trooper
Thank you for your service. I support our troops and I only referenced the 2003 Iraq war since the justification for it was rather flimsy (if not completely dishonest) and the costs have contributed to the current downturn in our economy. Most Americans view it as a costly mistake.
Obama’s poll numbers are slipping for a number of reasons. He inherited two wars and the worst economy since the Great Depression. He’s had to make some difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions to turn things around. He’s being pressured by both the far left and right on a number of issues which has put him between a rock and a hard place. The massive amounts of misinformation that is coming from the far right doesn’t help much either. Still, the accusations being made fail to compare to the missteps and disregard for law of the previous administration.
His poll numbers are slipping because rational, clear headed people are pointing out his lies and inept running of the government. We are tired of hearing Narcissistic Bureaucrats misdirect and spend without the thought of the people they are selling into economic slavery. Then standing back and acting like they did us all a favor and not accepting the blame for any of thier failings.
@Ruinous Right:
The only way to make the link any more obvious would be perhaps blinking text and we don’t routinely use that here.
As to the missing text, does it change the meaning of the post? Does the missing text change the fact that the promise has not been kept?
Didn’t think so.
Yes, he inherited an economy which he promptly drove head first into the ground.
Hmmm….Lots of bad decisions and massive amounts of spending yet no sign of anything turning around.
Yep, he’s been pressured by the left to spend, spend, spend in a hurry, hurry, hurry wreckless sort of fashion and guess what? He’s given in at every turn. In fact, he’s lead the charge toward the cliff.
Pressure from the right? That’s funny. The guy has the votes in the House and the Senate to do whatever he wants. Pressure from the right has no bearing on anything.
What misinformation do you speak of?
Put the straw man away. He’s tired and worn from your previous efforts on this thread.
The topic is Obie and his ongoing string of broken promises.
@Ruinous Right:
Some people do better with pictures:
See the little line on the right with the “F” under it? That’s the Iraq war.
See the big line on the right with the “G” under it? That’s gov’t borrowing 2010-2020.
My my Aye…I think you just ruined RuinousRight’s day…..that is IF he can understand the graph….we’ll see
Why do so many people on the right resort to juvenile tactics and condescending tones when someone disagrees with their views?? *shrugs*
“Yes, he inherited an economy which he promptly drove head first into the ground.”
“Hmmm….Lots of bad decisions and massive amounts of spending yet no sign of anything turning around.”
That view doesn’t jibe with the majority of economists or the reality of recovering markets.
“What misinformation do you speak of?”
Health care reform misinformation comes to mind.
http://www.ruinousright.com/2009/09/health-care-reform-misinformation.html
@Ruinous Right:
You, the owner of a condescending screen name dare to even ask that question?
Really? That’s amusing.
Seems you set the tone from your very first post but that doesn’t bother me. You’re the one complaining. Was it my “brightest bulb” comment that grated your nerves or the fact that I provided you with a picture that was more comprehendable?
Which majority of economists would that be?
What recovery? Surely, you’re not being lulled into a false sense of well being based strictly on stock exchange numbers are you?
Do fill us in please.
You can do that right here on these pages. I’m not interested in giving traffic to some other blog.
I do so very much look forward to your efforts toward educating us on our shortcomings.
Be aware though, that the authors, contributors, and readers here at FA are some of the brightest, most well read, thoroughly informed people you will come across on the Interwebz.
This is most likely not the type of sandbox you’re accustomed to playing in.
Many on the left have found out too late that a perusal of our archives would have prevented them from making a complete fool of themselves.
YMMV
PS….You never did answer. Did the exclusion of the text your pointed out in #18 change the meaning of the original post? Did it change the fact that the promise has not been kept?
Wow. What great Economist believes in Taxing or Borrowing Your way into Prosperity?
Karl Marx did but I don’t.
I am a businessman and operate at a profit. I have TRICARE for Life as a retired Military Officer.
I am not affiliated with Any Political Party. I can balance a checkbook though and can smell bullcrap a half mile off. I own a cattle ranch in Montana and pay my bills and taxes on time.
I paid into Social Security but don’t expect to collect a dime. I am conservative by nature and am a Capitalist. I employ over 30 folks Full Time and have a payroll that I meet with no Government subsidies and do it despite occaisional Government interference.
America is living on money that it does not have and has non sustainable programs. The only Private Free Enterprise American Industries that Obama has stimulated is Firearms and Ammunition manufacturers so far. That should give pause for thought.
Amen Old Trooper. I grew up under Carter and know what we are in store for the next 4 years. This is only the begining.
For those who suggest that there may be 4 years of Obama, at this point it is doubtful. The repugnance of what Obama is trying to do is just coming to light. Obama and his minions are saying that they are looking toward a new “season”. That’s right. Fall. The Fall of Obama.
@ Aye Chihuahua
You may not like the name, but I’ve addressed user comments and the OP like an adult. My handle was chosen while watching the far right lead this great country down a path of destruction – an unjust war costing billions, thousands of lost lives, disregard for the rule of law and an economy on life support. We’re all paying for it now.
“Was it my “brightest bulb” comment that grated your nerves or the fact that I provided you with a picture that was more comprehendable?”
I can take anything you can dish out. I was just hoping you could demonstrate a bit more maturity.
Most of the Obama/Dem bashing I see here and around the web is based on things conservatives imagine happening and not based in reality. Common comparisons to socialism, Marx, Chavez and Hitler demonstrate an ignorance of government structures and history.
The misinformation campaign is in full force and as an example you only need search ‘health care misinformation’ to find a mountain of evidence. It seems the right has resorted to falsehoods and distorted truths in lieu of any sound ideas to help turn this country around.
“PS….You never did answer. Did the exclusion of the text your pointed out in #18 change the meaning of the original post? Did it change the fact that the promise has not been kept?”
It seems the administration has not yet delivered on that promise, however the exclusion of the additional text suggests there is something to hide. It’s a common far right tactic to stir up doubt.
Mr. Right,
Your funny.
Tom in CA
@Ruinous Right:
As I said, your moniker bothers me not one whit. I just found it amazingly hypocritical for you to whine and complain when you set the very tone you’re complaining about.
Apparently you are incapable of taking whatever is dished out because you went straight for the “you’re picking on me” tactic.
So many talking points, so little time. You must really have the blinders strapped on tight if you wish to blame the “right” for the situation that we find ourselves in.
Your willingness to point fingers at the “right” indicates an ignorance of history regarding how we got onto the path that led us to where we are. Again, I strongly encourage you to do some research within the archives here at FA before you delve too deeply into any of the subjects that you wish to blame on the “right”.
Those efforts toward self education will prevent you from being brutally schooled later on.
In the interim, let me ask you some questions:
How is the war unjust? Could it possibly be that the people we helped to free don’t have the skin color that you prefer? Is their blood not red enough for you? Do you like the idea that men were being bound and blindfolded and then thrown off of the top of buildings repeatedly until they died? Was it OK with you for women to be brought into the soccer stadium and shot in the head while the crowd watched? What are your thoughts on mass graves?
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have indeed cost our country in blood and treasure. Personally, I find those expenditures worthwhile. YMMV.
What “disregard for the rule of law” are you referring to? I know that we have Tim “TurboTax” Geithner, the tax cheat in the position of Sect’y of the Treasury, and Charlie “I forgot to report it” Rangel still serving in Congress. Harry “Sweet Land Deal” Reid is still in the Senate (for now).
In the White House we’ve got a multitude of unconstitutional czars. These czars have criminal pasts, radical associations, and views that are clearly outside of the mainstream of America.
Is that the “disregard for the rule of law” that you are referring to?
I could go on and on but you’re no more likely to be able to answer the questions that I didn’t ask than you are the ones that I have.
Really?
Do please educate us on the error of our ways. Please point out our ignorance, our misinterpretations, and our shortcomings if you have the ability to do so.
I eagerly await your response. You will, however, find that it is not anyone in this forum who is firmly in possession of ignorance.
It’s not my responsibility to do your research for you. You’ve made the claims, now it’s time for you to get the supporting evidence out on the table. Either that, or go sit down.
From your first post here, you’ve engaged in one platitude after another accompanied by talking point rhetoric and little snippets of things you’ve picked up around the Interwebz.
Do, please, run along now and do some research into your claims and come back in here with some supporting evidence so that we can have a fact centered adult conversation.
As of right now, quite frankly, you’re starting to bore me.
@ Aye Chihuahua
Seems you were able to ignore the last 8 years… perhaps you can ignore the ones ahead.
Enjoy your little world as you work your way to maturity.
@Ruinous Right:
All networks should be the voice of opposition, the job of the fourth estate is to hold those in power accountable to the public.
Do you suggest that Major Garrett’s, FOX’s White House press corp member, reports are biased? Or any other FOX correspondant reporting from the White House? If so, you would be wrong.
So what, and the problem with this statement is?
“There were a couple of people who basically wrote about our demise come last November [and] December and were, I guess, rooting for us to go away. With this particular group of people in power right now, and the honeymoon they’ve had from other members of the media, does it make it a little bit easier for us to be the voice of opposition on some issues?”
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090812102943AAv1gsn
I’ve already responded to questions of this nature above.
Yes I have. I’ve also spoke with my son after he lost members of his crew during Gulf I….and my nephew who has served in Iraq and will be in Afghanistan in a few months. I’ve also experienced the worry and turmoil of having family members in Vietnam(as an Army wife, cousin and friend of many), Gulf I,(mother) and Iraq(aunt and cousin).
I have had family in every war since WWI, all made it home but not without injuries.
Yeah right. Which Obama do we believe?
January/2007
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/30/AR2007013001586.html
One of the Politifact articles:
July/2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/opinion/14obama.html?_r=1
December/08
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2008/12/04/for-barack-obama-breaking-a-campaign-promise-easier-than-ending/
August/2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/17/barack-obama-iraq-withdrawal-afghanistan
_________________
Those who believe that peace is achieved by acquiescing to dictators and appeasing tyrants would celebrate our forsaking of this cause……The path of least resistance always beckons, but is never the course a leader takes. Lance Thompson
@Ruinous Right:
I’ve repeatedly invited you to educate me.
As of yet, you’ve not done so.
Please, please, shower me with your excellent wisdom and superior knowledge.
I notice that, once again, you fail to present any facts. Nor do you refute the facts that are presented to you.
You also continue to dodge the difficult, sometimes sticky questions.
Could it be that you’re an empty suit like your dear leader?
As I said, this is not likely the type of sandbox in which you are accustomed to playing.
To all of you who disagree with the creators of this site, take this into consideration: I went to a far left site just to see what they were saying. I had to register, and login. Once I did that, I was able to read some of the vile they were spewing about all of the Republicans, especially Sarah Palin. I decided to comment, and this is what I said EXACTLY:
Why is it so important for you to try and defile a good mother, daughter, person, ex-governor, etc. What has she done to you to warrant this type of slander?
I waited for 3 days for my comment to be posted, and it never was. I guess if you have something good to say about someone who has morals, a conscience, and good work habits, they don’t want to hear it. It also took me over a week to get them to quit sending me their vile hate-spewing newsletters. The first one I got, I went in and selected to discontinue the newletters. I had to do this on a daily basis for over a week before they finally stopped.
At least your comments get posted here, regardless of how immature or stupid they are. Gotta give these good people credit for letting you voice your opinion. Not so on other sites.
My opinion
Madalyn
Awesome read , I’m going to spend more time researching this topic