TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY

C. Givon

President Obama often cites words like ‘trust’ and ‘transparency’ as requirements fitting for the office of the Presidency of the United States.  It is, therefore, appropriate to scrutinize Mr. Obama’s record in this regard.  His near four years in office provide ample opportunity for such inspection. Two of the many examples should suffice.

In a private conversation with Russia’s Medvedev, President Obama – not realizing that the microphones were open – assured him that during his second term the President would have greater flexibility in dealing with the missile defense program in eastern Europe. The immediate public response was one of shock as it became evident that the President had secret plans. Today this begs the question as to what other arrangements are being hidden from Americans –to be acted upon should Obama be given the opportunity.

Another example still unraveling is that of the Benghazi murders of U.S. Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans. Details that are still being divulged point to an intentional coverup of the original contention that a video was at the root of the attack. This falsehood has been repeated by those who knew better from the start; a mere two hours after the attack the facts were in the hands of the Obama administration. In fact, the actual terrorist assault was being monitored as it was taking place!

There are many questions to be answered by the President and his associates.

Why was the request for adequate security refused although concerns were voiced several weeks  prior to the attack?  Since the administration immediately recognized it as a terrorist attack why did Susan Rice, Hillary Clinton, and the President use the video falsehood as the excuse for two weeks?  Why was the attack being monitored as it took place with no effort to intervene and save the lives of those who were massacred?  Why must Americans wait until after the election before receiving the truth about the Benghazi tragedy?  These are questions just for a start! 

Amply clear to all is the complete failure of President Obama to live up to his own demands for ‘trust’ and ‘transparency’. Given that an incumbent with a good record should be far ahead in the polls, it is obvious that Americans doubt the integrity of President Obama. It is this that should resound in the defeat of the present administration and the election of Gov. Mitt Romney to the Presidency of the United States.