Misinterpreting Obama

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.....The partisan divisions in our country under President Obama have become even more pronounced than the divisiveness during the Bush era. The Right and the Left are at each other's throats. Some of this antagonism may be the result of misconceptions about the goals of our President. I will try to clarify the Obama doctrine by translating what the President has said, and proposing what it really means.



What he says: From the Obama campaign website - “Barack Obama will work with military commanders on the ground in Iraq and in consultation with the Iraqi government to end the war safely and responsibly within 16 months.”

What he means: I will maintain the Bush policies of the status quo in Iraq, and will send additional troops to Afghanistan without a plan to end the war.



What he says: From the Barack Obama Counterterrorism Factsheet - "Barack Obama opposed the Bush Administration’s initial policy on warrantless wiretaps because it crossed the line between protecting our national security and eroding the civil liberties of American citizens."

What he means: This warrantless wiretap thing comes in sort of handy.



What he says: 2004 3rd Illinois Senate debate - "I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman..."

What he means: I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, and I could care less about the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy in the military.



What he says: October 7, Presidential debate - "If you make less than a quarter of a million dollars a year, you will not see a single dime of your taxes go up."

What he means: I will greatly increase the tobacco tax, which will disparately hit low income households. I will leave the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy in place.



What he says: December 2008 - "I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that."

What he means: I had good intentions.



What he says: The White House website - "The President remains committed to bringing more transparency to government."

What he means: Dick Cheney said it would be a bad idea for me to release the interrogation photographs, so I won't.




What he says: May 14 (Bloomberg) -- "President Barack Obama, calling current deficit spending 'unsustainable,'..."

What he means: Massive tax increases for everyone.


What he says: 2004 Democratic Convention - "There's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there is the United States of America. "

What he means: I will nationalize all financial institutions, corporations, and media outlets, and we will have a fascist America.
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