Lie or Truth?

This is a real dilemma for all of us. Whether we’re reading and article, or seeing a post, or hearing a statement in a speech, how do we know whether or not it is true or is it a lie?

A lie is defined as “…to say something that knowingly isn't true…” (http://www.yourdictionary.com/lie#rYWYwEpF3BZ4itBp.99). So the key is “knowingly.” If I tell someone I’m 64, when I’m actually 74, I lied.

When President Barak Obama said: “If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period!” and “If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period!” (http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/06/15/obama-if-you-like-your-doctor-you-can-keep-your-doctor/).  That’s a tough one as we all know. The truth is, it didn’t turn out that way. But did the President lie? I don’t think he “knowingly” lied. One thing is for sure, he did not keep his promise. And he definitely misled the American people. Especially when he emphasized it with the “Period.” I believed him. I really did!  But what complicates matters is that later we heard from Dr. Barry Gruber, one of the key architects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also know as Obama Care, stated that “…Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage. And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical for the thing to pass…” Dr Gruber had many personal visits with the President and the White House. At the time when President Obama made those statements, he wasn’t sure whether or not it was going to be possible. So I’m going to give the President a pass on this one.

When Senator Harry Reid, then Majority Leader of the US Senate, claimed in an interview that: “… a source he would not name had contacted him out of the blue and claimed that Mitt Romney had not paid any federal income taxes at all over the previous 10 years.".   Later Senator Harry Reid says he doesn't regret spreading false charges about Mitt Romney's taxes during the 2012 presidential campaign.  (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Politics-Voices/2015/0401/Harry-Reid-s-big-fib-on-Mitt-Romney-taxes-Why-it-matters-video). This was a lie!

I find that politicians “misspeak” and “make mistakes” or just “retract” but never confirm that they lied. They simply revise their statement, update it, or retract it. 

If you “google” “What lies has President Trump told?” you’ll find more than 40 pages of articles claiming he lied.  I came up with about 15 pages for President Obama on the same question. So, this proves my point, politicians and Presidents lie but they are never called lies, they are just not telling the whole truth. We are taught early on to tell the truth. What happened America?

This is a sad state of affairs for our country.  We can’t trust anyone! Do the research and make up your own mind.