Or how about this promise, delivered by Mr. Obama in remarks to the American Medical Association on June 15: "No matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise: If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period. If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period."

Not so fast: Many provisions in the Democrats' health care plans, such as the so-called "public option," would undermine the private insurance market, causing many to lose their health insurance coverage. Mr. Obama has also spoken approvingly of a Senate proposal that would have reportedly allowed people as young as 55 to buy into Medicare; unfortunately, such a plan would have created a "crowd out effect," squeezing "out the availability of private coverage, including retiree coverage from a former employer," according to The Heritage Foundation.

Whichever version (if any) of health care reform lands on Mr. Obama's desk, there's a good chance that it would 1) raise taxes, 2) explode the long-term budget deficit and 3) jeopardize private health care options, all in direct variance with Mr. Obama's repeated pledges to the American people.

Which raises the question: Why would he sign it?