OPINION

Had Enough of Broken Promises?

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After watching the first debate, I refuse to believe that American voters will choose an encore for Obama's version of "hope and change." Regardless of his new campaign promises, Romney reminded us of Obama's failed trickle-down-government and his string of broken promises. Here are ten reasons that it's time for a change in Washington.

1. He said, "I am pledging to cut the deficit we inherited by half by the end of my first term in office." Instead the deficit has increased by over $5.3 trillion and keeps on growing!

2. He said, "Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency." But he consistently made back-room deals, bringing Nancy Pelosi to say regarding the Affordable Care Act, "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it." We are still finding out what is in it!

3. He promised, "Under the plan, if you like your current health insurance, nothing changes, except your costs will go down by as much as $2,500 per year." But, since 2009, premiums have risen by $2,370 a year. Health insurance premiums are becoming the biggest single monthly payment after mortgages. That cost will soon get a lot worse unless something is done.

4. He campaigned saying, "If you choose change, you will have a nominee who doesn't take a dime from Washington Lobbyists. Doesn't take a dime from Washington PACS. And when I am President, their days of setting the agenda in Washington will be over." He's rejected public funding and his contributions from the PACS and labor union are setting records.

5. He promised that if Congress passed the stimulus plan, unemployment wouldn't go over 8%. Unemployment has been above 8% for 43 straight months, and 23 million Americans have stopped looking for work, are out of work, or are underemployed. More of the same policies is not the answer!

6. He said investing in alternative energy and restricting our dependence on oil and gas would produce a profitable energy future. Solyndra went bankrupt taking our tax money with it. His policies have increased our dependence on foreign oil and resulted in exorbitant gas prices. Romney promises jobs and energy independence by taking advantages of our own energy resources.

7. He said he'd raise incomes for people, but Sentier Research reports that household incomes are down more than 8% since Obama took office. That's a reduction of over $4,000 for the average family. Can you afford four more years?

8. Ronald Reagan said, You +1'd this publicly.

"We should measure welfare's success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added." Under Obama, food stamp usage has increased 100%. About 32 million households, or 27.1 percent, benefited from at least one means-tested poverty program. Do you want more government dependency or do you want freedom and a free-enterprise economic recovery that produces jobs?

9. Obama openly supports class warfare: "I'm calling on Congress to extend the tax cuts for the 98 percent of Americans who make less than $250,000 for another year." Because income tax does not apply to those who are already rich; most who are rich pay only capital gains tax, not income tax. Obama's income tax is a punishment for those who are aspiring to achieve their dreams and are on their way to becoming rich. Admittedly, the amount generated by targeting our most successful citizens won't even make a dent in the budget deficit. After government runs out of money from your successful neighbors to fund your benefits, guess who is next? They'll come after you to take away the rewards for achieving your dreams!

10. The Middle East is the most visible collapse in the unraveling of the Obama administration's foreign policy. The Arab Spring Obama supported has exploded. From his failure to increase security on a 9/11 anniversary to his consistently blaming an anti-Muslim video and an apparent terrorist involvement cover-up, it's clear that Obama is riding a weak horse in the eyes of the enemy. This president's weakness has resulted in the loss of American lives and is provocative to the terrorists who are still at war.

In light of his record, President Obama's words now ring hollow, if not produce a grating note! Fool Americans once, blame our charismatic president's campaign skills. Fool Americans twice, blame voters for truly being fools.