GOP and Media Coalition of Myths and Falsehoods

If you actually believe something is true, you do not have to use half-truths and lies to support it. If the truth does not support what you believe, isn’t it time to question the belief?

Sean Hannity apparently believes that Obama went abroad and shamed our country by “blaming America first.” To support this belief, Hannity offered a truncated clip from an April 3 speech in France in which Obama said:

"In America, there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America's shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive."

Standing alone, that statement seems to support Hannity’s claim. But that was not a stand alone statement. What Hannity failed to show or mention at any point in his broadcast were the very next words out of Obama’s mouth:

"But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what's bad." Obama continued: "On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common. They are not wise. They do not represent the truth. They threaten to widen the divide across the Atlantic and leave us both more isolated. They fail to acknowledge the fundamental truth that America cannot confront the challenges of this century alone, but that Europe cannot confront them without America."

So why didn’t Hannity include or even mention this part of Obama’s statement? Could it be because it doesn’t sound like “blaming America” when you hear the whole thing?

When Obama released his 2010 Budget Proposal Republicans, aided and abetted by media figures and outlets, let fly with myths and falsehoods about the proposal.

The Republicans’ claim that Obama’s budget would increase taxes on a large percentage of small businesses has been uncritically repeated, gone unchallenged, and advanced by CNBC’s Joe Kernen and Maria Bartiromo, ABC’s Jake Tapper, CNN’s David Gergen and Dana Bash, Fox News’ Sean Hannity (isn’t that a surprise!), as well as the AP, Washington Post, New York Times and Politico.

The truth: According to the Tax Policy Center only 2% of small businesses would be affected by Obama’s tax proposal.

The Republicans’ claim that using the budget reconciliation process would be an “unprecedented” tactic has been furthered by media figures and outlets. The Hill mentioned GOP critics who claimed the reconciliation process was not intended to “ram through major legislation” without mentioning Republican use of the process during the Bush administration. Fox News’ Molly Hennegerg falsely claimed reconciliation was last used in 2001. This “error” was later apologized for by colleague Bret Baier who stated it had been used more recently. Hannity falsely claimed reconciliation would allow passage of legislation without Republicans “even having the opportunity to vote.”

The truth: Not only did the Republicans use the reconciliation process to pass the Bush Tax Cuts in 2001, they used it in 2003 for the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, and in 2005 for the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act. Hannity’s claim is patently false as the budget reconciliation process which was approved by a majority vote of both Houses, does not deny any member of Congress the opportunity to vote.

The Republicans’ claim that health-care reform should not be attempted because of the current and projected federal debt has also been suggested by many media figures: Hannity (does this man even understand the concept of checking facts or offering both sides of the argument?) claims Obama wants to expand government and is going to bankrupt the country. A Washington Times editorial called health care reform a “costly administration legislative priority” and articles by Tom LoBianco and Tony Blankley talked of the expense of health care reform with no mention of why Obama was proposing to move ahead with it. Karl Rove, who unbelievably acts as though he speaks for them, claims “the people” are concerned about taxes, the deficit and spending and that jobs, education, and health care, are not their main concerns. What year is this man living in?

The truth: As Obama has explained, according to almost every single person who has looked at the country’s long term fiscal situation, the best way to bend the curve on deficit projections is to reduce health care costs. Peter Orszag, Office of Management and Budget director, testified before the House Ways and Means Committee about the 2010 budget stating “the principal driver of our nation's long-term budget problem is rising health care costs.”

How can any person capable of thought continue to dismiss clear and evident facts that contradict what the GOP and media parrots are saying? You do not have to be well educated or even particularly intelligent to distinguish between lies and the truth. All you need is a desire to know the truth and a willingness to accept it when you hear it.