Certain truths will always stand the test of time. I, for one, also find it fascinating when the truths are biblical. So much of current culture seems wired to remove any acknowledgement or accreditation to God. I can’t believe that’s good.
Here for one is a truth I think we each at least act like we embrace: actions speak louder than words. We are called not to love each other “with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Actions will always speak louder; speech can be hollow; our actions back up what we believe. For example…
- If we preach to our teens how substance abuse is a dangerous thing, then we can’t be putting all sorts of impurities into our own bodies.
- If we proclaim to be voices of tolerance, then we can’t spew at those who share different opinions on Facebook and Twitter.
- And if we advocate supporting the candidates of greatest integrity, then we can’t turn a blind eye to one of the parties.
Perhaps the place that the actions/words axiom is most visible this week is in the whole healthcare law presentation. Yes, I know many of us are fatigued of this frequent topic; some may say they’re sick of it. I agree. I would add that as has been referenced here since its inception, the Intramuralist is equally sick of the means in which the law was passed, and in the past week, my figurative nausea has only increased.
As now carried by an array of news sources (and referenced in Sunday’s post), Jonathan Gruber, a key architect of Obamacare, acknowledged that the only way the Affordable Care Act was passed was to play on “the stupidity of the American voter.” After the story transgressed from solely conservative sites and then into mainstream media, the White House finally paid attention to the claim. Pres. Obama responded Sunday while on his overseas trip: “I just heard about this… The fact that some adviser who never worked on our staff expressed an opinion that I completely disagree with, in terms of the voters, is no reflection on the actual process that was run.” Yet actions speak louder than words…
- Gruber was hired in 2009 as a consultant by the administration and was paid $392,000 for one year of work.
- Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, West Virginia, and Vermont all paid Gruber for his services. (Wisconsin originally paid Gruber $400,000 for the same material, requested by then-Gov. Jim Doyle (D). Gov. Scott Walker (R) later declined Gruber’s presence.)
- Democrat leaders of both the Senate and House praised Gruber publicly at the time (note: Rep. Nancy Pelosi now denies knowing Gruber… note: actions… words…).
- The notably liberal Daily Kos cited Gruber’s involvement in 2010 as a “key requirement for… legislative proposals to be put forth for Congressional consideration.” They represented Gruber having deep ties to the White House.
- Gruber visited the White House multiple times, including in the Oval Office with Obama, other experts, and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. Gruber has said they had to manipulate the CBO.
- Gruber also talked multiple times about intentionally misleading the public, even adding in one video: “Barack Obama’s not a stupid man, okay?”
- In 2006, then Sen. Obama acknowledged a professional relationship, saying he had “stolen ideas liberally” from Gruber.
- We know other mistruths were presented regarding healthcare (ie. “If you like your plan, you can keep your plan”… “if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor”).
Jonathan Gruber is a credibility problem for the administration and this law. It’s not that Gruber was the sole architect of Obamacare, but he was certainly instrumental — a fact that Pres. Obama does not seem willing to currently, oratorically admit. For the President to instead suggest that he “just heard about this” and that this is simply “some adviser,” shows that Obama is attempting to drown out the ethical piercing currently plaguing his perceived signature, legislative accomplishment.
Such tells me two more things: one, the integrity of the law and people knowingly involved are in question. And two, actions will always speak louder than words.
Respectfully…
AR