Are Affairs and “Skeletons in the Closet” Responsible for Obamacare? Um…

It’s not easy for politicians to be honest, especially when they’re hiding something.

Apparently, there’s a lot to cover up — from Bill Clinton’s cigar to Mark Sanford’s “Appalachian Trail” to Larry Craig’s “wide stance” to Barney Frank’s male prostitute to Eliot Spitzer’s prostitution ring to John Edwards’s videographer, to Anthony Weiner’s… um… inadvertent Tweet.

Could moral failings like these be responsible, at least in part, for the lack of a legal challenge from the legislative branch?

Ben Carson thinks so.  Here’s his reasoning.  If the so-called Affordable Care Act were a civilian contract, someone would be sued.  That’s what happens if one party is found to have knowingly made false promises to close the deal.  By the same terms, Obamacare qualifies as a “massive case of fraud… a bill that never would have been passed if it had been revealed that millions of people would lose the health insurance with which they were satisfied and that they might not be able to keep their doctors” as promised.

Why, then, hasn’t the legislative branch legally challenged it?  Could it be that some lack the courage to speak out freely because they’re afraid of political repercussions or revelation of a past mistake?  Carlson believes blackmail might be playing into this:

“Chicago-style politics” … is nothing more than a euphemism for political corruption, including bullying, blackmail, and bribery.  …In an age when Big Brother is capable of watching everything we do, it is not hard to imagine a scenario in which large numbers of public servants are silenced or subdued by secretive threats.

In other words, it’s conceivable that some politicians might have done things that they’re afraid of seeing the light of day. After all, the list of politicians who have been publically shamed because of their private behavior is long indeed.

The American people have been speaking out against Obamacare.  It’s hard to go to the pharmacy without people talking about their lack of coverage.  Sadly, the people we’ve elected haven’t done anything to stop this abuse of power, rendering our Constitution’s checks and balances useless.  Our unique government structure is supposed to keep one branch from “acquir[ing] too much power and run[ning] roughshod over the other branches and the will of the American people. Unfortunately,” Carson writes, “today we are witnessing a largely unchecked executive branch issuing decrees that circumvent Congress while facing only tepid resistance.”

So what do we do?

Carson recommends a solution so simple that it may seem ludicrous.  What if everyone just admitted to the skeletons in their closet?

If it were all done in a short time span, the media would be overwhelmed, and the people would quickly understand the extent of the disgusting and dishonest practices infesting the highest levels of government.

There’s his solution: just be honest.  It would definitely be ugly, but once the truth is known, the country can deal with it, hold people accountable, then get to the business of fixing what’s gone wrong without the hindrances of secrecy and fear.

“With so much at stake regarding our country’s future, I think now would be an excellent time to come clean,” Carson says.  “I think the American people are just as forgiving today if people are willing to be honest.”

Carson has a lot of faith in the American people.  So do I.  However, I think Carson is wrong and here’s why.  My faith doesn’t extend to our D.C. politicians. A one-time confession of all our politicians’ sins might do wonders for their souls, but it would not fix what’s broken.

I agree that “moral failings” contribute to our leaders’ sad unwillingness to fight Obamacare. But it’s less a “scandalous” type of moral failing than just a simple lack of courage and fortitude.   Whether politicians have been faithful to their spouses is secondary to whether they’re being faithful to their constituents.  That’s a far easier matter to settle. By refusing to confront this staggering government overreach, our political leaders are betraying us and leading our nation into further disarray.

Thankfully, political terms are not “ ’til death do us part.”

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