[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TIME FOR AN HONESTY CHECK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. 
Smith] is recognized during morning business for 3 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, late last week President Clinton 
attacked radio talk show hosts for being too critical of his 
administration. This is strange behavior for someone who can generate 
news at will, who consistently receives favorable treatment by the big 
three network news programs, and who is supported by the largest daily 
newspapers in the country.
  Maybe President Clinton wants a monopoly on media coverage just like 
he wants Government to have a monopoly on health care.
  In his effort to stifle criticism, what Mr. Clinton may be 
overlooking is that the trust of the American people and the respect of 
political opponents must be earned.
  Most Americans would agree that to earn their trust a President 
should possess a sense of honesty, a basic ability to tell the truth. 
Most Americans and even the media would forgive occasional lapses. To 
many citizens, though, the lapses of this President have become part of 
a pattern of behavior that began years ago and continues today.
  A few recent examples might explain why the media have not been 
unanimous in extolling President Clinton:
  He pledged a tax cut during the presidential campaign. Instead, he 
delivered the largest tax hike in history.
  He vowed to ``shut down'' the special interest money machine. 
Instead, he has helped raise $40 million to keep the old machine 
running smoothly.
  He promised to ``end welfare as we know it'' in 40 percent of his 
campaign speeches. What he has proposed will cost $10 billion more over 
5 years than the current welfare system.
  Now he says to let the Government take over the health care system, 
and costs will go down.
  Perhaps we should insist on an honesty check. And that's the point. 
Given Mr. Clinton's record, far from being concerned about radio talk 
show criticism, he should be grateful that the criticism is not louder 
and more widespread. It could still become so.
  The President should realize that the problem results not from having 
the light turned on, but from the conduct that is exposed.
  Americans want a President who is honest and a Government that is 
trustworthy. If this administration makes a sincere effort to live up 
to the high ideals held by the American people, then it will not have 
to worry about talk show commentary.

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