The conservative economist argues that there is a big contrast between Obama based on his rhetoric ("Obama 1") and Obama based on his record ("Obama 2"): "For example, during the 2008 election campaign, Obama 1 spoke
of 'opening up and creating more transparency in government,' so that
government spending plans would be posted on the Internet for days
before they passed into legislation. After he was elected president,
Obama said, 'My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented
level of openness in Government.' This Obama 1 sounds like a very good fellow. No wonder so many people voted for him. But
then there is Obama 2. He passed a mammoth ObamaCare bill so fast that
even members of Congress didn't have time to read it, much less the
general public. It was by no means posted on the Internet for days
before the vote, as promised."
He continues his commentary: "The Constitution of the United
States requires transparency as well. When people are nominated by a
President to become Cabinet members, the Constitution requires that they
be confirmed by the Senate before they can take office, so that facts
about them can become known before they are given the powers of their
offices. Although President Obama complied with this requirement
when he appointed Cabinet members, he also made other appointments to
powerful positions created by Executive Orders -- people aptly called 'czars' for the vast, unchecked powers they wielded, in some cases
greater than the powers exercised by Cabinet members. These 'czars' never had to be confirmed by the Senate, and so had no public
vetting before acquiring their powers. We had unknown and unaccountable
rulers placed over us."
More: "In his oath of office, Barack Obama swore
to see that the laws are faithfully executed, as all Presidents do. But
that was Obama 1. Once in the White House, Obama 2 proceeded to
explicitly waive the enforcement of laws he didn't agree with. The immigration laws are a classic example. Failing to get Congress to
pass some version of amnesty, Obama 2 simply issued an Executive Order
exempting certain classes of illegal immigrants from the immigration
laws on the books."
Thomas Sowell Op-Ed: Obama Vs. Obama
