Judicial Watch – 08/18/10 – Although federal law prohibits it, U.S. taxpayers have financed an unprecedented number of costly propaganda and public relations initiatives pushing Obama Administration policies.
Details of the violations are laid out in a new report (Analysis of the First Year of the Obama Administration: Public Records and Propaganda Initiatives) issued this week by a House panel that oversees all facets of government, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. It reveals that, under one-party rule, the White House used the Obama campaign machinery to tout the president’s agenda through inappropriate and sometimes unlawful public relations and propaganda initiatives. See PDF Copy – Click Here – 20100816obamaadministrationpropagandareport
In nearly a dozen cases the administration abused taxpayer resources and/or violated federal law that prohibits using public funds to promote partisan propaganda, according to the probe. For instance the administration spent millions of dollars to buy road signs touting progress under the economic stimulus law and coordinated taxpayer-funded art to promote Obama’s legislative priorities in the first few months of his presidency.
The White House also created a government-funded online form that encouraged users to lobby members of Congress to pass health care legislation and spent $700,000 to promote the president’s hostile takeover of the country’s health care system in television commercials. The administration hired an aging Hollywood actor to star in the TV ads after numerous polls revealed that most Americans oppose Obamacare.
The committee has requested that the investigative arm of Congress, the Government Accountability Office further probe the Obama Administration’s publicly funded effort to generate support since it clearly violates prohibitions on federally financed propaganda.
Other Related Articles:
The Hill – Rep. Issa: Stimulus Website is “propaganda” 8/17/10
The Core Report – Whit House directed to erect signs to promote Obama’s Recovery Act 8/16/10
