By Bill Oakey – May 1, 2016

Back in the 1920’s, the famous humorist, Will Rogers stated that “America has the best politicians money can buy.” Here in the 21st century, we can count on that being true. Especially since the Supreme Court ruled in the Citizens United case that a corporation is a person, and that contributions to political campaigns should be considered “free speech.” Much closer to home is Austin’s May 7th Prop 1 election. The folks who run the top ridesharing companies have already dumped an obscene and breathtaking $8.1 million into their campaign so far. That amount is OVER 6 TIMES MORE than the previous record for any Austin election in history! Somebody needs to calculate how many drivers could be fingerprinted for $8.1 million and / or how much more the companies could pay their drivers.

As pointed out previously on this blog, the Pro-Prop 1 campaign has flung a whole pack of lies at the voters from the start. (Is there no shame? How do they sleep at night?) The Big Money Machine would have you believe that voting “yes” is not only as good as apple pie and motherhood, but even better. And, in keeping with the Federal court rulings allowing unlimited campaign spending, the same court system has upheld various forms of public lying. When Congress got fed up with shysters wearing fake military medals and claiming to be war heroes, they passed the Stolen Valor Act (2005). But the Supreme Court struck it down in 2012 as a violation of free speech rights. (It’s still not a good idea to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater unless the building really is on fire. But it could very well be legal).

So, without any legal remedies against bald-faced lying, we are left with one other thing. If you are reading this on Sunday, you may have been in a building where they talked about this. Check out the ninth item:

Vote Against Prop 1 During Early Voting Or Next Saturday, May 7th. Click Here to Donate to “Our City, Our Safety, Our Choice.”

Extended Song List for This Blog Posting, “Pants On Fire – Lies, Shame and Sleepless Nights” (Beware of certain political commercials when you click on these songs)

1. “Lies,” – The Knickerbockers, 1965
2. “Liar, Liar” – The Castaways, 1965
3. “Mama Didn’t Lie” – Jan Bradley, 1962
4. “It’s the Truth Ruth” – The Big Bopper, 1959
5. “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie” – Somethin’ Smith & The Redheads, 1955
6. “Lie No Better” – Delbert McClinton, 1997
7. “Little White Lies” – Annette Hanshaw, 1930
8. “Your Nose Is Gonna Grow” – Debbie Peters, 1962
9. “Tossin’ & Turnin”” – Bobby Lewis, 1961
10. “You’re The Reason” – Gerry & The Pacemakers, 1964
11. “Another Sleepless Night” – Jimmy Clanton, 1960
12. “Wake Me, Shake Me” – The Coasters, 1960
13. “Musta Notta Gotta Lotta” – Joe Ely, 1990
14. “Don’t Sleep In The Subway” – Petula Clark, 1967
15. “Ain’t That A Shame” – Fats Domino, 1955
16. “Shame, Shame, Shame” – Jimmy Reed, 1963
17. “What A Shame” – The Rolling Stones, 1965
18. “Shame On You” – Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel, 2009
19. “Shame On Me” – Bobby Bare, 1963
20. “Lyin’ Eyes” – The Eagles, 1975
21. “Little Lies” – Fleetwood Mac, 1987
22. “Don’t Lie To Me” – The Rolling Stones, 1975
23. “All Men Are Liars” (??) Nick Lowe, 1990
24. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” – Elvis Presley, 1960, or Al Jolson version, 1950 (One spoken line is taken from “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare. The song was written in 1926, first recorded by Charles Hart, 1927)

(The song, “All Men Are Liars” should be taken with a huge grain of salt. For something closer to the truth, listen to what this woman has to say)!