Of course political statements like that are lies. Exactly like "read my lips no new taxes" .they are said for effect.

Yes they are. The problem is that Obama campaigned so aggressively in 2008 (and even in 2012) that he was not going to be "politics as usual". that he'd introduce smart government, and that it would be the most accountable administration in our lifetimes. He talked about transparency, and harshly criticized past presidents for their executive orders.

But his actions have been nearly a polar opposite.