Obama needs to stop his Pinocchio ways, remember public is watching

As President Barack Obama campaigned in “Follywood,” he quipped at the Dreamworks site that his ears were inspiration for Shrek. What he should have added was that his nose, in the last year, was a reminder of Pinocchio!

How can anyone, regardless of their political affiliation, believe any communication from the White House? Lately, when the president stands behind his pulpit speaking to the American public, his pants start smoldering. The same happens to spokesman Jay Carney.

They have created a web of deceit at the expense of American principles. Benghazi, Libya; the Internal Revenue Service scandal; “Obamacare” — the list keeps growing. The latest Iran deal seems to be unraveling since it appears Congress is skeptical of a one-sided negotiation in Iran’s favor with the U.S. trusting a regime known to be deceitful.

Trust, but verify. The public is watching. Don’t let that nose grow any longer.

— Dick Petersen,

Health law is reason I’m covered

The Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) is my only hope for insurance.

I am self-employed and have been denied private health insurance. Avery minor “episode” 10 years ago is all the insurance companies needed to deny me insurance. Without the exchange, I could lose everything — my home, savings, retirement accounts, everything — to a serious illness or injury.

I was able to get through the health care.gov website. There were more than 40 choices for insurance, starting at $500 per month for my family. Affordable, plenty of options, and I can keep my doctor. There are 40 million stories just like mine all over the country.

— Dan Walker,

Obama excels at salesmanship

The first thing I learned when I grew up and moved into my own apartment was not to open the door to insurance salesmen, because they will promise you anything in order to sell you a policy. Now we have one in the Oval Office.

— Bill Henderson, To comment on letters, columns and editorials, go to opinions.azcentral.com.

Gay rights do not trample on religious liberty.

Many religious conservatives claim that the First Amendment gives individ-