A huge part of Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign to the presidency was the promise, if he were elected to office, he would not send ground troops to Vietnam. Almost immediately after taking office and being sworn in, Johnson and his administration decided to relocate U.S. soldiers to South Vietnam which marked the just beginning in a long, dragged out ordeal. By the end of his term in March of 1986, Johnson readdressed the nation and owned up to his broken vow "With America's sons in the fields far away, with America's future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world's hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office." Johnson concluded, "Accordingly, I shall not seek...another term as your President." (L.B.J.)
It just goes to show that no matter who you are or what position of power you hold, people will say and do things that the majority wants to hear. Johnson wasn't the first nor was he the last to make promises that he couldn't keep, or that he pledged upon in their campaigns and never followed through with. It's just how messed up political battles are waged. We all know it happens and we still buy into this system that continuously lets us down. I realize that not everyone can be reached or made happy, but if you make promises and are in a position to do something about it then I believe they should keep their words and follow through on their vows.
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