My grandfather delighted in telling me stories about when he was young in the late 1800’s. I never discovered if they were all 100 percent true, but I didn’t care. I will always treasure those times with a wonderful man who instilled in me a sense of morality and a belief in respect for all others rights. However, I wouldn’t use any story, any event at which I had not been present to impress my constituents. Ted Cruz is an opportunist, and says anything which might get him votes.

Rafael Cruz is Ted Cruz’ father. He is a Christian pastor who was born in Cuba. He was a teenager in the mid 1950’s when Fidel Castro led the rebellion against the Cuban dictator, Fulgencio Batista.

The senior Cruz told his son stories relating to his participation in the revolt. The younger Cruz has retold these stories to his supporters, and included some of them in his book “A Time for Truth,” which was released in June. But there’s a slight problem; interviews with those who knew Rafael Cruz in Cuba discount his retelling of the events. Cruz’ book should be re-titled “A Time for Fables.”

His most celebrated claim is that he was in the presence of one of the most revered leaders of the revolution just before he was killed.

“I knew Frank País personally and I saw him 12 hours before he was killed,” Mr. Cruz has said in speeches.

Augustin Pais, Frank’s brother who now resides in Miami, said that he had no recollection of Rafael Cruz. The truth is that he did not die at the place and time recounted by Mr. Cruz. Other accounts of his participation in the revolution have also been discounted by those who were participants. All of them said that Cruz’ participated in rallies and protests, but that was the summation of his efforts.

Old people forget and often exaggerate, and that is totally acceptable and even expected. The fault here is with his son. He has broken the cardinal rule of the man he worships, Ronald Reagan, when he said: “Trust but verify.”

He should not be using these accounts in his campaign speeches or his book without being 100 percent certain that they were facts, not fantasy. By using unsubstantiated stories in his book he lowers himself to the level of Bill O’Reilly who is well-known for fabrication and ‘tall tales.’

The truth be told, Ted Cruz is an accomplished prevaricator. He constantly tells blatant lies to distract voters from the truth. His continued attacks on the Affordable Care Act, Planned Parenthood, and President Obama are in direct opposition to the belief and concerns of the majority of the American people.

In addition, he has learned from his fellow TEA Party darling, Rand Paul, to pander effectively. Recently he told an evangelical group in Iowa that only a Christian should reside in the White House. Cruz denies the first amendment and would institute Christianity as the national religion if he had the power. He would forbid the practice of other faiths as guaranteed by the first amendment.

Cruz does not believe in America; he believes in wealth and power. He would represent less than one-half of all Americans if he became our nation’s president.

TEA party members, Cruz, Paul, and Rubio must not be allowed to lead our nation. Their ambitious nature and lack of experience would be disastrous at this critical time in our country’s history.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2