Articles

Presidential Bait-and-Switch

March 04, 2009
Barack Obama won the presidency in large measure because he presented himself as a demarcation point. The old politics, he said, was based on "spin," misleading arguments, and an absence of candor. He'd "turn the page" on that style of politics.

Last week's presentation of his budget shows that hope was a mirage.

For example, Mr. Obama didn't run promising larger deficits -- but now is offering record-setting ones. He'll add $4.9 trillion before his term ends and $7.4 trillion if given a second, doubling the national debt in five years and tripling it in 10. Mr. Obama's deficits will be much larger than he admits because he relies on rosy economic assumptions and gimmicks that mask spending and debt (like assuming popular new programs he supports won't be renewed).

Nor did Mr. Obama run promising more earmarks. Instead, he said he'd reform the earmark culture and "scour the federal budget, line by line, and make meaningful cuts." Now he wants to wave through a $410 billion omnibus spending bill with about 8,500 earmarks. This is on top of the $787 billion stimulus bill signed into law two weeks ago.

FULL ARTICLE: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123621161271234665.html
Related Article

803a47b6c3ab41630f9d5d9310207f87
June 26, 2025 |
Article
Operation Midnight Hammer demonstrated the U.S. military’s awesome power and dealt Iran’s nuclear ambitions a severe setback. ...
Bb5ddd889895013f92d5c5274d246570
June 19, 2025 |
Article
Any doubts as to where President Trump stood on Iran’s acquiring nuclear weapons should have been erased at 7:19 a.m. Central Time Tuesday.   ...
496ba9a6cac5c06f8a8a224bc1062e52
June 12, 2025 |
Article
What the heck is going on? Have some of America’s leaders gone completely bonkers?    ...
705caf4d300943cb43cc2110c2eaa9fe
June 05, 2025 |
Article
Most Americans aren’t thinking about next year’s midterm election. But leaders, lawmakers and candidates in both parties are—and for good reason.   ...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance