Standard goody-bag politics

The Obama Delusion: The gap between his rhetoric and the reality of his views


Obama's economic plan:

1. Provide a $1,000 tax cut for most two-earner families ($500 for singles).
   
2. Create a $4,000 refundable tuition tax credit for every year of college.
   
3. Expand the child-care tax credit for people earning less than $50,000 and "double spending on quality after-school programs."
   
4. Enact an "energy plan" that would invest $150 billion in 10 years to create a "green energy sector."
   

More:

A favorite Obama line is that he will tell "the American people not just what they want to hear but what we need to know." Well, he hasn't so far. Consider the retiring baby boomers. A truth-telling Obama might say: "Spending for retirees—mainly Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid—is already nearly half the federal budget. Unless we curb these rising costs, we will crush our children with higher taxes. Reflecting longer life expectancies, we should gradually raise the eligibility ages for these programs and trim benefits for wealthier retirees. Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame for inaction. Waiting longer will only worsen the problem."

Instead, Obama pledges not to raise the retirement age and to "protect Social Security benefits for current and future beneficiaries." This isn't "change"; it's sanctification of the status quo.


Comment: Surprised to see this in Newsweek!