Remember when Obama promised to participate in public funding, then changed his mind? Remember when Obama said he could no more throw Wright off the train than his own grandmother, and then pushed him on the tracks?

It might be important to remember some of these earlier statements as time goes on and the American public enters the Obama administration. Already, Obama is preparing his followers to reduce their expectations.

Now, less than 24 hours after his election:

Tax cut delayed?

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President Obama's First Step: Reset Expectations

If President Elect Obama were the incoming CEO of a corporation, he would now be preparing for the first act of his tenure: A massive write-off of the mountains of rotted junk buried on the company's balance sheet and an announcement that recovery will take a long, long time.

This flush would clear the way for several years of better than expected results. It would also take advantage of the new leader's one chance to blame the sorry state of the organization on his sorry predecessor.

President Obama began this process last night, in his victory speech, when he noted that restoring the country's health might take more than a term. In the next few weeks, he should go well beyond this:

The deficit will be more than $1 trillion a year for several years
The country needs a massive new fiscal stimulus
The housing market will continue to decline through at least 2010
Interest rates and taxes will eventually have to rise (after the economy stabilizes)
Weak corporations have to be allowed to fail
Millions of homeowners will lose their house
Unemployment will probably rise to 10%
The government simply cannot "bail the country out" -- not because it lacks the will, but because it lacks the power

In short, Obama needs to acknowledge reality, erring on the side of overstating the problems and challenges, and he needs to prepare the country for several tough years. Because if he doesn't, within six months of his taking office, the country will have forgotten all about the prior administration and will instead be blaming everything on him.

Obama's Campaign Promises Could Become a Burden in His Presidency, Barack Obama made a number of promises on the campaign trail that will be hard to keep as he inherits a troubled economy and two conflicts abroad.

Now Obama himself is saying:

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The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

So where was the "we may not get there in one year or in one (four year) term" when he was campaigning? His acceptance speech the very night of his election, already attempts to reduce expectations, but most likely is one of his more honest comments, and likely a reality he has known for some time but declined to state. Too bad he didn't mention we may not get there in four years when campaigning.

Well let's hope the young man can pull it off, because I doubt the American people are going to want to wait four years, or eight years, for the changes he promised. I don't think anyone who voted for Obama yesterday expected to wait for several years to get their tax cuts, credits, free medical coverage or other promises he made. If this is the case, then Obama himself will become McSame.

Where do we stand on the bet?

Rhetorical ability is so very important in politics.

Obama has it, McCain does not.

Smooth talkers win at single's bars and in politics . . . often with similar outcomes for the listener.

So bend over America. You’re about to receive your Obamanation.

I look at results not rhetoric.

The "we" that elected Obama will turn on him in a heartbeat if he does not keep his promises. And I don't think the "we the people" were planning on waiting 4-8 years for "change". They have their hands out now, and want something put in their hands now.

Here is a typical example of what many Obama supporters expect based on his rhetoric of change and promises that were made:

And the Winner Is . . . Peggy the Moocher

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Who is Peggy the Moocher? She’s Peggy Joseph, a voter in Sarasota, Fla., who exulted earlier this week at a Barack Obama rally that this was “the most memorable time of my life.” Why? As she told a Florida reporter on a YouTube video that has been viewed by hundreds of thousands: “Because I never thought this day would ever happen. I won’t have to worry about putting gas in my car. I won't have to worry about paying my mortgage. You know. If I help [Obama], he’s gonna help me.”

Peggy Joseph Video

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Unlike Joe the Plumber, Peggy sees government as her salvation and the president as her subsidizer-in-chief. She voted with the expectation that the Spreader of Wealth will reward her with payback. Joe just wants Washington to leave him alone to fend for himself.

jj, it's amusing that you are already slamming Obama on the premise that he won't keep campaign promises, and the man hasn't even taken office as yet. But you seem to have an entirely different attitude towards our current mayor. ?? Hmmm...

QUOTE from your posting on another forum. "The Mayor's platform did not provide a time line. I am not sure it is realistic to expect Dexter to change the world the first 11 months of the administration"

Peggy the Moocher has existed in every administration in history. There is always somone asking for something for nothing. It is a sad fact of life. I hardly think it is fair to characterize her with all Obama supporters.

"Here is a typical example of what many Obama supporters expect based on his rhetoric of change and promises that were made:"

Her statements are in no way what a "typical" Obama supporter expects. Those broad generalizations are what makes many of your post lack credibility.

But hey, according to a few select Catholics that post in this forum, all of Obama's supporters souls are in mortal danger anyway....

CC: I am not slamming Obama. If you check, I said let's hope the young man can pull it off.

There is a tremendous difference between what Herbert and Obama promised on their platforms.

For example, here is Herbert's platform on water:

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Initiate a feasibility study to determine:

The viability of purchasing water as a backup source, which would reduce the expense of the current proposed water processing facility.

Alternate local water sources, including drilling new wells

Regional water options

Notice his only commitment was to initiate a feasibility study, he didn't promise free medical care.

The Mayor has already met with Rural Water, the Regional Water Board, Cleo Duncan and his own water and wastewater departments. The "current proposed water processing facility" he is talking about is the NEXT phase which would include a new reservoir and SWTP. Heck, the current phase for Honda is not even complete yet. He is studying regional water options. While it depends on interpretation, I don't see where he has failed to meet the commitments he made on his platform.

Here is another difference: Mayor Herbert did mention 4 years when he was campaigning, not after he won during his victory speech:

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The next four years may be the most important in the history of Greensburg for expansion, development and leadership. City and County officials must work together to move forward and develop a long-term plan. I will strive to develop and improve relationships and communications with County Officials, which is necessary for the City of Greensburg and Decatur County to be successful in their endeavors.

I believe it is important to vote for the person most qualified to lead the City of
Greensburg for the next four years.

There are many citations I can provide than showed Herbert did not promise immediate results. In fact, there was only two commitments he made that he stated would happen immediately, and they were to exclude private clubs from the smoking ordinance and install a audio recording device. Last I checked, these two commitments had been fulfilled.

I can see a big difference.

Hairdresser: I had a new employee state they were voting for Obama because they need money. Three other people told me they voted for Obama because they needed free medical insurance. Perhaps the word "typical Obama supporter" was to strong, however it would be interesting to see the % of people that voted for Obama because of his promises of entitlements and free medical coverage versus those, apparently like you, that voted for him for larger philosophical reasons and broader issues like "economy".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jj0955,

Maybe you need better employees or to run with a better crowd. With your elitist attitude I am a bit taken aback that you would associate yourself with the likes of us "Obama Supporters".

I for one didn't support Obama specifically, but I found that I could not support the Mcain/Palin ticket. Dare I say, I couldn't support the "religious condemnation" passed out by their supporters even more.

Someone I admire used to constantly quote "No one will ever make a change until the fear of remaining the same outweighs the fear of things changing." I voted Obama for a lot of reasons, but I definitely feared things remaining the same more than a change.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: hairdresser,

Maybe I do, I'll let them know you think so. The other three that wanted free medical are not employees.

Actually at a time when many companies are still laying off, like Woodmizer last week, Delta this week, GeCom - many people are simply happy to be an "employee". Obviously our company is not at the top of the food chain, so we cannot always hire the best the the brightest in the community at Fortune 500 hourly rates, so it is very hard to find employees. That being said, we still fill a nitch and have been providing jobs since 1959.

Don't be taken aback. Remember a couple of things:

I wanted McCain's cut in corporation taxes from 35% to 25% - we are a small business and we need the help to be more competitive in the global market where offshore companies get much favorable tax rates. That was a big reason for supporting him, that was important to me, many small businesses and the overall economy.

Can you tell me how many small businesses have closed their doors in our community the past two years?

My objections to the "Freedom of Choice Act" was using my federal tax dollars to fund abortions, forcing private hospitals to perform abortions (like Catholic hospitals), and removing parental notification and consent. To be blunt, it is your choice and your decision to have an abortion, if it is a sin that is between you and God (I know how I feel, but I am not the one having the abortion), but in my singular opinion you should pay for it yourself without using my tax dollars.

I supported legislation that would protect a mother that was a victim of rape or incest, or whose physical or mental health was in danger.

While you may consider me an elitist, during this election cycle I had just as many "friends" supporting Obama as McCain. Obviously you don't know me very well. While I am a member of the Republican party, politics and religion do not influence my choice of "friends". Quite the contrary, the diversification of my circle is what makes conversation and friendship interesting. One of my best friends is a ("gasp") die hard democrat. My parents voted for Kennedy.

You have earned your reputation as an elitist not by the company you keep but by your arrogance displayed during many of your posts. You often have great resources for your information, are obviously well informed, and civic minded. What bothers me is your inability to give those opinions opposing yours any merit. Just because it isn't what jj beleives does not make it wrong. And many of your posts convey those negative insinuations. Dare someone disagree with you on nearly any subject no matter how significant, you will berate and belittle them. It has gotten so old on these forums many have just stopped participating. I think that is quite disgraceful. We are all neighbors, many of us friends, and members of a small community, is this really how we want to represent our ideas? Can't we take this chance, we are about to usher in a new administration that by it's mere existance has proven our nation has learned a thing or two about tolerance and cooperation and consider our posts in this forum with that same level of tolerance and cooperation.

I should not target this specifically at jj, he is not alone in this. Nor have I always been without fault...it has just reached a level that I am often embarassed by the content on these pages.

Point taken.

Obama Tax Hike Plans Already Hurt U.S.

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In their new book, The End of Prosperity, Art Laffer, Steve Moore and Peter Tanous argue that the threat of this tax tsunami is already destabilizing our financial markets and causing capital flight from America. They write, “Hot capital is escaping over the borders out of the United States and flowing into China, India, Europe, and even Japan.”

The American economy was in shambles when Reagan entered office in 1981. Inflation had soared by 25 percent over the prior two years, unemployment was heading toward 10 percent, the prime interest rate hit 21 percent, poverty was on a 33 percent upswing, and real family income had decreased by almost 10 percent.

Reagan cut the top income tax rate from 70 percent to 50 percent, adopted an additional 25 percent across-the-board rate cut and sliced capital gains taxes in half. The 1986 tax reform left us with just two tax rates of 15 percent and 28 percent. Reagan slashed spending growth, reduced regulatory burdens and promoted anti-inflation monetary policies.

The result, the authors explain, was actually a 25-year, non-inflationary economic boom, with only two brief, mild recessions in 1990 and 2001. They write: “We call this period, 1982-2007, the 25-year boom -- the greatest period of wealth creation in the history of the planet. … Adjusting for inflation, more wealth was created in America in the 25-year boom than in the previous 200 years.”

Spectacularly, inflation was slashed to 3.2 percent by 1983. The prime rate fell to 6.25 percent by 1992, even though opponents had argued that Reagan’s tax cuts would increase interest rates. Family income reversed its decline, poverty reversed its rise, and tax revenues actually doubled.

This is the Change We Need today.

George Soros' Liberal Agenda Will Carry Weight In Obama Presidency

Remember to watch the "pulled" SNL video, it contains Soros in a parady, which may be the real reason why it was pulled.

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No man has a larger stake in a president Barack Obama administration than ultra-liberal billionaire George Soros.

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Soros has channeled his gains into such groups as Moveon.org and the Center for American Progress, not to mention the Democratic Party and its candidates. He may rightly have claimed any Democrat victory as his own this Election Day and expect President Obama to adopt his American vision.

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"Soros is Obama's principal patron," said Richard Lawrence Poe, co-author with David Horowitz of "The Shadow Party," a critical look at the network of left-wing tax-exempt groups the investor sponsors. The groups in turn doled out money to liberal candidates such as Obama.

The book's subtitle is, "How George Soros, Hillary Clinton, and Sixties Radicals Seized Control of the Democratic Party."

"He created Obama," Poe told HUMAN EVENTS. "An Obama presidency will be a Soros presidency."

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When Mr. Soros comes to Washington next year, Democrats will be listening. If they don't, Moveon.org has some videos ready.

Here is a link to the pulled SNL video, although there is no way to know how long it will stay up this time. If you like it, you might want to save it while it is still available.

http://www.archive.org/details/PulledSnlBankBailoutSkit

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jj0955,

I voted exactly like John McCain!!!!

90% Republican

I keep thinking about that foolish woman at the Obama rally who said that with a Barack Obama presidency she "wouldn't have to worry about putting gas in her car and wouldn't have to worry about paying her mortgage."

There are so many like her – people who sincerely believe that an Obama presidency is going to be a substitute for work. Give these people about six months and they're going to be wondering what happened ... where their gravy train went ... why they're still having to work for a living ... why Obama went back on his promise to provide for them from cradle to grave.

There will be a mass uprising when these people don’t get their “redistribution of the wealth” that Obama promised. Millions of liberals expect a payback for voting for Obama.

From crack-addicted homeless bums to inner-city slum dwellers, they supported Obama, and now they expect Obama to support them. Since Obama didn’t shut-up with his so-called promises, it’s now time for Obama to put up.