All blog entries represent the views and opinions of the blog author, not of Youth Politix.
One year later, after the heat of one of the most brutal campaigns in history died off, seems to be the perfect time to analyze just how many of Obama’s ear-pleasing promises actually were followed up on, and how many he has broken. PolitiFact.com’s Obamameter is probably the best indicator of these promises. According to them, out of over 500 promises made, 91 have been kept, 12 have been broken, and 256 are in the works.
When it comes to promises made, some big ones jump out across the list, such as opening up access to more capital (easier access to loans) for businesses owned by minorities, establishing a credit card bill of rights, planning an end to the war in Iraq, and the providing of affordable child care, among many other ones. Promises broken, on the other hand, while less, are still resounding. Among these we can see his promise to publicly debate the Health Care Reform was broken, as well as his tax cut for seniors making less than $50,000, and increasing the funds for after-school programs around the country.
The upcoming years of his presidency however do not show any indication of slowing down. At this rate, we can probably expect that Obama, with the support of Congress, can most likely achieve close to two thirds of the promises he vehemently pushed during his campaign. No, it might not be a perfect game, but hey, when is a politician ever perfect? Plans to include environmental standards in trade agreements, requirements for justifications for tax changes, extend Bush’s tax cuts for lower incomes, and the funding of the Violence Against Women Act, are just some of the many plans that are already in the process.
Obama’s presidency, while widely criticized by many, is not as bad as some think. Although he may not be the ideal person that everyone made him to be during the elections, he is not failing his country as a president either. With the same determination that he has pushed so far, I hope he will push for the remaining 3 years, hopefully keeping his remaining promises, and breaking as few as possible. The promises got you elected Mr. President, don’t stop fulfilling them.
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