Promises, Promises
The President of the United States is often referred to as the most powerful person in the world. Few would argue with that statement. But if the president is the most powerful person in the world, does that mean that he always gets his way? If history is any indicator, the answer to that question is no.
On the campaign trail, presidential candidates make all sorts of promises. For instance, Franklin Roosevelt promised to keep the U.S. out of World War II; Lyndon Johnson promised to win the war on poverty; George W. Bush promised that the military would not be used for nation building; and who can forget George Bush Sr. uttering those famous words, "Read my lips, no new taxes?" Once the campaigning was over and they found themselves occupying the Oval Office, all of these aforementioned presidents found that making campaign promises was a lot easier than actually keeping them.
Why does this happen? In most cases, circumstances beyond even their formidable reach force many a president to go back on his word; wars intensify, economies fluctuate, and elections sometimes shifts power from the party the president is used to dealing with to one more hostile to his policies.
So what is the likelihood that once in office, the winner of this year's presidential race will be able to deliver on his most ambitious campaign promises?
Mr. McCain has promised that if he is elected, one of his first priorities is to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Mr. Obama has made universal healthcare in the U.S. a central part of his bid for the White House. According to a recent USA Today article, either of these initiatives would cost tax payers anywhere from $65 to $100 billion dollars a year.
Such lofty goals would be difficult to accomplish even in good economic times. With the deepening worldwide recession, the U.S. economy is sure to occupy most, if not all, of the next president's time and energy. Not only that, but it is sure to siphon away the funds necessary to make either of the candidates' promises a reality.
Like many of those who came before him, the next president (along with his many disappointed supporters) may learn very early on that the old saying that promises were made to be broken doesn't just apply to everyman, but to the most powerful man in the world as well.
On the campaign trail, presidential candidates make all sorts of promises. For instance, Franklin Roosevelt promised to keep the U.S. out of World War II; Lyndon Johnson promised to win the war on poverty; George W. Bush promised that the military would not be used for nation building; and who can forget George Bush Sr. uttering those famous words, "Read my lips, no new taxes?" Once the campaigning was over and they found themselves occupying the Oval Office, all of these aforementioned presidents found that making campaign promises was a lot easier than actually keeping them.
Why does this happen? In most cases, circumstances beyond even their formidable reach force many a president to go back on his word; wars intensify, economies fluctuate, and elections sometimes shifts power from the party the president is used to dealing with to one more hostile to his policies.
So what is the likelihood that once in office, the winner of this year's presidential race will be able to deliver on his most ambitious campaign promises?
Mr. McCain has promised that if he is elected, one of his first priorities is to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Mr. Obama has made universal healthcare in the U.S. a central part of his bid for the White House. According to a recent USA Today article, either of these initiatives would cost tax payers anywhere from $65 to $100 billion dollars a year.
Such lofty goals would be difficult to accomplish even in good economic times. With the deepening worldwide recession, the U.S. economy is sure to occupy most, if not all, of the next president's time and energy. Not only that, but it is sure to siphon away the funds necessary to make either of the candidates' promises a reality.
Like many of those who came before him, the next president (along with his many disappointed supporters) may learn very early on that the old saying that promises were made to be broken doesn't just apply to everyman, but to the most powerful man in the world as well.
Labels: campaign promise, campaign promises, presidential promises
posted by Darrell Washington at
7:50 PM
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