A Cautionary Note about the New President

We're all too happy to see a change over in Washington, particularly in the White House. One must realize that sometimes our jubilation is short lived and we realize that our choice has become a mistake.

If history is any guide, it serves to show that there has never been a President, at least in the past 50 years, who really changed the Political map in America. The formula which allows them to become elected is followed by both major parties - this formula pigeonholes their ability to make policy decisions that brings about real change. Particularly in first term Presidents, the idea is to tiptoe through various issues of the day and postpone them until after the second term in order to safeguard their stay in power.

And then there are those Presidents who have laid out their platform and followed a course that's entirely different. Do not forget that in 2000, George Bush's foreign policy was one of humility and peace:



All these promises were for naught, and his principles went out of the window come September 11th. As if it was all perfectly choreographed, plans to invade the world were suddenly brought to the forefront and ramrodded through a Congress and a people who were obedient and acquiescent under the circumstances.

The same may very well apply with Obama. He may not want to leave Iraq as soon as he promised. He may entangle us in Afghanistan indefinitely as he suggested. He's certainly going to spend our tax dollars freehandedly. Therefore, to me, I may end up with the worst case scenario - a quagmired foreign policy that does not result in world peace and an out of control government which is trying to spend its way out of an economic problem. He's already disappointed many with his selections - people from the past who will likely commit to the same old ways things are done. Nevertheless, perhaps indeed we will see something different from him. Perhaps he will balance our Foreign Policy. Perhaps he will see the dangers of the skyrocketing National debt.

Come Tuesday, it's nice to see that things are changing. But I certainly hope it is for the better.