Correct Me if I am Wrong, But.......

@mehale (2200)
United States
November 9, 2008 6:56pm CST
During the primary and campaign season I seem to remember Obama stating many times that he would cut taxes for everyone making less than $250,000 a year. However, I was just reading an article on NYT that changes that amount to $200,000 a year. Now I am beginning to get really confused. I understand that candidates almost always say one thing in their campaign and then do another once elected, buy come on. Here is a quote from the article: “As president, here’s what I’ll do: cut taxes for every working family making less than $200,000 a year.” That is a quote from the article as well as a direct quote that Obama made in his paid television address on October 29th. The article goes on to say that he will extend the Bush tax cuts for people making less than $250,000 a year, but considers this a continuation of current policies not an actual tax cut. Now then, he did many times in his campaign say that he would cut taxes for everyone making less than $250,000 a year. This to me does not mean the same things as what he was quoted as saying in NYT (New York Times). To me, that says he has already changed his stance on taxes, and we can probably look for more flip flopping throughout his term. This also concerns me because he ran a campaign based on CHANGE. Now how is continuing existing Bush policies change? Or am I the only one that does not understand and is bothered by this?
5 people like this
15 responses
• United States
10 Nov 08
Nope, you are not the only person bothered by this by a long shot. It is just that many others already knew he was deceitful and we are not surprised, just bothered that 0bama was able to fool so many. All you can do now is keep politically aware and try to influence your elected representative to stand up to 0bama and his bad ideas. Vote republican in 2012 and the off year elections in 2010.
3 people like this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I agree with you, but the really sad part is I voted Republican THIS time, it just didn't do enough good! LOL
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I am personally not expecting to see any kind of tax cut. The money to pay for the things Obama wants to do has to come from somewhere, and I don't see that we're going to be able to cut our military involvement overseas anytime in the near future, so that expense will continue. The tax cut figure is just another issue in which the standards are being lowered - another one of Obama's promises that he's backing down on.
2 people like this
• United States
10 Nov 08
You're right. I saw one economist on TV who said that with Obama's proposals, every family making over $50,000 will have to see tax increases. Or Obama will have to scrap a bunch of his programs.
2 people like this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Yes, I must admit that I have been wondering how he plans to pay for his programs. I really don't see it happening with the national debt the way it is and the economy on a serious downturn.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Using his own tax calculator, if you entered a family of 4 making $50,000 and with childcare expenses, it said that you'd get $1,000 under Obama and something like $950 under McCain - if you entered a couple of 2 with no children making $50,000 - you got $1,000 under Obama and nothing under McCain. I found it unusual that a family of 4 would get the same as a couple of 2, but evidently it automatically allowed $500 per adult (assuming that both adults work) no matter what.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
10 Nov 08
Well I guess its too early to misquote or quote him. He has not seated in his office yet and many are already trying to catch him by his promises. We could never know if that promised would be done or not when he finally site on his office next year but as of now all are promises that cannot yet be seen if it will be realized or not. I guess its only a matter of days before we can finally say he is a liar or not but for now all news and everything are all speculations and just plain rumors be patient and we will all know.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Yes, I find it very strange that everything under agenda seems to have been removed. It will be interesting to see what replaces the original contents.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
10 Nov 08
It was all laid out on his website www.change.gov under Agenda. Curious enough it was all still there two days ago. All the detail on the policies he planned to implement for us, everything in detail from tax to homeland security, to education, to the economy... It's all gone now. Probably reworking it all, lol. The numbers had eventually changed from $250k down to $200k. Above that people have to pay more. From $100 to $200 it'll remain the same. Below it'll be less. Well that can all change now... As to that we cannot yet see if he'll make good on his promises... just look at his statements in regard to the economy and how it won't allow for much, look at his staff selections and his announcements. One can deduct a lot from that. I rather be vigilant now than surprised later.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
10 Nov 08
It's true. He officially stated $200,000 during his infomercial. His website had actually said that individuals earning over $200,000 would get a tax hike for a long time, but this is the first time he said it about families earning more than $200,000. Biden also said $150,000 at one point and neither he nor Obama ever explained why.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Yes, it is probably closer to the truth. Unfortunately. I really wish that we could actually have a candidate that would honor their promises.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Maybe that's why it's taken off the change website. The whole Agenda is gone, just a general message there now. My guess is $150k is closer to the truth if he wants to finance all the programs he has promised us.
1 person likes this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Let me start off by saying that I am not trying to defend Obama, nor do I believe that he will keep his campaign promises- none of them do. However, what I remember him saying during his campaign is that no one making less than $250,000 will see an increase, and that those making less than $200,000 will get tax cuts. There may have been times when he said something different, but that is what I heard him say several times. And on the issue of change- well, not ALL of Bush's policies are bad. So if there is something good in there, why should Obama change that just to make a point? Though I am bothered by this, it is unfortunately the way government works. Candidates make promises in order to win your vote, then do whatever they want once in office.
1 person likes this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
10 Nov 08
It was all laid out on his website www.change.gov under Agenda. Curious enough it was all still there two days ago. All the detail on the policies he planned to implement for us, everything in detail from tax to homeland security, to education, to the economy... It's all gone now. Probably reworking it all, lol. The numbers had eventually changed from $250k down to $200k. Above that people have to pay more. From $100 to $200 it'll remain the same. Below it'll be less. Well that can all change now...
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
13 Nov 08
I just don't like to see a President Elect ALREADY beginning to change his stance on issues that will in fact be very important to all Americans so early in the game. I am also concerned that his website that has already been mentioned in this post has suddenly changed and all the important stuff is gone from it. I guess I just have a real problem trusting ANY politician. LOL!
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
10 Nov 08
And don't forget that in the week before the election, Biden said that the tax increase might have to be for families making $150,000. Change? Not so evident when he's using Clinton people and lobbyists for his transition.
2 people like this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Yes, I lost my faith in him long before the elections so really I was expecting something like this. Hopefully we are wrong and things will begin to look up.
@angela38 (122)
• United States
10 Nov 08
If you ask me I had a feeling if he won president he would never keep Any of the promises he made to the american public. I think he is a lier and a fraud.
1 person likes this
@trixyteddy (1070)
• India
10 Nov 08
I don't want to offend any of you, but I am surprised. Obama has not yet taken over office, and already he is being criticized. Every politician has plus and minus, so please give him a chance. He does have a big responsibility on his head. Support him, may be everything will fall in place.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I am willing to give him a chance, but these things do make me wonder. After all every election the candidates make promises and then make little or no effort to keep them. I really hope that things do begin to improve and look up once he is in office, but I also admit that i do have serious doubts....but then I would be having serious doubts if McCain had won also.
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Correct me if I am wrong but...Barack Obama is still the President Elect and he cannot make a single executive decision until after Jan. 20th. The fact that two news articles have quoted two different things doesn't make either of them gospel truth and we don't even know yet what Obama will do.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
True, but he is already laying out his agenda for immediate action once he is in charge. And it is still worrisome that he is back peddling already.
@MntlWard (878)
• United States
10 Nov 08
He said he'd cut taxes for 95% of people making under $250K a year. That would likely mean a tax cut for everyone making less than $200K and would certainly mean a tax cut for everyone making less than $100K.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I guess that is a good way to look at it. Though I really wish he would stick to the original tax plan he outlined.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
10 Nov 08
mehale may I ask you a question. Has President Elect Obama sworn in as yet. I didn't know that January 20, 2009 has arrived since he has been elected as President. Why don't you guys just wait until he is sworn in before jumping to all conclusion. I believe that the President Elect has to choose his cabinet and then then have a meeting and do his budget. I never know that an outgoing president is still in power and citizen is complaining before the elective president is given power.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
While I agree that he has not been sworn in yet, I also have to say that it does worry me when they say one thing during the campaign, and then begin saying something different after. Maybe that comes from so many times seeing the candidates say one thing and then do the exact opposite that I worry and just don't trust easily any more. I find it very hard to trust any politician, not just Obama. Maybe he will finally begin to change the way politics works in our nation, maybe not, but either way heaven knows it needs changing. Until then, though I will continue to worry. By the way, I was not trying to offend either....just worrying.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
10 Nov 08
He backtracked on that just before the election. Due to the bad economy, unfortunately, he cannot provide as promised. So as of now it's higher taxes for all above $200k, no change for those between $100 to $200k, lower taxes for those below $100k. That's combined household income. Seems he also now using the economy as an excuse to say that he won't be able to implement all of his programs as quickly as he would like, maybe not even all of them. It'll take at least two years... but it's his highest priority to get them done right away... and he will be making liberal use of executive orders... Well, you can draw your own conclusion from that. McCain has said that Obama can't finance his programs, it's not possible, not the way he promised anyway. But who would listen, who would believe him.... not much will change, not the way people want it to happen anyway...
1 person likes this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Yeah, he has been backtracking a lot but people just decided not to hear it. If he already starts campaigning for the next term... he barely did anything in the Senate for the last two years plus because he was constantly on the campaign trail... who'll make the decisions for him in the White House when he is off campaigning already, lol.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Yes, unfortunately it would seem that he is backtracking on a lot of things. On the other hand, maybe it is for the best as it will be very difficult for him to do much good in just four years. The economy is in the dumpster, the war is still going on, there are troubles with Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. So maybe by trying to keep expectations low he is doing his fan club a favor! On the other hand, it would be nice to actually have a President elected that does what they promised during the campaign season, though I have serious doubts that will ever happen.
@celestos (814)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I think it is just what we are going to see from Obama,I expected him to be fickle but I am not sure I expected it so fast.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Yes, I thought we would get further into his first term before we saw major back peddling. Sad....
• United States
10 Nov 08
He's full of it. Every president since the dawn of time has promised no new taxes or tax cuts for the lower or middle class, while raising taxes on the upper class. The 5% of the population that fits into that category controls 95% of what goes on in Washington. Don't expect anything remotely close to that to happen. What the rich want, the rich get.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
It is sad, but that has been the way of things for a very long time. Maybe things will change, but probably not.
@blazivic (100)
• Lebanon
10 Nov 08
well i think its still to early to judge..the man didnt even begin his reign..i suggest wait for later and observe his actions..In addition what if he's planning to achieve the project "cutting taxes for those making less than 250k a year" by steps.. like begining by cutting for those under 200k and then 250k..overall its still too early to judge.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I definitely intend to keep up with what he does and does not do.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
29 Nov 08
I think that Obama cannot be judged after a few days of being elected in office. He needs more time before one can make a sound judgement on his administration. © ronaldinu 2008
1 person likes this