“Change” turned out to be no more than a hollow catchphrase

       Change, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is "to be become different." Synonyms include, "alter, vary, modify."

     One would be hard pressed to forget the famous (or perhaps, infamous) campaign slogan, "Change you can believe in!"

    In fact, it could be argued that Obama's catchy slogans were one of the key factors in his 2008 victory over John McCain. However, in my view, perhaps the phrase, "Catchphrases you can believe in!" would have been more appropriate.

   With President Obama's approval rating hovering around 42%, it appears the American people have grown wise to the reality that he is just another crafty politician—not a political savior who will lead us out of the depths of our recession.

    Now that President Obama has been in office for over two years, one would expect that he would have accomplished at least a few of the various promises he made during his campaign.

    I would be dishonest to say he hasn't—because he has. Nonetheless, while he has followed through on some of his promises, the looming reality is that he has fallen through on many others.

      As a political science student, I know that a president could not possibly accomplish all of his agenda items in a two year period—that is an absurd expectation.

    In fact, there are numerous examples of military-related promises (such as the repeal of ‘Don't Ask-Don't Tell' and the withdrawal of troops from Iraq) which President Obama has come through on.

    However, with the economy in shambles, it would be appropriate to examine Obama's economic policies and his 2011 ‘Jobs Plan.'

     One of the most prominent issues President Obama brought to the forefront of his 2008 campaign was repealing the Bush tax cuts. President Obama extended the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000 for another two years.

     In fact, President Obama has actually added $3.6 trillion to the national deficit within 19 months of taking office—more than all presidents from George Washington to Ronald Reagan combined. This brings our U.S. National Debt to $14.7 trillion overall.

     As if that wasn't enough, President Obama introduced his "2011 American Jobs Acts," which will purportedly add more infrastructure jobs and incentives to companies who hired long-term unemployed citizens.

     The price tag will be over $450 billion when everything is said and done. President Obama says that "it will all be paid for," and that his jobs plan is a fresh, new look at solving our crisis.

    However, Arizona Senator John Kyl said "He merely dusted off a tired agenda of old ideas wrapped in freshly partisan rhetoric."

       The results of the 2010 mid-term elections were a profound statement of intent from the American voters. The Democratic Party and President Obama appear to have lost the independent and moderate voters who ensured their victory in 2008.

     Perhaps this is because President Obama's hollow political rhetoric has caused him to become a polarizing figure, as opposed to his image of a consensus builder. I suppose we will know the answer come November 2012.

Jeffrey is a junior majoring in political science. He is a brother of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and believes that "all are lunatics, but he who can analyze his delusions is called a philosopher."