I can’t help but notice that Obama is being a bit ironic in his rhetoric surrounding the stimulus package. The NY Time Article (link) quoted Obama as stating “You didn’t send us to Washington because you were hoping for more of the same. You sent us there to change things.” He also warned that a failure to act “could turn a crisis into a catastrophe.”

Hmm, doesn’t this rhetoric seem familiar. Scare the electorate into thinking that no action will lead to a catastrophe and then make large changes to the policies and practices of the United States as fear drives ‘consensus building’ among the legislatures. He’s giving us more of the same. Here are a few examples:

On March 18, 2003 the Washington Post (link to reprint) states the following:

Bush presented grim images of the danger of terrorist strikes on U.S. soil that could kill hundreds of thousands.

“We choose to meet that threat now, where it arises, before it can appear suddenly in our skies and cities,” he said. He spoke darkly of acting “before the day of horror can come.”

On Oct0ber 17, 2007 Bush remarked on the possibility of World War III (link):

President Bush warned of dire consequences if Iran acquires nuclear weapons during a press conference on Wednesday, saying that he had told world leaders the country must be prevented from achieving nuclear capability “if you’re interested in avoiding World War III.”

—————-

It is still the same old story. Obama has yet to make a difference, he is using fear to drive decisions. This is not because he is against change, but rather because fear is the easiest method of controlling the sentiments of a population.