Promises, promises. I’ve heard them all. But just a small fraction of those proclaimed by presidential candidates ever come to pass.
Since U.S. politicians have a long history of unfulfilled promises, why should I start believing them when they pledge to fix the economy, end the war, provide affordable healthcare and correct all of the ills that ail us?
John McCain announced that he wants to give us a “gas-tax holiday” this summer. Bob Dole tried the same campaign tactic when he was running in 1996. Did I ever see even a penny of savings back then? No. And I doubt that legislation to enact a similar plan would ever pass today.
Supposedly, eliminating the 18-cents-per-gallon would save the average driver a few dollars each week for three months. Whoop-dee-doo! Should I get that windfall, what would that money buy? Not much. Maybe a chicken dinner. It would make me feel better, though.
Long ago, a politician promised Americans a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage (backyard). What did he deliver? The Great Depression.
So far, I can still afford the chicken dinner, even without the tax break. As long as my 9-year-old car keeps chugging along, I’m good in the transportation department. But hanging on to the garage? That’s a tough one for millions of us with high mortgage payments and low house values.