Four months into his presidency, Barack Obama has spent at least $1 trillion dollars. While it is true that the stock mark has improved, I can’t help but wonder if the man I voted for is going to keep his promises. In a recent episode of South Park, Kyle leads the people of South Park out of the recession by telling them to send more money. He even goes so far as to literally become the savior of South Park by paying all of the citizens’ debts with a credit card with no limit. At the end of the episode, he says that while he saved the economy, President Obama will take all of the credit. I like to think that I am an average American. I might know a little more about the economy than others, but I am no Wall Street expert. I know that our economy would improve if people start spending; that is something the President has encouraged people to do. I also agree with him that now is the time to buy, which is true for many things such as houses, cars, and stocks. However, I do really wonder if anything is going to get done. I wonder if all of the promises that captured my vote will be kept. The feeling of hope that I felt so strongly is now starting to fade. I know that in some ways, things are getting better, but my brother in-law has been out of work since January and he is not the only one. Experts say that we are nearing the end of this financial crisis, but I don’t see it. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which was signed back in February was supposed to be the beginning of the end. This money is just now starting to be distributed across America (you might see an extra eight dollars per paycheck.) Soon Fresno City College itself will begin to see the benefits; will this be enough to prevent more job cuts, more tuition hikes and less financial aide? Obama said, “We cannot overstate the importance of this effort. We are asking the American people to trust their government with an unprecedented level of funding to address the economic emergency. In return, we must prove to them that their dollars are being invested in initiatives and strategies that make a difference in their communities and across the country. Following through on our commitments for accountability and openness will create a foundation upon which we can build as we continue to tackle the economic crisis and the many other challenges facing our nation.”(Memorandum) I don’t mind doing my share or paying my taxes. I enjoy driving on safe roads. I enjoy having police and other emergency services literally at my beck and call. I consider it my duty as a good American to pay my taxes. But I sure don’t want to pay for things that the country doesn’t really need. I also believe that raising taxes is not the best or the only way to get out of this recession. I have lost confidence in my senators and representatives who just seem to be spending government money willy-nilly. I was always taught that it is better to save than to spend, and right now, America has been doing a lot of spending. People say, “You have to spend a million to make a million.” But in this case, it seems,”You have to spend a trillion to make a trillion.” I believe that our representatives, however, well intentioned they may be, are slowly digging us into a deeper and deeper hole. I am confused as to where my president stands; he says that he doesn’t support big government, but he has increased government spending to a higher level than it has very been since World War II. The logic behind this is that any government spending is good for our economy. The theory only works if the government generates enough money and interest to pay for this debt; it works just like a giant credit card, and right now, America isn’t even making its minimum payment. The only way for us to catch up is to bring in more money, and how does the government do it? They raise taxes. I don’t see or hear anyone bringing this up and since our economy doesn’t seem to be bringing in much money, this spending is not only wasteful but will not get us very far. Soon, America will be up to its eyeballs in debt, and China will come knocking at our door wanting its money back Just like in South Park, we need a savior, someone who will take on all of America’s debt and pay it off with no added interest or catches. We are heading into a time that is unsure and shaky, but I have faith that somehow, America will be saved and will come out of this recession a better and wiser country.