April 28, 2009 1:45PM 

# First 100 Days: More of the Same 

By [Tad DeHaven](https://www.cato.org/people/tad-dehaven) 

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President Obama campaigned on a promise of change. But the first 100 days of his administration have seen a continuation of the Bush administration’s irresponsible fiscal policies: more bailouts, higher spending, and mounting debt.

The president has already signed a tax hike that disproportionately hurts lower-income people, and is seeking additional tax increases to fund a transition to a more centrally-planned, European-styled economy.

Just as previous administrations have done, the president is using the current economic ‘crisis’ to justify further government encroachment upon the private sector. In doing so, dangerous precedents are being set that could have negative repercussions for future economic growth and individual liberty.

##### Related Tags 

[Tax and Budget Policy](https://www.cato.org/tax-budget-policy) 

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