Change. That was the rallying cry from the Obama campaign. Of course, it was mere rhetoric. Need proof? Consider this...

The Bush administration used every crisis, particularly 9/11, to change fundamentally some aspects of the federal government and its relationship to the citizens. Some examples: the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act, warrantless wiretaps, DHS, torture of detainees, rendition.

From the Bush administration's actions, it is clear that they believed that a crisis should never be wasted, for times of crisis offer opportunities for change, usually from conditions of greater freedom and smaller government to less freedom and bigger government.

If you think the Obama administration represents "change" from this manner of operation, you're wrong.

From the New York Times, comes this quote from Rahm Emanuel, Obama's new Chief of Staff:

“Rule one: Never allow a crisis to go to waste,” Mr. Emanuel said in an interview on Sunday. “They are opportunities to do big things.”

A portent for the future? An ill-omen? Or just empty rhetoric? We'll have to wait and see, but one thing is certain:

In most things, the Obama administration represents a continuation of sorts.

The kind of change we really need, back to the Constitution, is not likely to be part of the new President's plan.

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