Now that we’ve made history by electing our first African-American president, what has changed? On first blush, not much, especially when it comes to our schools. Indeed, as the spiraling United States economy takes precedence, education is moving to the back burner, though sadly it was never really on the front burner during the campaign. Meanwhile Washington high society is swooning as chatty lifestyle stories document the courtship of Barack Obama’s daughters by a bevy of exclusive private schools. Am I the only one who is outraged here?
Again, I feel compelled to point out, one last time: Sarah Palin was taken tirelessly to the mat for every detail of her personal life — her mothering skills, hunting proclivities, reading habits (such as they were), the wacky names of her children, her pricey outfits and even the height of her heels. By contrast, the Obama family’s move from toney Chicago private school (chosen before presidential security was an issue) to toney Washington private school draws little national commentary. Why? Because for the ruling American political and professional class, not to mention the news media, sending one’s child to public school is unthinkable; and has nothing to do with public education policy. (Love that Teach for America, though! And universal preschool — it’s great! Computers! Innovation! Stimulation! Richard Branson! Aspen Technology Conference! Blah, blah blah.) ...
Our activism has evolved from blogs to street rallies to benefits and political action. Our first mom, Angel Zobel-Rodriguez, is running for school board. She has amassed no war chest, she has only us volunteers to help: the official position she put down on her application is “parent.”
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.c...parents-unite/

Are people feeling desperate to see the changes?
or are they realizing that it doesn't matter GOP or democrats, if people want the change, they need to bring it on their own, instead of looking for some president?

At the end, the article says,

Our activism has evolved from blogs to street rallies to benefits and political action. Our first mom, Angel Zobel-Rodriguez, is running for school board. She has amassed no war chest, she has only us volunteers to help: the official position she put down on her application is “parent.”

It’s just a start, but we have time (my youngest is in first grade). And like the Democrats now in charge, we have the Internet. As parents long disenfranchised from the national public education discussion, we’re starting to realize true change is up to us.


Seems she is sincerely desperate and frustrated too. She can't wait till 20th of January you know!

Furthermore, what changes will Obama bring in the promises he was reiterating during his campaigns?

The national debt is going to be too much for USA. It was already above 10 trillion in October, and with all these $700 billion bailout plans, The National Debt is going to increase further. Also, financial sector is demanding more.

The US financial system still needs at least $1 trillion to $1.2 trillion of tangible common equity to restore confidence and improve liquidity
in the credit markets, Friedman Billings Ramsey analyst Paul Miller said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International_Business/Financials_need_at_least_1_trillion_Analyst/articleshow/3736315.cms

It is quite sure that the $700 billion support will be increased somehow. And may be this is also a reason that lawmakers are not interested in helping GM through the bailout money package!
Anyways, during all these proceedings, I see weak chances of Obama reducing taxes on middle class, and increasing taxes on people earning more than $250k, because I think the number of such people is going to reduce significantly.
So I guess Obama may try to reduce his limit from $250k to $120k, he will increase taxes to that group and will try to help the people below that limit (as previously was pointed out by some media persons and Biden). Afteral, Obama need to look after the help package for the unemployed too.
And what will happen to the plans of universal health care during all this?