Obama & Michelle

We elected a new president and are fortunate that it is not McCain. I cannot imagine what it would be like with John McCain as President and Sarah Palin in the second chair. I don't think we would feel the same as we do with the Obamas. I don't think the world would feel the same either! I think we would be in trouble!

Mr. Obama has been President for about two months now and has been criticised by some for trying to work too hard and start action on so many things at once. It seems to me that it was not fair for him to began his shot at history by walking into the oval office on January 20th and inheriting a 1.3 trillion dollar deficit budget, two ongoing military actions, and the worse economic collapse since the 1930s.

He was elected because he had a vision that a clear majority of the American people shared centered around change and hope for a better future. He has been spending a lot of time cleaning up the mess left by the prior administration, but has pressed on with his own agenda as well, including improvements in education, a change in tax policy supporting the middle class, a new energy policy with a goal of becoming self supporting with clean renewable energy, an investment in the crumbling infrastucture of the country,and a plan for providing healthcare for every citizen. In foreign affairs he has promised a renewal of America's leadership in the world
with an open hand and cooperation with others towards peace and prosperity. Hillary Clinton, as his Secretary of State, has been on a plane around the world in the first two months, meeting with leaders, and setting up new agendas to solve festering problems left by the prior administration. It was strange to hear Obama repeating many times that it is not American policy to torture. One of the first actions he took was to order Guantanamo Bay prison be closed within a year and prisoners be brought to justice in front of Judges. He is removing the tarnish left by the policies of the last 8 years.

This next week is his first big trip to Europe as President. Unlike Bush, who was greeted with mobs and jeers, Obama will be greeted with huge crowds and cheers. The paparazzi will follow Michelle's every move and she will be on the front page of every tabloid every day, and the President will make headlines and friends while he is there. He won't grab and surprise Angela Merkel or do anything else that is dumb! He will make an impact and restore respect for our country.

What a relief!