04.11.08 by Andrew Montlake

Vote Obama

Here we are on November 4th, a day that could be historic not just in the eyes of the US, but in the eyes of the world.

After all the turmoil that we have seen over the last few years, a long drawn out war that I am not sure anyone has a chance of winning and the financial chaos of recent months, there is a view that it is time for a change.

No-one is realistically saying if Barack Obama gets in everything will change for the better, we all know what politicians are like and how power can corrupt, but it does make a pretty powerful statement to the rest of the world that Americans are fed up with the current status quo, fed up with being labeled a “kick ass” loud whooping war mongering nation – and the average American is not like that at all.

Anyone who has travelled throughout the US knows that real Americans are a friendly bunch who truly believes in the American dream, for right or wrong.

If they do vote for the first black president, seeing as some states still had something like apartheid only 50 years ago, will show how far they have come.

Obama, should he succeed, and I believe it will be closer than we think, should be under no illusions of the work that needs doing. To rebuild a fractured economy, fractured infrastructure and trust, and a fractured reputation on the world stage.

The world needs a strong US in these times, but a strength that is good, understanding and leads by example.

Whether Obama can live up to all he promises remains to be seen, but he deserves his chance, in fact, the rest of the world demands it.

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