In this period, known as the “lame duck” interregnum, we are anxiously awaiting the emergence of the new administration at the start of the new year, with the inauguration of President Elect Barack Obama.
A jump in unemployment figures for the third quarter 2008, a burgeoning deficit and unsustainable spending on military endeavours abroad, expectations can justifiably be said to be high. Obama has been cautious in his rhetoric since being elected, he aims to temper his speeches with a clearer sense of limitation than when still campaigning. Recently he said words to the effect of “this country is governed by one Administration at a time”. Many have seen him as a soothsayer, others just look longingly into a vision of a future more embracing of the rest of the world. Partners, not colleagues.
It’s time the refrain – “Only in America” applied across the developed nations. It’s time troops were drawn down from both Iraq and Afghanistan – from all participant countries; it’s time that the protectionist policies of the Bush Administration were once again discarded for free trade liberalism.
It truly is an amazing story, and as a person of mixed heritage, I myself can bear testament to the fact that you simply have to be better, bolder and stronger to stand out. Barack Obama is a rhetorician the like of which world diplomacy has not seen for perhaps half a century. Let us pray that he has the belief and circumstance in all quarters of US Government to support this vision.
MERCIAR BUSINESS CONSULTING 