by John Kennedy

Yes I've kept quiet on the American election because even though the result effects us here in the UK this was a internal matter for the good people of America to decide and you have chosen a great individual who has a mountain to climb just to get the economy at home on a even keel.
 
Change was the buzzword throughout the campaign and change for the long term good is what people should expect. However you should be under no illusion that with two wars on foreign soil, a failing economy on the home front tough decisions will need to be made and implemented. On the economic front the stimulus package agreed by the President Bush should be continued with tax concessions to business and individuals made to kick start the world's largest economy. I have to say I think the idea of tax breaks for businesses that employ Americans at home is a very simple way to keep unemployment levels low and stop the outsourcing of working to foreign shores. The closing down of tax loopholes is a good idea but only if the rest of the world follows for business will always find a way around rules that impose larger tax bills upon them.
 
Like the UK America can't wait to bring home it's armed services from Iraq, President elect Obama was and is right to ask the Iraqi Government to step up to the plate and accept the challenge ahead, that challenge is to govern your own country. I believe the Iraqis can do this with a little help from the outside world, maybe the time is right for the United Nations to get involved at ground level again. The UK and America should play a minor role in assisting Iraq in it's future, Saddam is gone and it is now time for the people of Iraq to build a better future for all within their borders.
 
Afghanistan is a more difficult country to deal with and any troop surge must involve a great proportion of fellow NATO countries, for too long America, UK and Canada have taken the brunt of casualties by putting their forces in harms way. President elect Obama will need to wake up those fellow members of NATO who wish to be protected by the bigger powers but fail to offer any help because of opposition on the domestic front or fear of public opinion of deaths of members of their armed services. NATO isn't working and this must be a priority for the new President.
 
Now with all the hype in the media about about the fact that the new American President is black I would like to point out he is in fact mixed raced and let's be totally honest he never played any card throughout his campaign based on race or colour, he just spelt out the need for change. So on that note it must be time for me to wish you all in America the best of luck in these trying of economic times, but I must wish you President elect Obama the best of luck in the White house, you glued me to a TV set and that is a rare thing but you also gave many people hope throughout the free world.
 
Congratulations and God Bless America.