by Sammy Stein

Created on: November 06, 2008

Ok, so Obama won! Get over it . In the UK we have followed the US's election trail since last year. First the primaries, then the bickering between Clinton (Hillary) and Obama. Then the John McCain jokes (Oven Chips, age etc). Then the appearance of the robotic mannequin Sarah Palin (who?!)

Fair enough the US is a major player in the world and is our ally but enough is enough stop it, stop it please! Now comes all the celebrations about Obama winning- the first black man and yada yada but please do not make the race issue the main thing.

Obama is half black, half white, which means he carries the hopes of both whites and non-whites in the US. He won his candidacy and the election because he is a good politician who we hope will be a great president and make some much needed changes in the US.

For a long time, we have been with shouting against deaf ears, the friendly, bumbling yet affable GW Bush simply did what he wanted he stayed too long on his election ticket and became too self-important with the full backing of politicians!

Now comes someone with youth, vigour and who is a superb orator. Race plays a part and it is wonderful to see the likes of Jesse Jackson see their hopes take human form in the shape of this worldly man standing between bullet proofed glass to make his acceptance speech. History has been made but it is also a statement by the American people of their feelings.

However, whatever race, creed, religion, age or type of politician Barack Obama is going to make, he will still be limited by others and the slow wheel and cogs of the American congress and parliament system so we should not expect sweeping, dramatic changes immediately.

Rather, doors will slowly creak open Obama is not going to kick them open, it will be a case of pressing them ajar, letting change in slowly and then taking it by the hand before embracing it. Change, though welcome by many on foreign policy, Iraq, Afghanistan, green issues, unemployment, the treatment of war vets, homelessness and jobs, is seen as a threat to many in the country and don't forget 48 percent of people did not vote for Obama. Change is unwelcome by many and although Obama promised to be the president for those who did not vote for him as well as those that did, there will always be those for whom the change is simply too much to take at once.

America is truly a great country. Her people are diverse, vibrant, friendly and a wonderful mix of all the World has to offer. The richness of American life has been shaped and formed by the myriads of peoples who have come to live there but to make change for the good will mean gaining slow acceptance, educating the die hards and making America all she can be- for all her peoples!

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