There is more than a likeness to the election of John F Kennedy in 1960. He was the outsider, the charismatic young man who had the right things to say and was seen as hope for the future. Yet still there was a load of concerns about Socialism and Social Security and a National Health.
As it turned out, Kennedy was the man who faced down Nikita Kruschov and prevented him moving nuclear missiles to Cuba; Kennedy was the man who asked "not what this Nation can do for you, ask what you can do for this Nation"; Kennedy was the man who posed the challenge of "putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade..." He made peace, not war, he set challenges not taxes, and his premature passing was greeted with dismay the World over.
Obama has the same chance Kennedy had - a World in turmoil, a nation (USA) that has lost its way, a recession where big business has shot its bolt and can't lobby with any conviction, and a people who want to be lead. We can but hope that he sets a standard taht our tired politicians can't match, and we get some people who can lead, not tax.
The last 25-odd years have been an aberration in history, not a change. The next 25 years will be different, yet the same. We live in interesting times...
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