The new President’s inauguration speech offered a tantalising vision of what the future may bring. Here I’ve picked a few quotes out of that speech and outlined what I hope they suggest about America’s future direction.
America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
As for our common defence, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.
As we have seen already, President Obama has pledged to close Guantanamo Bay and end the torture on prisoners. This can only be described as a good thing.
Each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.
And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.
This suggests President Obama takes the threat of climate change seriously. Hopefully this should mean America will commit itself to a significant cut in carbon emissions, brought about by investment in renewable energy. This also suggests American will not ignore the poverty which blights too many of the earth’s citizens. Obama has already lifted a ban on funding for family planning clinics which offer advice on abortions. I hope this means America will play a significant role in tackling the Aids epidemic in Africa.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
This suggests President Obama wants to see an end to the tribal nature of politics and that he wants to see political parties work together to tackle the financial crisis. Whether this dream can be realised is another matter. Already there is talk of Republicans preparing to oppose some of President Obama’s policies, aimed at kick-starting the economy. While in the UK we have seen a Conservative party which first pledged to work with the Government, before promptly doing the opposite.
The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.
The Bush administration had given tax breaks for the wealthy in the mistaken belief that this money would trickle down to the less well off. It appears Obama thinks differently. These quotes suggest Obama recognises it is the hardworking individuals, such as those in America’s factories, who are the backbone of the economy. Hopefully this means Obama will introduce a fiscal stimulus similar to the one used in the UK, to kick-start the economy while benefiting the less well off.
We cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
These quotes suggest America will only go to war as a last resort. After the disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where too many soldiers and civilians have lost their lives, this change of direction should be welcomed. His words also suggest a belief that countries should work together to solve global problems. One wonders what Obama would think if the Conservatives were to take power in the UK, considering their xenophobic anti European policies.
So these are my hopes for the Obama presidency. However hope is the key word. I’m sure most of us are hoping President Obama is a vast improvement on Bush. Although it would be difficult to see how he could possibly be worse.
