Urge Obama to Realize the New American Dream

2009 is coming to an end. This year has been tough and full of disasters, but it has also given us hope and opportunity. Of all the influential men, Obama has become the principal focus, and the American dream he is establishing is now influencing the era.

Obama became the 44th U.S. president on 20 January, 2009, the most powerful leader in the world; he won the Nobel Peace Prize after being in power for just nine months, which became a controversial topic. When Obama, an African-American, came to power, he was “destined” to be immortal. “Only very rarely has a person, to the same extent as Obama, captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future.” Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," improving peace in the Middle East and forbidding nuclear weapons.

America is a big melting pot of different races and it’s also a place where dreams can come true. Obama, Doctor of Juridical Science, miraculously changed from commoner into president; he could be regarded as one of the most persuasive and charismatic political leaders. The famous quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country,” from President John F. Kennedy has been popular for so long. Obama’s classic slogans, “Yes, we can” and “Change,” impressed us a lot as well, which not only helped him step into the White House smoothly, but also became the power for his administration.

Since Obama was elected, he has been facing the financial crisis, economic depression and national decline, but he has been determined to defend peace and has won respect from all over the world. Recently, Obama visited several Asian countries, including Japan, Singapore, China and Korea, which signals that the U.S. foreign policy focus will shift from Europe to Asia. This will improve relations with Asian-Pacific countries, as well as confederate countries, which fully shows us his “change” activities. “The United States has been disengaged from many of these organizations in recent years. So let me be clear: Those days have passed. As an Asia-Pacific nation, the United States expects to be involved in the discussions that shape the future of this region and to participate fully in appropriate organizations as they are established and evolve," Obama announced.

Obama visited Japan, Singapore and Korea in haste, but stayed in China for 4 days and 3 nights. Before Obama’s Asian trip, people from all sides expected him to bring democracy and freedom to China but, according to some reports, many Americans feel disappointed and sorry that Obama didn’t clearly address the key issue of human rights or make any breakthroughs in terms of the global economy and greenhouse gas emissions and so on. In addition, meeting with students in Shanghai became a mere formality due to China’s broadcast restrictions and internet blocking. Without real freedom, democracy and human rights, China does not add positive meaning to international social peace and stability.

2009, a year favorable to change, is passing by and 2010, a year of taking action, is coming. In the face of severe tests and challenges, Obama must unfold a leader’s breadth of mind and viewpoint in order to realize his new American dreams.