And why did it happen? Not just to bring a conclusive end to Republican rule. But because Barack Obama is one of the most inspiring and brilliant political figures of our generation.

Some people complain that he has not accomplished enough. Not me. He has done tremendous things in the scant 9 ½ months that he has had the job. Repairing eight years of Bush/Cheney damage is going to take more than a few months.

Was our euphoria at his election just a little too much? Were our hopes for quick results a bit too high?

Let’s applaud Obama for the many things he has accomplished. To cite a few:

- letting states to decide on the use of medical marijuana;
- increasing auto fuel economy standards;
- canceling needless F-22 fighter production;
- abandoning Bush missile placement in Poland;
- prohibiting the use of torture, and affirming the Geneva Convention;
- overturning the HIV ban for foreigners coming to the US
- giving maximum possible benefits to same-sex couples under existing law.
- reversing of Bush drilling permits in national parks;
- negotiating to extend the SALT treaty with Russia; restarting nuclear non-proliferation talks
- opening constructive dialogue with Muslims in speeches in Cairo and Turkey and on Arab TV;
- signing the largest expansion of conservation areas in past 15 years;
- funding incentives for a "green economy";
- putting $4.3 billion into "Race to the Top", a revolutionary improvement of public education that is moving ahead;
- allocating $19 billion to begin conversion to electronic medical record keeping;
- the stimulus package which have certainly averted a disastrous depression, including the US Auto industry rescue plan, US financial and banking rescue plan, housing rescue plan, a $789 billion economic stimulus plan

And just a few more:

- ending media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
- having the White House and Federal government respect the Freedom of Information Act
- Limiting lobbyist's access to the White House
- Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
- Closing secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere
- Acknowledging the existence of global warming and engaging in international negotiations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Creating tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
- Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
- Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
- Ending the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs;
- Ending the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
- Ending the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
- Improving conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
- Establishing a new cyber security office
- Ending previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
- Ordering a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
- Ending previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
- Appointing of first Latina to the Supreme Court
- Limiting salaries of senior White House aides, and closed the revolving door
- Paying for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket

Above all - taking on monumental forces to reform America’s health care system and create a more caring society, to include our 50 million uninsured. This deserves our fervent support.

And last but not least, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize!

Politics in America have not fundamentally changed. 46% of the voters still voted for John McCain, despite a bad campaign and a worse Vice-Presidential candidate.

Obama’s election was just the start. The struggle remains. The Republicans have made is clear they do not want to compromise. They will struggle right up to the Congressional elections in November 2010. Fox News and its ilk will continue to feed misinformation, hoping to make untruth real.

Here’s to Barack! He has our support. And we are grateful he is our President!

Bob Bragar
Chair, Democrats Abroad Netherlands