I cannot properly express the mixture of both relief and excitement I currently have. Obama’s election to the highest office in the world is the greatest promise this generation could have given to the world. As a product of a post-sixties era that became cynical and selfish, Obama shows the potential to be both idealistic and pragmatic in government, politics and policy.

I am very pro-American. This doesn't mean I support America's foreign policy as a realpolitik neo-con. And I'm a Democrat, which means I'm not a disgusting Republican who claims my opponents hate the USA.

Recently, there have been vitriolic attacks upon "East-coast elitists", ironically from Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani. And the elitist tag looks weaker when you consider McCain and Obama's backgrounds. But it is being used to imply America is about Mid-West "small town values".

What are small town values?

But the America I know and love, is that of a country set up on an ideal. By, you guessed it, east-coast liberal elitists. Small town values often endorses the treasonous Republican policies which violates the US constitution.

The founding fathers were the most cosmipolitan people of their day. They weren't interested in hunting or muskets, but science and philosophy.

That is who founded the United States of America. Sarah Palin's America, is not the America I love.

McCain now , all of a sudden, seems to be stealing Obama’s change-agent, pro working and middle class, clothes.

The US Tax Policy Institute’s 14 August comparative analysis (reported by Money & Markets) of the two candidates’ proposed tax burden (below) shows that 7-property-owner McCain clearly knows which side of his bread to further butter!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7559252.stm

Very strong reaction from Bush. The US MILITARY is sending "humanitarian" aid to Georgia.

Interesting, if slightly worrying times we live in.

Where is Brown? - People want to hear a statement personally from our leader. An aggressor state is once again at EUROPE'S DOOR.

If there is one thing that could bring down rising food costs currently, it is scrapping agricultural subsidies in America and Europe.

The subsidies feel like a conspiracy to grind Africa into submission. Not only do they cost the taxpayer half of the EU budget, but it piles on the costs of food bills.

Yet Susan Schwab disgraced herself, by saying that it was "unconscionable" that developing countries were demanding protectionist policies. I think all trade tarrifs should be lifted, but I would rather we had protectionism for Africa than Europe or the USA.

Sadly, there is little hope that subsidies will be lifted in the USA, owing to huge political pressure.

What is truely "unconsionable", is that there is protectionism for the rich. EU subsidies aren't going towards 'the little guy', nor are American subsidies, although Conservative politicians would have you believe otherwise. The subsidies are going to massive corporations, like Tate and Lyle.

How on earth Republicans and UMP members can bleat about the unfettered free market, like their British counterparts, while supporting trade barriers big enough to reach the clouds is bewildering.

Postscript: I'm hoping all people on here don't support Sarkozy. I remember the rather heated debate last year, when JR supported Sarkozy. Thank god he's gone, as there are actually many reasonable, and loyal socialist New Labourites. JR's support was based on the 35 hour working week, which was apparently bringing down France. You would have though from his moanings, that all French workers were being dragged out from their workplaces against their will. Well, it only applied to half of workers, and productivity as well as quality of life soared. But what about the economic effects? Unemployment fell by 3%. Someone's freedom to work more than 35 hours was still met. Except they weren't paid overtime. They still had freedom to work, but it was balanced against freedom from being coerced into working long hours. There are literally millions in this country who sign contracts 'voluntarily', saying that they should work for more than 48 hours. It was only a couple of years ago that a third of men were working more than 50 hours. We could learn some lessons from the French. But not on agricultural subsidies.

Do you agree with Harry Cohen MP, the member for Leyton and Wanstead, that:

• The US is attempting to force civil war in Iraq?
  
• The British are helping the US take over Iraq's assets?
• US/UK failure to ensure security, humanitarian aid and economic investment?
• US to stay in Iraq for the long term to rob the country of its resources?

His article is on the Socialist Campaign Group News website.

Please vote in the poll.

- - costing 11,000 British jobs (and some French and German ones).

Thanks to Harry’s Place for reminding us all “across the pond” that July 4th should be celebrated in these parts as well!

“Today is the day when the British freed themselves from a despotic monarchy and declared independence.

Unfortunately, they were unable to liberate their homeland of the British Isles, but those Britons willing to stand up to a tyrannical king went on to become “Americans” and created a world superpower, invented the corndog, and gave the world Bob Dylan”.

Happy Birthday to all our Revolutionary American Cousins!

Picture here is of what is considered to the first flag of the United States, the “Grand Union” or “Continental Colours” (properly spelt of course) flag that was in use 1775-1777.

 

I take this blog, to express my sadness at the shocking cold-blooded murders, at the Virginia Tech University yesterday, in which 32 people were killed. May it hopefully be, that the only progress made from this massacre, is that there will be progress in the area of gun control in the US. May those 32 students and teachers, rest in peace.

What now for Congress and President Bush?

The United States goes to the polls today to elect a new House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. It's a make-or-break moment for both parties, but could yield greater dangers for the Democrats if they fail to make the most of their opportunity.

AS. Heath on how this new Middle East crisis is like manna from heaven for a lame-duck President and a struggling Republican Party.

Are Israel playing a game of chance in Lebanon?

So how did the Americans cover the story of the Nat West Three that has been engulfing everything here?