I have a dream

Am I dreaming or what? Mr Barack Obama won the US Presidency in very convincing numbers.

November 4 is a race of sorts. In [Melbourne] Australia, as all first Tuesdays of every, November 4 is the Melbourne Cup. A horse race that defines the psyche of every Australian punter, a nation literally stops for this race.

Fortunately for the average punter, Viewed, a 40 to 1 odd winner has paid handsomely for its backers. The result was photo finish for the second horse, Bauer, as well; one of the closest results in memory.

While in the US Presidential elections, Mr Barack Obama was ahead in the polls to take the election. The historic result for Mr Obama is a test of perseverance against all odds. As former Premier Minister Bob Carr wrote not too long ago, this election is more racial and financial than anything else (see a differing opinion here.)

Now that Obama is elected as the first African-American President, the real hard work begins. All the rhetoric must be backed up by concrete actions to solve the financial problems as well as the political ones that the previous White House occupant has helped to create.

Hopefully the experience of Mr John McCain during the Vietnam War will never happen to the young men and women who is serving their country now in Iraq and in other parts of the world.

The day for dreaming is past and gone, change is now the watchword and Mr Obama and his team is now on notice.