Barack Obama

[cheersm8]

Hi all, just adding a thought. Nothing to do with Barack Obama, but still relative. I'm a Brit, so I'm asking this, as a Brit. Do you Americans ever feel that you country is to big, both geographiclay, and population wise, to ever have a satisfactory 'please all' president? OK OK, I know that many countries do, and all countries are diverse in the attitudes of their populace, but I do feel that the USA has such varying ideals, beliefs wants and don't wants etc, often town by town differences, not just state by state, that having one President could never be a worthy representative of your nations wishes.
So, whoever the luckless soul is who has the presidential seat is going to be dog wipe to some, and candy to others.

[TracyCoxx]

Cheersm8, good question. It takes a president without the audacity to believe that he is the solution to everyone's problems. He should recognize what you say - that America is large and diverse, and also recognize that Americans are capable of solving many of their own problems.

The US is (supposed to be at least) a government for the people, by the people. It was recognized early on that different regions will have different needs. Thats why there are states, and the states are supposed to be largely self governing. The president should also be well aware of the self correcting nature of capitalism. He should strive to keep the government small and lean. Otherwise, they are inefficiently manging what can be better managed by states who can tailor policies for their specific population.

That said, capitalism isn't perfect. And for that, and other things there are places where US govt can and should step in as a stabilizing force. The US government needs to manage foreign policy, the economy and foreign trade. The president is also commander in chief and is therefore responsible for national security. Other than those things, the national government needs to get out of the way.