The historic election of Senator Barack Obama

The historic election of Senator Barack Obama affects us all.

I am a lifetime fan of America’s natural beauty and culture. I also have many friends there who know that America’s reputation for upholding democracy and human rights has been tarnished in recent years.

But the emergence of Obama has vastly improved America’s image and could allow it to play a more credible role in helping solve common problems - global economic crisis, climate change and terror.

The election of the first black President also proves the ability of the American system to overcome injustice.

Slavery made a mockery of the American Declaration of Independence that all men (and women) are created equal.

It is also within living memory that black people were discriminated against in ways that echoed apartheid. The position of many working class black people there still needs major change.

The rise of Obama also holds up a mirror against other countries and should encourage greater participation by black people in public life.

I have spent many years working with trade unions in the US who represent miners and public service workers. They will be hopeful that Obama will deliver on things that we accept as our right such as universal health care. They will expect much and it will take more than fine orations to repair the damage caused by George Bush’s foreign policy failures and the collapse of the capitalist system.

I expect that the widespread welcome for Obama will wane as tough decisions are made.

But all the big world crises require American involvement. America is one of the most productive and dynamic countries in the world with enough economic, diplomatic, political and, yes, military power to make a difference, as it did in the two major wars of the 20th century.

Some tried to whistle in the wind by hailing the emergence of a presidential novice, as if David Cameron could emulate Obama. But what Obama has in common with Gordon Brown is using the positive power of government to help working people weather the economic storms caused by an out of control market system.

I hope that Obama’s campaign slogan, "yes, we can" succeeds in revitalising America and the rest of the world.

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Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT