Can the new Democractic leadership turn this country around?

In the article "Reinvention or Recovery?", author David E. Sanger asks the question that many of us have on our minds: Can the new president turn the economy around, while creating a new style of government? It is a pressing question, and one that happens to be on the tip of every body's tongue at the moment. These are tough questions. Can we revive the economy while creating a new image of U.S. in regards to policy and focus? President Obama faces troubles that have not been seen before in most of our lifetimes. The President feels confident that he can achieve both by sticking to his guns. Many good programs came about as a result of situations similar to the one we face today. Social Security and Medicare are just a couple that Mr. Sanger mentions in his article. The nagging question is whether or not we can change the face of the nation while also pulling it out of a serious nosedive. Massive amounts of spending will be necessary to turn the tide of recession, but not everyone agrees where it should be spent. Many compare this to Roosevelt's New Deal, but the main difference is his was financed at home, while we are counting on China to fund this one.

I believe that it is possible to accomplish both tasks at the same time, but it will take expert direction from the new White House regime. I feel that the number one priority should be getting the economy back on track, because it is imperative that other countries do not perceive the U.S. as weakening. The other programs should come in line after this is underway. Projects like making the U.S. more "green" are important, but not as important as reviving a dying world economy. Money should be poured into the U.S. infrastructure, which has been decaying slowly but surely since the 1950's. Instead of bailing out these ailing financial behemoths, we should put the money into projects like bridge replacement and highway updates. This would create jobs in a tough market and also address an issue brought to light by the I-35 bridge collapse last year.

This is a test of our democratic society in the toughest of times. Will Congress and the President work together in harmony to pull us out of this slump? Will we have bipartisan cooperation and get the bills and legislation that will be necessary to revive the economy and change the U.S. focus? Only time will tell.