It might be my imagination but I think the world view of our country is changing (there goes the "change" word again) radically. Do you think that America is heading the right direction? I am not going to start singing the national anthem or beat my chest about wars we have won to make the world free for democracy to flourish. I just want to stimulate your thoughts about what our image should be.

Clearly after two terms of President Bush the United States relations with both allies and enemies were tested. Bush tried to stand for democracy at all cost. In his own way he told the world America is the only way of life. Get on board or get out of our way. This caused America great damage and cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars on wars and trade. The political right would claim these as long term victories at a modest cost for the quality of life that Americans demand. The left saw the wars and lost jobs shipped overseas as a theft on our economy. I believe they felt money spent on wars should have been spent on social programs at home. Broadly speaking these are general descriptions of ten percent of our population (the ultra liberal and the right wing conservative).

After nearly ten months of Obama in the White House things are changing fast. In his first trips to Eastern Europe and the Middle East the President apologized for the past administrations worldwide policies. Obama has said that America should not be the leader alone, but be a part of coalitions with allies. I heard Obama say that America could not do this by itself anymore. Is this the same message that American Presidents have been making? To me if you want to be recognized as a super power with all the responsibilities and benefits that come with this prominence, you can not be part of the crowd, YOU MUST STAND OUT IN FRONT OF THE CROWD! Being a strong leader does not mean that everyone has to agree with you or like you.

Where do you think this country is headed? I know that President Obama got the American people excited with a popu