I finally feel as though our long global nightmare - the failed experiment called neoconservatism - might starting the slow but inevitable road to the end. The death-throes might linger, but the next time the same ideas come around, hopefully it will be under some new moniker. I will be satisfied with a couple of terms of centre-left classical liberalism with some social conscience thrown in for good measure.
Obama invoked Lincoln, when he spoke about the "Better angels" of America's nature. It has been a long time since most of the world has seen that from the American administration. I hope that the new administration can remind the rest of the world what we love about America - not the power or wealth or culture (trust me, it ain't any of those things) - but the real ideology of America that people are basically good, that if left alone most people will do the right thing, and that if you aren't hurting anyone, more power to you. The Americans I have ever dealt with have been kind, generous, more or less charming, and most have a fascinating optimism about the world and its perfectibility. I love that.
I have heard America compared to a big, friendly, badly trained dog. You might get slobbered on, things might get knocked over or your yard dug up, but mostly intentions are good if you don't annoy it too much. For too many years, the dog has gone from a friendly pup to a fear-biting and suspicious pound dog.
Lets keep our fingers crossed for the good dog to come back.
