Op-Ed: Remember Me, President Elect Barack Obama

With the landslide victory of President Elect Barack Obama to the U.S. Presidency, how will this impact Canada? Will this administration be better equipped to handle the sometimes strained relationship between Canada and the U.S.A.? Lest they forget?

On September 11,2001 there was a vicious terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The Bush Administration shut down the U.S. airspace in a preventative measure. Canada allowed many planes that were U.S. bound to land safely on Canadian soil. Although it was very risky of Canada to do that, Canada is known around the world to open their hearts in a time of crisis. What would have happened if the Canadian Government decided not to get involved? Where would the planes have landed? The Bush Administration was very slow to acknowledge the rescue efforts of not only the Canadian Government, but also the many Canadian citizens who reached out and provided food,shelter and comfort. Now, seven years later, the American people have also chosen to vote with their hearts. Perhaps over the past seven years they have humbled themselves to follow Canada's lead and vote based on looking for the greater good. With the win of President Elect Barack Obama, Canadians are hopeful that this will bring a renewed respect to Canada. The American people need to repair relations with their allies. Canadians often feel marginalized by American ideology. The "Big Giant Superpower" trying to swallow up smaller nations is a perception that many people have of the U.S.A. Will Barack Obama be willing and able to change that perception? Will he have a greater respect for sovereign nations? President Elect Obama has a huge but attainable task ahead of him. He has the support of the American people. It will be interesting in the days,weeks and months ahead to see how the American people respond. Are they ready to tackle the task at hand, or will they continue to use sensationalism to get their point across? Will they focus on important issues IE.the economy and improved foreign policy? I hope so. Lest they forget, again. Remember me.