Athens, Greece - It would be very difficult to place demands on the new Congress that are not in line with what is good for the citizens of the United States. But, in our shrinking world, it no longer seems ironic to say that what is good for America might just be good for the world as well. So, if the representatives and senators show greater interest in major national issues such as the protecting the environment, fighting poverty, managing immigration and solving the problem of healthcare, it will be to the benefit to the planet as a whole.
America is the acknowledged leader both in terms of consumption of natural resources and in creating innovative solutions. So if it consumes less and finds ways to deal with problems that the whole world faces, we all gain. In some cases, the Democrats will have to rethink their policies -- such as protectionism -- if they are to benefit the rest of the world.
In foreign policy, it is obvious that the United States needs to reestablish its alliances and also to engage the "Axis of Evil" countries. The days of "shock and awe" are over. Talks with countries such as Syria, Iran and North Korea may lead to mixed results, but even these will be better than today's achievements. And taking a serious interest in the Middle East and other difficult regions may lead to new confidence among the parties involved, and also the understanding that solutions to tricky problems will be in everyone's interests.
These may be dreams, but the combative Democrats have benefited from the American people's anger and are in a strong position to reestablish the values that made America great.
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