Congratulations, Obama. Let’s get to work!
- By Richard Branson -
- Jan 21, 2013
Watched America’s 57th inauguration of the President of the United States and its first black president – who was just sworn in on Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday.
Below is the view I was meant to be getting at the inauguration from my seat. Very sadly had to cancel at the last minute.
What an exciting day for the US. With his re-election, Obama can press on with his efforts to include more Americans in a prosperous democracy with more jobs and greater access to health care and social equality - and also begin to address serious issues that impact the rest of the world such as climate change and the failed war on drugs.
And what an exciting day for people all around the globe. For the citizens of countries who are watching the inauguration celebrations, in countries that allow free speech and permit them access to such information, Obama’s re-election shows that the people of the world’s largest democracy have voted for and re-elected its first black president, one who has made promising progress for American citizens and will do more in the next four years. Let this be a reminder that equality and inclusion are possible everywhere for the prosperity of all.
All of us overseas also hope the speech he made in Egypt in 2009 about addressing the Israel-Palestine issue will be confronted in this term, moving towards long-term security for Israel by giving them their own state. Also, after all these years of the US treating Cuba as a pariah let's hope it is possible for normal relations to be renewed.
Congratulations, President Obama. Let’s get to work!
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
