"The Obama administration plans to move quickly to tighten the nation’s financial regulatory system."

Is it really happening? Do we actually have a President that is doing things to make our country more rational and fair? I've been wondering since before "B" was in office if it was possible to "go backwards" after a country has gone down a certain path. More specifically, would the policy makers of our country, with a government so seemingly entrenched in its ways change policy and laws to take power from themselves and give it back to the populous? Even Bill Clinton worked within the existing framework that previous administrations layed out.

But President Obama, in just four days, is actually doing just this.

A few years ago when I was helping (man) a 24-hour vigil in front of the California offices of Nancy Pelosi as a statement against the Iraqi invasion, a woman came up to me crying and saying she's lost all hope. Without thinking—as it is not in my character to be positive—I said no matter what the situation, ever, one cannot lose hope. Once you do, you allow the "evil" forces do have their way. I have to say that during this past administration, I lost hope in our democracy. I really thought my country went so far down a corrupt path of greed and fear that no President, no matter how inspired he/she may be, could possibly move such a vast, entrenched system very much. There are just too many people involved who have a stake—and a say—to allow the kind of change necessary to bring our democracy back in line with the intent of our amazingly fair-minded forefathers. I believed we've past the point of no return.

It's way too early to make a final judgement on Obama. This administration is so new and for a number of situational reasons, the Senate and House are giving him a lot of leeway. The inevitable attacks by Republicans, and even Democrats (I love that about them) will attempt to divert and force his hand in ways no one can foresee. Anyone who follows US politics knows the script. Big business still has their greedy tentacles all through the halls of both houses.

But for now: Gobama!