At Kuzuka we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Obama for his historic and resounding victory earlier this week. Mr. Obama has captured the hearts and minds of people the world over, and we are optimistic that he will actually be able to deliver on some of the change that he promised throughout the lengthy campaign. Let us hope that Mr. Obama sticks to his word and brings the climate change issue to the federal level in the USA after years of relative ignorance to the problem. With the power shift that will be occurring when the new Congress starts in January, the Democrats are in the position to introduce rigorous but fair federal climate change legislation.

On another note, over the past several months it has been so interesting being able to monitor the American presidential race from my humble home in the Great White North. For those of you that aren’t aware of this, we had a federal election up here in Canada earlier this fall. The entire process took about six weeks from the time the Prime Minister announced the election to when it was held. What I found amazing was that during that six-week campaign period in September and October, most of my Canadian friends and family were much more interested in talking about the American election.

Why is this?

Is it because they knew that my wife and I are American citizens and they wanted to get an American perspective on the US election?

Is it because they were just doing the most favorite of Canadian pastimes – obsessively concerning themselves with American issues and comparing themselves to Americans?

I don’t think it is either of these reasons. I think the reason they were so interested in the American election more than their own is because the American candidates were actually appealing! Look at the two choices in the American election. One was a decorated war hero and one of the few maverick politicians known to cross party lines and vote with his conscience. The other was one of the most charismatic and motivating politicians I have ever seen, and the first African-American candidate to ever gain his party’s nomination for President.

What did we have to choose from here in Canada? We actually have a lot of political parties in Canada, but only two have a realistic chance of governing. Choice 1 - an incumbent prime minister with a bad attitude, bad haircut, and zero charisma or charm. Choice 2 – a lifelong academic who looks like one of the guys from the audio-visual club in high school. No wonder the Canadians were so turned off by their own election and mesmerized by the American one.

Congratulations again Mr. Obama. We at Kuzuka look forward to working in a country governed by an administration that will address the issue of climate change with the attention that it deserves.