Time to get to work

So the election is over, the votes have been counted, and now it's time to look ahead.

I'll let others that know more about it dissect this election -- what went right for Obama, what went wrong for McCain. The fact of the matter is we've got some real problems in this country. Now it's time to get to work.

One last word about partisanship: Here's hoping the losers don't grovel, don't become bitter, don't run and hide for four years. It's time to get to work.

And, here's hoping the winners don't gloat, don't become arrogant, don't become drunk on the heady wine of victory. It's time to get to work.

Let's face it, folks, we've got some problems. War continues to rage in the Middle East. Here's hoping we get to work on a plan that will continue the post-surge successes and start eyeing an end game, at least in Iraq. Oh, and it would be nice to know where in the world is Osama bin Laden. It's time to get to work.

The American economy is struggling, to put it mildly. Here's hoping the new administration puts together an economic stimulus package to get things chugging and stave off this possible recession. It's time to get to work.

Health care is out of control. Hate to use myself as an example, but I'm paying almost $200 a month for prescription drugs. That makes it difficult to enjoy the important things in life. I'm still weary of nationalized health care, but a change has got to come. The current system is broken. It's time to get to work.

The American education system is in desperate need of overhaul. Our current model is based on a pre-Industrial Revolution calendar in which students needed off in the summer to harvest the fields. No Child Left Behind is a complete disaster. Obama should work to eliminate it from day one. Rigor and relevance are a must if we're going to remain competitive worldwide. It's time to get to work.

We can no longer remain chained to oil as our primary energy source. Major change is long overdue. We've known this for at least 30 years and chose to ignore it after prices dropped in the mid-1980s. It's time to get to work.

And so it goes. Bottom line is our system still works. The peaceful transition of power may be the most revolutionary idea our founders created.

We can overcome any obstacle, bear any burden and face the future with determination and optimism.

As a former president once said, only Americans can defeat America. This can still be our rendezvous with destiny, if we work together -- disagree when necessary -- but stay engaged as a country.

It's time to get to work.