"I am here because of our democracy's victory. I am here because of our people. It was your victory."
These were the words of the new Democratic leader, opening the door to a new era.
But these weren't the words of President Obama. These were the words of Yukio Hatoyama, the Prime Minister of Japan -- the country where I am from.
It may be hard for the American people to believe but, last year, Japan has finally broke out from the almost uninterrupted 50 years-rule by a single party. We were ruled by the conservatives for decades.
But the young people stood up. We said it was enough. It was finally our turn. "No more," we said. "It was time for a new era."
And so they promised. Our new leader from the Democratic Party promised a new era for Japan. He promised to fix the economy, to increase jobs for every citizens, to help every child to go to college, and to tackle climate change, to end the war in Iraq, and to bring Japan back on its feet. To re-build our country.
"Let's fix our country," he said. "It is time to clean up Japan."
But we are already biting on a sense of betrayal and frustration. The only visible changes we are witnessing in our country are continuous job losses and increasing national debt, with no end in sight, with no light in the distance, only time passing.
"Last year, I promised you change," Prime Minister Hatoyama said. "But please remember, I also said that these changes will not be easy."
Every single word was echoing inside my head. I have heard him repeat these words so many times. And even tonight, as I was sitting in front of the television, watching the American leader's State of the Union address along with my American friends, I heard the President say:
I campaigned on the promise of change - change we can believe in, the slogan went. And right now, I know there are many Americans who aren't sure if they still believe we can change - or at least, that I can deliver it.
But remember this - I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation of three hundred million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That's just how it is.
I thought the two leaders, both from the Democratic party, were caught in the same situation.
But I was wrong. Tonight, I became so jealous of the leader you have. The detailed 70 min speech outlined the course of his presidency so far. He accepted the problems. He understood people were frustrated and losing faith.
But he reminded that we've got no time to lose:
Meanwhile, China's not waiting to revamp its economy. Germany's not waiting. India's not waiting. These nations aren't standing still. These nations aren't playing for second place. They're putting more emphasis on math and science. They're rebuilding their infrastructure. They are making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.
Well I do not accept second-place for the United States of America. As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it's time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.
My heart was pumping. I was struck with a sense of jealousy. Because the Democrat leader from my country can never speak directly to the people's heart. But President Obama can. I was jealous because the Democrat leader from my country could never make people cheer and cry with joy. But President Obama can. He is a true leader. President Obama isn't a "sell-out". He isn't dead.
Nevertheless, there is one reason, at least for the time being, why I am not jealous of America: we have a universal health care for every single citizens. Because every middle-class Japanese people rely so much on this healthcare. But not all Americans know how this feels. Every middle-class Japanese benefit so much from this healthcare. But not all Americans can benefit.
But both of us, at the same time, share some common problems. We both face a terrible economic time. We both strive hard to a greener world. We both need to remind ourselves why we chose our leaders.
Regardless of the differences, remember, as President Obama said tonight:
To Democrats, I would remind you that we still have the largest majority in decades, and the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills.
Here's also what Bob Cesca wrote on the Huffington Post today:
Ask yourself what we'll win in the long run by accusing the president of being a "sell out" or by promoting the myth that he hasn't achieved anything in his first year (again, he has -- and much of it is very progressive). We're the smart ones. We're the ones who are "reality-based." We can win without being counterproductive. We can figure it out. And I think that in doing so, we can make our peace with the White House.
Things have just started.
Yes, America, you still can. Yes, we still can.