US citizens on the big issues

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7837828.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Barack Obama struck a sober tone as he delivered his inaugural speech in front of two million people in Washington on Tuesday, acknowledging the scale of the challenge that he now faces.

The president called for "bold and swift" action of the economy and the "remaking" of America. He said the US was a "friend of each nation" and that the country was "ready to lead once more".

Here US citizens discuss some of the major issues that matter to them personally, and that the new president will have to tackle.

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7793045.stm">Barack Obama's priorities for 2009</a>

<hr />

Issue: the economy

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837216.stm">I recently got together with my fellow Chrysler electricians. We feel like our lives are on hold</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837216.stm">Mark Suter </a> | Brookston, Indiana | Democrat

<hr />

Issue: foreign policy

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837436.stm">We must repair our relationships with countries that we have alienated</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837436.stm">Jess Carmichael</a> | Seattle, Washington | Independent

<hr />

Issue: taxation

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837274.stm">On the big issues like the economy I fear we will be moving in the wrong direction</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837274.stm">Jim Riedmann</a> | Gleneale, Arizona | Republican

<hr />

Issue: healthcare

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837748.stm">A growing number of people are at risk of losing their health insurance during this recession</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837748.stm">Katheryn Gallant</a> | West Covina, California | Democrat

<hr />

Issue: education costs

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837796.stm">With unemployment rates rising, people my age are scrambling to get the necessary education</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837796.stm">Katie Sparrow</a> | Washington DC | Republican

<hr />

Issue: welfare reform

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837374.stm">Mr Obama and his family are wonderful role models, showing what you can do if you stick to a goal from a young age</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837374.stm">Mary Beal</a> | Hartford City, Indiana | Independent

<hr />

Issue: fluctuating prices

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837784.stm">The wild swings in prices of fuel and fertilizer have made it impossible to plan. I've never seen anything like it</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837784.stm">Brian Hind</a> | Kansas | Republican

<hr />

Issue: immigration

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837232.stm">Americans have mixed feelings about immigrants. We need them, but aren't sure what to do with them once they get here</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837232.stm">Srinivas Bangarbale</a> | Washington DC | Independent

<hr />

Issue: gay rights

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837254.stm">It was groundbreaking for Barack Obama to include in an unashamed way gay Americans in his vision for the nation</a><a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7837254.stm">Daniel Petraglia</a> | Montgomery county, Pennsylvania | Democrat

<hr />

<i>The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider US public opinion.</i>