World War II ended on this day, September 2, 1945--65 years ago!
America was at its peak of power and on its way to its greatest prosperity, after having suffered through the Great Depression!
Now, America is in the midst of the Great Recession, the greatest economic collapse since the 1930s, and it is challenged by other nations, and has participated in wars it has not been able to win!
The country is bitterly divided as to what its role in the world should be, and how it should deal with its numerous domestic problems!
There is no sense of unity or purpose, and the future is cloudy as to the power, role, and significance of the United States!
This is a time to reflect on the events of 65 years ago, and for Americans to consider how to continue to promote a future America with a sense of pride and hope, the prevalent mood back in 1945!
It is time to stop fighting and to unite behind the concept of joint goals, no matter what political persuasion, what ethnicity, what race, what religion, what part of the nation one lives in!
We all have a responsibility to leave this country better that what it is today for our children and grandchildren!
The growing role and influence of Vice President Joe Biden is becoming evident.
The replacement of General Stanley McChrystal by General David Petraeus was due a lot to the disrespect that McChrystal demonstrated toward Biden in his published comments in Rolling Stone Magazine!
Biden is the skeptic on the inside of the Obama Administration who has the expertise and experience that Obama does not have, and Obama greatly respects him!
But Biden is also the loyal supporter of the President in public, and he goes behind the scenes on many undisclosed missions to help promote the foreign policy of the the administration!
An example of his influence is his surprise trip to Iraq , to celebrate the Fourth of July, and to work with the Iraqi government on moving ahead on setting up a stable government and constitution. He went with his wife, which was a first for a top government leader, and he informed the Iraqi government that compromise was necessary, just as with the Constitutional Convention and the Founding Fathers in 1787!
Biden is also the link between the administration and the US Senate, as Biden spent more years in that body than all but a small number historically! He may not be able to vote in the Senate anymore, but as its constitutional officer, Biden still wields influence over his former colleagues!
President Obama remains popular overseas after 17 months in office, as indicated by recent surveys done by the Pew Research Center.
Especially favorable in Germany (90 percent), France (87 percent) and Great Britain (84 percent), the President's ratings in Russia (57 percent) and China (58 percent) were also notable!
The one area of the world where Obama has major problems is the Middle East and the Muslim countries, generally, who still have a major suspicion of the United States, due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the confrontation with Iran, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. So even in "friendly" Muslim countries such as Egypt, the President's standing is only 17 percent, despite Obama's outreach to the Islamic world!
Interestingly, at home, 65 percent like Obama's foreign policy, despite the attempts of conservatives and Republicans to attack and be critical of his initiatives!
In the midst of overwhelming domestic issues, including the month long crisis over the British Petroleum oil spill and its effect on the Gulf of Mexico, and the resulting threat to the economic survival of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and possibly the whole Atlantic coast as well, Barack Obama cannot afford to ignore burgeoning foreign policy crises!
One would think that we are referring here to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, which certainly remain areas of great challenges for the United States!
But the fact that so many of our "native" terrorists seem to have had a connection to Pakistan makes that Muslim nation the center of great attention and concern by our government as well!
Add to that the continuing problem of Iran's nuclear ambitions and their defiance of the West! Add to that the constant challenges of dealing with two super powers, in the sense of size and influence--China and Russia!
Also, now add to that list the growing threat of North Korea, which has been held responsible for an attack on a South Korean ship, which led to the death of 46 people on the vessel, and the reaction by both Koreas, leading to a real fear that another Korean conflict could be in the offing! When one realizes the devastation brought on by the Korean War from 1950-1953, the thought of a major war, which would engulf US forces there, and would require a full scale response by the United States in support of South Korea, is totally terrifying, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility!
Then add the problem of Venezuela, Somalia, Yemen, Burma, and even Mexico and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and it is enough to say: "Why would anyone want the job of President of the United States?" 
Vice President Joe Biden was thought to be likely to fade into the background, and be an insignificant factor in the Presidency of Barack Obama, but instead he is being seen as the secret weapon assisting Obama in many ways.
His experience, contacts, and warm relationships with many members of the Senate, plus his years as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and also as past Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, all are putting him in good stead as the administration faces the challenge of gaining Health Care reform, and dealing with intractable diplomatic issues.
In his role as presiding officer of the Senate, Biden could well be the decisive factor in the passage of "Reconciliation", which would bring about the enactment of the most significant social legislation since Medicare in the 1960s.
Biden is now in the Middle East, trying to promote diplomatic negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, and rallying Arabs against the rising threat of Iranian nuclear weapons. He has excellent contacts with many world leaders and is able, therefore, to assist Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her diplomatic activities.
A totally different Vice President than Dick Cheney, Biden could well be seen in the future as a major factor in the successes of a much younger, less experienced President whom he loyally serves!