Election results are in: an optimistic perspective.(EDITOR'S NOTE)

There's no doubt that November's historic presidential election was exciting. But is our future promising? At this time of economic disability, we need hope, we need optimism and we need action in 2009 from our future leader, Barack Obama.

One of the critical issues on Obama's successful platform was the "New Energy for America" plan that intends to create green-collar jobs and focus on a national goal of energy efficiency. According to www.barackobama.com/issues/energy, the plan will:

* Provide short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump.

* Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next 10 years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.

* Within 10 years, save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.

* Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars on the road by 2015, cars that are built here in America.

* Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.