The economy - Mark Suter

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.

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

Barack Obama's priorities for 2009

Mark Suter Automotive electrician | Democrat

I recently got together with my fellow Chrysler electricians. We feel like our lives are on hold

Age: 50

Lives: Brookston, Indiana

Occupation: electrician

Political orientation: Democrat

Last election voted: Obama

In 10 words or fewer: Liberal, free-thinker. Co-workers say I'm intelligent, well-read, a passionate Democrat

Voters' Views: main page

"The economy is the big issue for me. I have spent the last 10 years working in a career I thought was stable and would take me to retirement.

I have a large house on three acres of land with a big mortgage and a daughter in college at the moment.

I was employed at Chrysler's massive transmission [gearbox] plant in Kokomo, Indiana. The factory used to build an average of 5,000 transmissions in a single day.

It all came to a screeching halt for me when I was laid off in early March of this year. I'm currently seeking employment elsewhere, anywhere. I'm getting by pay cheque-to-pay cheque with Indiana unemployment benefit and Chrysler sub-pay.

I'm considering relocating to another region of the country but with the declining real estate values I'd take a huge loss on my home.

I recently got together with four of my fellow Chrysler electricians. We all have children and mortgages and fear for our futures. We feel like our lives are on hold until this problem with Chrysler gets sorted out. It's a dreadful feeling, like not having any control over our own lives.

Nobody is spending money on anything. Purchases are being put off. My wife needs a new porcelain crown on a front tooth, but I've lost my dental insurance.

At least with Obama, working class people have a champion in the White House. Obama worked as a community organiser on Chicago's Southside and saw first hand what happened to people there when the big steel mill, South Chicago Works, went under.

I think he's going to face some difficulty. For one thing, Republican senators and congressmen who signed off for eight years on Bush's massive budget deficits have suddenly 'found religion' when it comes to trying to balance a budget.

I think Obama will have to put more money into the big three auto companies. I don't think we can afford to allow millions of high-paying jobs to simply vanish. It's going to be a wild ride and interesting times ahead!"

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