This morning I woke up to the announcement that President Obama, who was elected on a promise of hope and change, received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The last American president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize was President Carter. I certainly pray for hope and change that President Obama does a better job as president than Carter did in his four years.

In 1979, President Carter turned his back on the Shah of Iran by refusing to support the Iranian government under the Shah. The result was the overthrow of a friendly government and the return of the Ayatollah Khomeini.

This was the start of the problems the Western world faces today. And, of course, Carter’s handling of the economy was a disaster, leading to the election of President Reagan

President Obama has already put my children, grandchildren and my great-granddaughter in debt with his hope and change policies. I can only hope that the president will change and restore common sense to governing our country.

I can only hope that the Nobel Peace Prize is not the “kiss of death” for an American president. Gus Smyrnos Newbury Park