Obama Calls Estonia "Model"

In his first State of the Union Address, US President Barack Obama cited Estonia as a "model of democracy which America would do well to emulate." In addition to confronting domestic issues such as unemployment, health care, terrorism, a war on two fronts, Obama took time in his speech to praise Estonia's flat income tax, zero tax on corporate earnings, and the "unique landscape of Võrumaa, which includes the witch's well, which is thought to be caused by witches underground in a sauna." Democrats and Republicans were a bit baffled by the presidential speech's detour into Estonia's southern hill country, but many, when polled afterwards, said they were considering a visit to Estonia this very summer. "Obama made me really think about Estonia's unique jagged coastline and her exciting abundance of winter- and summer family activities," said Representative Rosa DeLauro. "Not to mention the truly unique 600 plant species in one single hectare of land."
Obama has frequently mentioned Estonia during speeches, noted White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. "When I'm alone with him, it's all he talks about."