The American way?

By: AUGETTO CRAIG

THE United States of America today elects its leader for the next four years.

The two leading contenders are incumbent President George W Bush

and champion of the opposition Democratic Party, John F Kerry.

Bastion of democracy, upholder of the free market system and a

tribute to capitalism, the land of opportunity will today practise

the governance system which it believes is the best in the world

and each citizen will today use the power guaranteed them in the

American constitution.

 

As the world leader and self appointed watch-dog of human

rights, liberty, justice and democracy, the US is understandably

under intense scrutiny during this reaffirmation of "the American

way".

 

Unfortunately the scrutiny reveals little that gives hope either

to that country, or to the rest of the world, which seems to be

following in its footsteps.

 

Of the two leading candidates, neither Bush nor Kerry has been

able to make clear what alternatives they offer to continued War

Against Terror.

 

The two have battled each other in arenas littered with 9/11

artefacts, homeland security devices and leaking oil barrels.

 

Each has thrust and parried, each has waded in swinging and run

for cover alternately, but throughout all the mud-slinging and

verbal sparring, neither has shown his mettle, his quality or

indeed his leadership to any great effect.

 

Now, on the day of reckoning, the choices left to Americans

reflect the sad reality of their country.

 

A decadent, debauched state of affairs promoting the love of

money above all else; the American dream of riches and power for

anyone ruthless enough to take it from the weak has awakened the

dreamers to the harsh reality.

 

Bush's tenure has been known for tax reforms for the rich,

increased military spending linked with social security and

medicare, saving American lives for production.

 

Other resources such as oil were sought aggressively, especially

after Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda made their appearance on the

world stage.

 

Saddam Hussein was identified as the usual suspect and Iraq was

liberated by military means.

 

Bush led the west headlong into a UN-brokered invasion and

occupation which has had far-reaching international relations

ramifications, and discredited the United Nations Organisation's

legitimacy.

 

Attempts to set up alternative government have met resistance

from within the community and terrorist activity is a daily

occurrence.

 

In Iraq, people die all around, day in and day out.

 

John F Kerry, the other leading candidate, the only threat

according to US and allied media, is a hardened, willing war

veteran, with stars and stripes, the works.

 

Since then he has turned statesman and championed cause after

cause.

 

Settled now, married with five kids and a grandchild, this new

JFK feels ready to take over from the blundering hands of

others.

 

He intends to fix the problem by targeting al Qaeda instead of

the now defeated but still squirming Iraqis.

 

He wants to unite the nations of the world behind the

eradication of terrorism from the face of the earth.

 

The reality is today Americans vote, and the world watches with

dazed eyes.

 

There you have it, in my opinion.

 

Good luck to them.

 

Thank God I am in Namibia.

 

Bastion of democracy, upholder of the free market system and a

tribute to capitalism, the land of opportunity will today practise

the governance system which it believes is the best in the world

and each citizen will today use the power guaranteed them in the

American constitution.As the world leader and self appointed

watch-dog of human rights, liberty, justice and democracy, the US

is understandably under intense scrutiny during this reaffirmation

of "the American way".Unfortunately the scrutiny reveals little

that gives hope either to that country, or to the rest of the

world, which seems to be following in its footsteps.Of the two

leading candidates, neither Bush nor Kerry has been able to make

clear what alternatives they offer to continued War Against

Terror.The two have battled each other in arenas littered with 9/11

artefacts, homeland security devices and leaking oil barrels.Each

has thrust and parried, each has waded in swinging and run for

cover alternately, but throughout all the mud-slinging and verbal

sparring, neither has shown his mettle, his quality or indeed his

leadership to any great effect.Now, on the day of reckoning, the

choices left to Americans reflect the sad reality of their

country.A decadent, debauched state of affairs promoting the love

of money above all else; the American dream of riches and power for

anyone ruthless enough to take it from the weak has awakened the

dreamers to the harsh reality.Bush's tenure has been known for tax

reforms for the rich, increased military spending linked with

social security and medicare, saving American lives for

production.Other resources such as oil were sought aggressively,

especially after Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda made their appearance

on the world stage.Saddam Hussein was identified as the usual

suspect and Iraq was liberated by military means.Bush led the west

headlong into a UN-brokered invasion and occupation which has had

far-reaching international relations ramifications, and discredited

the United Nations Organisation's legitimacy.Attempts to set up

alternative government have met resistance from within the

community and terrorist activity is a daily occurrence.In Iraq,

people die all around, day in and day out.John F Kerry, the other

leading candidate, the only threat according to US and allied

media, is a hardened, willing war veteran, with stars and stripes,

the works.Since then he has turned statesman and championed cause

after cause.Settled now, married with five kids and a grandchild,

this new JFK feels ready to take over from the blundering hands of

others.He intends to fix the problem by targeting al Qaeda instead

of the now defeated but still squirming Iraqis.He wants to unite

the nations of the world behind the eradication of terrorism from

the face of the earth.The reality is today Americans vote, and the

world watches with dazed eyes.There you have it, in my opinion.Good

luck to them.Thank God I am in Namibia.

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