SHOW ELECTIONS IN IRAQ, FINE? But Where are the Iraqi "Federalist Papers?"
Consider:
One of the key events of this year will be the coming elections in Iraq.
So much of the Bush presidency is invested in this one event, that the election outcome could set the tone for the next four years.
Clearly, big mistakes have been make.
The biggest mistake might have been trying to have an early nation-wide election at all!
What is needed in Iraq today is not necessarily pure one person one vote Jeffersonian democracy; but rather, REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT!
And, alas, now that seems to be lost with the threatened Sunni boycot.
The current SHOW ELECTION demanded by Washington will be dangerous, and insulting to many Iraqis;
BETTER TO HAVE HAD A SERIES OF LOCAL AND TRIBAL CAUCUSES.
THESE LOCAL ELECTIONS COULD THEN FEED INTO REGIONAL CONGRESSES, AND THEN ON UP TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.
PLAINLY PUT, IRAQ IS NOT READY FOR A NATION WIDE POPULAR ELECTION YET. EVEN AMERICANS DON'T ELECT THE PRESIDENT DIRECTLY! WE STILL HAVE AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. THINK ABOUT IT.....
THERE ARE SERIOUS REGIONAL AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED OUT AT THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL FIRST,
AND THEN "SOLD TO THE PEOPLE" IN THE PROVINCES IN THE SAME WAY OUR "FEDERALIST PAPERS" WHERE USED TO SELL THE NEW CONSTITUTION TO AMERICANS IN 1789.
In truth, America and Iraq are quite similar in that regard. American states after the Revolution saw themselves as "indepentant sovereigns," mini-states joined by convenience into a temporary federation. BUT NEVER AS A SINGLE NATION!
THE NOTION OF A SINGLE NATION CALLED THE "USA," TOOK A CIVIL WAR TO SETTLE MANY YEARS LATER!
AND IT'S TOTAL FOLLY TO EXPECT IRAQIS TO HAVE MORE SOPHISTICATION IN MATTERS OF FEDERALISM THAN WE HAD IN THE FIRST 100 YEARS OF OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
So, whether the upcoming Iraqi Elections solve anything, or just make matters worse is an open question.
But one thing seems clear:
THE SAME PEOPLE WHO GAVE US THIS "HAMFISTED" ILL-PLANNED INVASION AND OCCUPATION;
ARE PROBABLY THE VERY ONES WHO CAME UP WITH THIS SCREWBALL IDEA OF A NATION-WIDE ELECTION IN IRAQ AT THIS POINT.
IRAQIS DON'T NEED JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY NOW! BUT THEY DO NEED REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL LEADERSHIP
IRAQIS NEED THEIR OWN VERSIONS OF OUR MADISONS, PAINES, HAMILTONS, FRANKLINS AND OTHER WRITERS OF OUR "FEDERALIST PAPERS"-----TO EXPLAIN AND DEBATE THE WHYS AND WHEREFORES OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO IRAQ TODAY......
THIS VOTE ON THE 30TH OF JANUARY IS WAY TOO EARLY TO BE AT ALL MEANINGFULL.
IT'S REALLY AN EXERCISE IN "FAST FOOD" DEMOCRACY TEXAS STYLE!
NECESSITATED BY DUBYA'S HAMFISTED "IMPERIALISM ON THE CHEAP!"
But, if it gets American soldiers out of Iraq one day early----it will be worth it to most Americans.
BECAUSE MOST AMERICANS JUST WANT THIS IRAQ MESS TO BE OVER!
