American democracy: is it by the people?

Bangalore, India, March 11 — President Abraham Lincoln said in Gettysburg, "Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal....that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

President Obama, when he was a candidate, gave his vision in the following words: "This century's threats are at least as dangerous as, and in some ways more complex than, those we have confronted in the past. They come from weapons that can kill on a mass scale and from global terrorists who respond to alienation or perceived injustice with murderous nihilism. They come from rogue states allied to terrorists and from rising powers that could challenge both America and the international foundation of liberal democracy. They come from weak states that cannot control their territory or provide for their people.

"As commander in chief, I would also use our armed forces wisely. When we send our men and women into harm's way, I will clearly define the mission, seek out the advice of our military commanders, objectively evaluate intelligence, and ensure that our troops have the resources and the support they need. I will not hesitate to use force, unilaterally if necessary, to protect the American people or our vital interests whenever we are attacked or imminently threatened."

There is a review of Afghanistan-Pakistan policy by the best minds of the present administration. But the surge of 17,000 troops is happening even before the review is over and approved by the president. Candidate Obama promised to take American troops out of Iraq, from a war which he voted against as senator and which he promised to end by bringing back all the American troops before Christmas, later extended to 16 months.

Today, we hear that the president has extended it further to 2011, a date originally promised by Bush. Not only that, but 50,000 out of the present 142,000 troops will remain, maybe indefinitely.The American people voted for Obama over McCain, because they thought McCain was going to be the same as having Bush for a third term. But suddenly we find out that the Obama presidency is turning out to be almost like a third term of Bush, compared to the campaign promises Obama made.

What we find is that the American people, in spite of all the primary debates within the parties and then the presidential debates, and campaign promises, are not considered intelligent enough to know the truth about various issues affecting them. What we see is that government policies are run by special interests. These interests do not want to be influenced by the general public, which may not be adequately informed about the special needs of the nation of America. These issues could be high finance and national security issues, but could be expanded to include health care, education, and time taken to sign bills after they are approved by the Senate (Obama promised at least one week, but in actual practice he is giving only two days or even less!!).

Indian media used to talk about how ignorant the general Indian populace is about various issues affecting them like the Indo-US nuke deal, wherein even elected parliamentarians may not know the difference between uranium and plutonium. But now I find that Americans voted for change with regard to Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan-Pakistan, but actually they are getting Bush III. What Candidate Obama promised cannot be implemented.

I can say with a smirk that it is not Indians alone who are being taken for a ride but citizens of America also, the oldest democracy in the world. Special interests run the country, even in democracies.