Illusion of democracy
Democracy; everybody praises and desires it. The word itself conjures up images of good sensible government, individual freedoms, and a society in which all have an equally powerful voice in the country's affairs. In fact, “democracy” literally means “rule of the people.” But like all words, “democracy” is just that; a word. A word that is twisted, manipulated and thrown around by everyone who claims it but fails to practice it.
Today, the illusion of democracy is greater than ever. There are only about ten countries in the world that do not claim to be democratic. Even countries such as North Korea, China, Colombia, Haiti, and virtually the whole continent of Africa claim to be democratic. But most people are not fools; they understand the difference between the claim and reality. North Koreans are quite aware of the fact that they live in a one-party dictatorship even though they live in a country called the “Democratic People's Republic of Korea.” Many Americans already know that they do not live in a democracy. They know that the two-party system is a fraud, and that Republocrats and Demublicans are controlled by the same elite. This is why there is such low voter turnout in the United States (U.S.).
But don't confuse low voter turnout with apathy, the people are angry. The people are speaking out and want change. In fact, they want democracy. According to the last CNN News poll taken in 2006, 67 per cent of Americans, nation-wide, oppose the war in Iraq, and only 11 per cent favoured the plan of sending more troops. However, George Bush and the newly elected ‘Democrats,' who are just as republican as their predecessors, are blatantly ignoring the will of the American people and planning to send 20,000 more soldiers to fight in this un-winnable war.
I guess democracy only works when everybody agrees with the ruling class. All attempts of democratization, for the good of the people, have been suppressed by the major governmental powers, whether they claim to be democratic or not. The U.S. has a long history of opposing democracy, and even overthrowing democratic leaders in order to replace them with dictators sympathetic to their interests. Dictatorships have long been a profitable American export. Why are they now attempting to break into the democracy-export business when they have so little experience in it?
If the U.S. would like to stop exporting dictatorships and start exporting democracy around the world, maybe they should learn what democracy is. After all, a good salesman needs to know the product before they attempt to sell it. We all know that George Bush, the drunk-driving, military-deserting, word-fumbling, cowboy-impersonating, buffoon has failed in every business venture he has ever been a part of (other than election-stealing and war-profiteering), and his democracy-export business is not doing that well either. In fact consumer confidence in this new product is at all-time lows and the dictatorship markets are rallying, making significant gains in markets traditionally dominated by democracy.
It is bad enough that the war was based completely and solely on lies, fear and propaganda techniques, but to turn around now after no WMD's were found and say that the war was about bringing democracy to Iraq is absolutely disgusting. All that was brought to Iraq was civil war, poverty, destruction, chaos, and an incredible loss of life. Stop the war now. America; democracy through regime change is possible, but it starts at home.
Descend on Washington to protest for democracy and to end the war in Iraq Sat. Jan. 27.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Today, the illusion of democracy is greater than ever. There are only about ten countries in the world that do not claim to be democratic. Even countries such as North Korea, China, Colombia, Haiti, and virtually the whole continent of Africa claim to be democratic. But most people are not fools; they understand the difference between the claim and reality. North Koreans are quite aware of the fact that they live in a one-party dictatorship even though they live in a country called the “Democratic People's Republic of Korea.” Many Americans already know that they do not live in a democracy. They know that the two-party system is a fraud, and that Republocrats and Demublicans are controlled by the same elite. This is why there is such low voter turnout in the United States (U.S.).
But don't confuse low voter turnout with apathy, the people are angry. The people are speaking out and want change. In fact, they want democracy. According to the last CNN News poll taken in 2006, 67 per cent of Americans, nation-wide, oppose the war in Iraq, and only 11 per cent favoured the plan of sending more troops. However, George Bush and the newly elected ‘Democrats,' who are just as republican as their predecessors, are blatantly ignoring the will of the American people and planning to send 20,000 more soldiers to fight in this un-winnable war.
I guess democracy only works when everybody agrees with the ruling class. All attempts of democratization, for the good of the people, have been suppressed by the major governmental powers, whether they claim to be democratic or not. The U.S. has a long history of opposing democracy, and even overthrowing democratic leaders in order to replace them with dictators sympathetic to their interests. Dictatorships have long been a profitable American export. Why are they now attempting to break into the democracy-export business when they have so little experience in it?
If the U.S. would like to stop exporting dictatorships and start exporting democracy around the world, maybe they should learn what democracy is. After all, a good salesman needs to know the product before they attempt to sell it. We all know that George Bush, the drunk-driving, military-deserting, word-fumbling, cowboy-impersonating, buffoon has failed in every business venture he has ever been a part of (other than election-stealing and war-profiteering), and his democracy-export business is not doing that well either. In fact consumer confidence in this new product is at all-time lows and the dictatorship markets are rallying, making significant gains in markets traditionally dominated by democracy.
It is bad enough that the war was based completely and solely on lies, fear and propaganda techniques, but to turn around now after no WMD's were found and say that the war was about bringing democracy to Iraq is absolutely disgusting. All that was brought to Iraq was civil war, poverty, destruction, chaos, and an incredible loss of life. Stop the war now. America; democracy through regime change is possible, but it starts at home.
Descend on Washington to protest for democracy and to end the war in Iraq Sat. Jan. 27.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
