Recent world events have left me with some serious questions about Pres. Obama's commitment to freedom and democratic principles. Historically, our nation, beyond party affiliations, has supported democratic movements anywhere in the world. There is always turmoil in some part of the world or other, but Americans have (or at least used to) a deeply held belief that our system of governance, with all its warts and flaws, it still the best the world has ever seen. Therefore, as a a nation, we have supported those people striving to bring democratic rule to their nations.
That struggle is visibly taking place at the moment both in Iran and Honduras. Iran, with its current leadership and political system is one of the greatest threats the world faces right now. A nuclear Iran will change the face of the global political landscape forever. But we can't just go in, take over and say, "No it's time for a change." Typically, regimes like those in Iran will force the world's hand at a point when we can no longer sit idly by. Ironically, the change needed in Iran is budding from the inside. The desire for revolution in Iran right now is both amazing and awe-inspiring. The people in Iran are much better educated, younger and more prosperous than almost all of their neighbors. That they have struggled so long under this kind of dictatorial society is surprising. The uprising is not. The people voted in a farcical election and know it. They are tired of not having their voices heard. They do not like Ahmadinejad, they do not like the Shahs. They are fighting back, knowing that they will be imprisoned, beaten, gassed, tortured or possibly killed. I find that inspiring. At a time when they are willing to risk the utmost, our President is not even willing to give them a word of encouragement. His greatest diplomatic move, could be supporting the Iranian people in achieving a true democratic government. But he won't. I can't pretend to understand why. I have some suspicions, but all of them lead me back to the same thing. Mr. President, do you believe in freedom or not? I am forced to remember our own Revolutionary War and even though I'm loathe to admit it, we couldn't have done it without France. Our revolutionary spirit alone was not enough to get it done, we needed both France's support and their money. The Iranian people cannot do it alone and we should be the first nation standing shoulder to shoulder with them in any way feasable. Even France and Germany, yes that France and that Germany, have taken a stronger stance in support of the Iranian people than our own government. The silence from Washington is deafening.
Honduras. They already have a democracy. But their cool neighbor to the south, the Looney Toon, Hugo Chavez is fomenting trouble everywhere he can. He is buddying up to the Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya. The Honduran people have already lived through plenty of chaos and corruption. But they now have a democratic government with term limits for their president. Zelaya, decided to have a "non-binding referendum" to feel out the people about changing term limits, so he could be president longer. This referendum was to use ballots paid for and printed by Hugo Chavez and Venezuela. The people, the military and the supreme court of Honduras said, "Hell, no." (Pardon the French.) So they threw the bum out. Now, I agree that it raises some issues about the rule of law and the fact the Zelaya was a duly elected official. But the Hondurans could see the handwriting on the wall. Why can't we? They don't want to go down the dictatorship road and have Zelaya permanently installed as Chavez' puppet. Again, the response from Washington is incredible. They're labeling it a coup and roundly criticizing the overthrow of Zelaya without even discussing the unique circumstances. This isn't simply a case of the military deciding to take over the country, it's about Honduras preserving what they have. From a purely self-interested stand-point Obama's position is baffling. Would he rather have a bunch of Hugo Chavez's governing in Central and South America or functioning democracies? Again, I ask, Mr. President, what exactly is your commitment to freedom and democracy?
If you take a step back and look at Obama's "reluctant" takeover of the auto industry, the banking industry, the mortgage industry, executive pay and now the utilities through cap and trade and then medical care, the scariest question I can think of is, "What is your commitment to freedom, Mr. President?"
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