Solving the Democracy Problem

Mary at NakedFurniture linked to this: Will the 2004 Election Be Called Off? Why Three Out of Four Experts Predict a Terrorist Attack by November - Maureen Farrell at BuzzFlash.com. It is frightening enough, and worth reading (thanks Mary). Then it got me thinking...

The title above refers to something I heard Alberto Fujimori say back when he was "President" of Peru. Fujimori, like Bush, was more than willing to bend or break the law when it suited him. I also noticed a certain slickness during this particular interview: when presented with a question he found uncomfortable, Alberto thickened his accent and seemed to deliberately mangle his syntax, whereupon the interviewer (I forget who--it could've been Koppel or a Nightline sub, or maybe it was CNN) would move on to less upsetting topics.

However, in a wonderful Freudian moment, Fujimori claimed that he had "solved the democracy problem in Peru" when he was asked about the suspension of various laws. How true. If I remember right, this led to a commercial break--even more fitting.

Of course, the midnight hour stikes for all dictators, and Fujimori was forced to flee the country he ruled with an iron fist after a bribery scandal erupted involving a trusted aide. He now lives as an exile in Japan.

Thinking about the Farrell article, and recalling the Fujimori statement, got me to consider a few things that Bush has taught us in regards to solving the democracy problem right here. By no means a complete list, here are some observations.

Things I've Learned From The Bush Administration

It is perfectly acceptable to lie in order to further policy goals. More lies here and here. A corollary is the change-the-subject ruse: Ask about the WMD lie, and they'll reply with a question: "Aren't we better off without Saddam controlling Iraq?"

It is perfectly acceptable to play politics with people's lives. See Valerie Plame.

Matters of vital national security are less important than political perception. Why is Bush acting like a defendant in regards to 9/11?

Preemptive war, which NEVER was a policy of the US, is ok (although for years we've HAD a nuclear first strike policy. Fortunately, we haven't actually used nuclear weapons since World War II).

It is perfectly acceptable to steal.

It's ok to cheat in business, as long as you don't get caught. Hell, it's ok even if you DO get caught.

A moron (and a miserable failure) in spite of a virtually unlimited bankroll, can't get elected president, but that won't keep him from assuming office.