President Abraham Lincoln spoke at 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 AFPAK policy going on with best of minds of Present administration.But the 17,000 troops surge is happening even before the review is over and approved by the President
Candidate Obama promised to bring American troops from Iraq, a war which he voted against as senator and a war which he promised to close by bringing all the American troops before Xmas, later extended to 16 months.Today we hear the President has extended it further to 2011, a date originally promised by Bush. Not only that a number of 50,000 out of the present 1,42000 troops will remain may be indefinitely.The American people voted for Obama over Macain because they thought MaCain is going to be a Bush third term.But suddenly we find Obama Presidency is turning out to be almost Bush third term compared to the campaign promises.
What we find is that 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 donot want to be more influenced by general public which may NOT BE ADEQUATELY INFORMED about specialized need of the American nation.This can be high finance,national security issues, but can be slowly expanded to include even health care,education, and time taken to sign the bills after it was 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 is general Indian populace about various issues affecting them like 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,AFPAK, but actually they are getting Bush III.I can say with a smirk that it is not Indian population alone are taken for a ride but also the population of America, the oldest democracy in the world.
SPECIAL INTERESTS RUN THE COUNTRIES EVEN IN DEMOCRACIES.
