Thursday, October 18, 2007

"Representative Democracy"

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/a-military-doctor-in-iraq-and-baby-blue/#comments


Chithra,

The contemporary American identity has evolved during a period of so called “representative democracy” in which the public’s role is practically negligible. Intractable factors controls the political spectrum so there is no connection between the average American sentiment and the politician representing his or her interest. There is a show representing the process, but there is no true process. Americans have lost control of their government which, like many others, protects its own interests using artifice, propaganda and repression. It may be more subtle and sophisticated than the average autocracy, but in practical terms the result is the same. Blaming Americans, the good doctor included, for the actions of their government is akin to blaming a child for its parent’s behaviour.

Jeffrey Sweetbaum

— Posted by Jeffrey Sweetbaum


Hi Jeffrey,
I wanted to respond to your post on “representative democracy” especially since it was specifically addressed to me. I think your comment is extremely important. The issue of representation is one that faces all democracies — Will their eligible voters participate? More important Will their participation make for ETHICAL action by their governments?
My considered opinion is that the U.S.public has got the Govt. they deserve, largely because of 1) voter apathy (see census data on voter participation in the last three presidential elections) 2)failure to engage in *sustained* street struggle against invasion and occupation of sovereign nation-states, but also most importantly because of 3) the predatory and supremacist posture of the U.S. in regard to the rest of the world. Globalization requires a collective interdependence not arbitrary violence by a military-industrial complex that swallows a disproportionate share of the earth’s resources.
Personally I would rather be a war resister and a conscientious objector - I am both — than “serve” even one minute in Iraq, or in another earlier shameful era, Vietnam.
People who don’t know their history are condemned to repeat it — the evidence on this is overwhelming, in the case of the U.S.
Finally, Jeffrey did I praise Dr. C in each of my two previous posts or did I, as you state “blame” him? His life is as precious as any other.

The Iraqi people are the only heroes of this unconscionable, unethical U.S. action.
Best,
Chithra KarunaKaran
http://www.EthicalDemocracy.blogspot.com

— Posted by Chithra KarunaKaran