Politics

Throughout history, world powers have all suffered the same fate: extinction. Whether caused by corruption, revolution, enlightenment of the “little” people, new technology or simply through exhaustion, empires have disappeared and been replaced by new candidates. Sometimes, the empire lasted for only a couple of decades (nothing really compared to others) and sometimes they lasted for centuries, i.e. the Romans.

America replaced England as the new world power at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Our entry in WWI signalled to other strong nations that we were there to stay. “Don’t mess with the U.S.” was a clear message that Japan ignored 20 some years later (Though Adm. Yamamoto knew the consequences). The Soviet Union made a valiant effort during 70 years to play with the big boys, but was struck down by its own economic failures. France, under the Gaulle, made a vain attempt at regaining the glory of Charlemagne (who was really more German than French).

Today, we are faced with an emerging “monster”, China. After centuries of humiliations by the West, China is standing proudly and announcing its desire to be treated as an equal. America will only survive as a significant power if it comes to terms with the new World Order. We must respect Russia and China as equal partners in the fight against terrorism  fueled by Muslim extremists. Our policy of accepting thousands of new immigrants every year is the fresh blood that we need to sustain our democracy and avoid falling into complacency and continue the fight against  the cancer of  political  corruption.

The new Primer Minister of Russia, Putin, still holds the remote that controls his country’s international politics. A small man in stature, he nevertheless impresses those who come in contact with him with an aura of inner power.

I don’t see him as a threat to the U.S. as he has to carefully balance his decisions to avoid angering Muslims on his borders, while at the same time showing Russia’s military might and resolve to the followers of Allah who have terrorist plans against the ex-Soviet Union. After all, Russia tried to subjugate Afghanistan not long ago with disastrous results. They don’t want Osama Bin Laden messing with their Muslim citizens any more than we do.

But Russia want to play an important role in the modern world and resents American interference and arrogance. Our policy should be one of recognition and understanding without trying to establish military bases near the Russian border (Patriot missiles).

Our Next President

Does anybody in America doubt that the next President will be Black and a Democrat? Barring a tragedy, i.e. a successful attempt on Barack Obama’s life, the White House will have to prepare for some serious changes.

Let’s face the facts:

1)                           The economy is in ruins, thanks in great part to the hawkish cabinet set up by both George Bushes.

2)                           Gas prices have reached new record heights, and guess who benefits the most (Hint: oil companies and their affiliates, such as Cheney-Halliburton)

3)                           Obama is believable when he promises changes, although most people seem to forget that our system is made of checks-and-balances. He will therefore have to fight Congress and its affiliate companies (hint: lobbies).

4)                           The war (Need I say more?)

5)                           Global Warming (Need I say more Al?)

6)                              Foreign Policy (Need I say more Messrs. Ahmadinejad and Kim Sung Il? )

7)                           Hillary Clinton carries heavy baggage called Bill. Why she did not divorce him immediately after Monicagate smacks of opportunism. Who wants Bill chasing interns in the White House at 3 o’clock in the morning?

                           McCain smells too much of Bush continuity and his age is certainly a big factor.

9)                           High food prices and housing market hit the people who will decide the vote: the middle class. You think they want change?

10)                      We would really like, after so many years, somebody with a high I.Q. in the Oval Office.

Living on the border with Mexico convinced me that the rest of the country has no idea what’s going on with our Mexican friends. The national media gets into a frenzy every time a cop is assassinated south of the border, as if this tragedy only happened to them. They vilify our neighbors for their corruption, while we gleefully watch as a senator is caught being naughty in a public restroom. Yes, they have drug lords and corrupt cops; so who is buying the dope? Who is the best customer? The U.S. of course. But Lou Dobbs only sees half the picture on CNN. I’d love to take him on a trip to Mexico and show him the millions of hospitable and hard-working citizens who only want a chance to live peacefully.

Meanwhile, I must pursue this blog to try and even the playing field. My Mexican-American students will be the first applaud the effort!

We must learn to accept different cultures, but only up to a point. If women are treated as animals, as we have seen in some Muslim countries, then it is our duty to denounce their atavistic customs. If employing children in factories is the norm in an Asian country, then we must denounce it and boycott whatever product they are making. If we don’t, we become accomplices, we partake in the injustice committed. Only by using the Internet’s awesome capabilities will we be able to expose abuse by governments, by big business and by individuals, just as courageous Chinese and Cuban citizens are telling the world about the atrocities committed in their communist totalitarian countries.