Democracy needs a strong Chief Executive

Legislators and Law Makers design a democracy by writing a constitution and then refining it from time to time. By inclination they are reluctant to give any real power to the executive. It is up to the head of the executive (President or the Prime Minister) branch to seize the necessary powers and then use them when necessary. The case in point is the United States of America and its executive branch. No such powers were given to the President of the United States under their constitution. It was the personal leadership of George Washington and then Andrew Jackson that resulted in a strong federal government. There were five American Presidents between Washington and Jackson who exercised limited executive powers. These ware John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe and John Quincy Adams. All five contributed a lot to their country but never used the executive powers like Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt or George W Bush.

When 9/11 happened in 2001, George W Bush and his administration scared the shit out of congress! The Republicans had the majority in both houses of congress but even the Democrats were willing to jump from the cliff. He not only launched two major wars but was successful in creating a whole new federal agency like ‘Homeland Security’. Bush authorized the establishment of Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp and even suspended the privacy rights of the US Citizens. It was kind of a State of Emergency imposed by the executive branch. Congress fretted and fumed but did very little to curb his powers. In return, he guaranteed the safety of the people of US here at home. Not a single act of terrorism was committed on the soil of United States since 9/11, 2001. How many leaders around the world can boast of such an achievement? You may agree or disagree with the methodology but in a weird way he fulfilled his responsibilities as the Head of the State. Just THINK about it!

George Bush is not the only problem…

…US Congress appears to be a bigger problem. There seems to be no national consensus on anything. Congress has a very different perception of the world as compared to the Executive Branch. Congress failed the country when it really mattered. US Congress capitulated to the administration, when the war against Iraq was to be authorized. A majority of 77 Senators voted for the resolution on October 11, 2002, without sufficient due-diligence. These elected representatives got scared after the 9-11 attacks and did not have the political will to take their time and think of the consequences. What is the guarantee that they will not make the same mistake again? Next time probably failing to act! There are very few people in the Senate, who have the caliber of Senators Richard Lugar or Senator Joseph Biden. Even these two failed to stand up to the administration and ask some tough questions.

The biggest concern is the American Media. It is not so much that the print media has let us down, but the more dangerous and much popular TV/cable Media, that should be a cause of great concern. Look around all the networks, from CNN to NBC, all the way to Fox News, CBS, ABC and others. None have a voice of authority and the intellect to honestly inform people. You have Brit Hume, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Shepard Smith and Greta Van Susteren at Fox News, touting the Republican propaganda on the right. The only exception being Neil Cavuto, but then he is not political. On the flip side we have Tom Brokaw, Late Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, Brian Williams, Keith Obermann, John Seigenthaler, Dan Abrams, Lester Holt, David Gregory, Joe Scarborough, Matt Lauer, Andrea Mitchell and many more at NBC Networks, peddling their Liberal-Agenda and pretending to be even-handed. It is a sad situation. CNN is no better. Where do we go for some honest reporting?

Indo-US bilateral negotiations are absolutely critical…

United States of America and India are two very difficult democracies. Both are governed by strong legislative bodies and the executive branch in either country can not guarantee a deal, without the consent and approval of their respective Congress and the Parliament. On top of that a free and unrestrained media in both countries, makes the job nearly impossible. The case in point is the floundering ‘Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Deal’, rejected by the Indian Parliament. When the “Hyde Act” was approved by the US Congress in 2006, it was presumed in the United States by both, Republicans and Democrats, that this generous gift to India would be received with much gratitude and appreciation by the people of India and therefore the Indian Parliament. Instead, the people in India were so shocked and hurt by the theatrics of the likes of Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Edward Markey, that any chances of the deal going through the parliament in India were next to impossible. The point I am trying to make is that in this ‘Global Environment’, people on the other side of the world are watching you. CNN is watched in India by a large section of opinion makers. When Barbara Boxer or Ed Markey wags a finger and admonishes a billion Indians, it is not appreciated at all by the Indians or anybody around the world. They may both disagree with the merits of the deal, that is fine. But no body enjoys the theater in the US congress, when it concerns their country. The US House of Representatives and the US senate would be much better off if they just reflect on their postures in front of the cameras, that are being seen around the world.