United States rushes elections

Breeze Perspectives

When the election results are known in a few days, the sovereign nation of Iraq will usher in a new era of freedom and prosperity. Half a century of bloodshed, turmoil and tyranny will fade away under the righteous authority of democracy. And as Iraq emerges from the ashes of destruction, standing by her like a guiding father will be the United States of America. This rebirth will send to other Middle Eastern nations the message that American democracy is best for everyone. Iraq will rise as an international power, and the United States will be right by her side, advising on matters concerning national security, economic prosperity and oil.

This picture is an all-too-perfect dream for the war hawks in the White House who misled the American people into going to war. It would be sweet reconciliation for the unnecessary deaths of nearly 1,500 U.S. soldiers who gave their lives because men in high places with big goals asked it of them. But the sad, unfortunate truth is that this picture of a noble and worthy cause is merely a dream.

While it is exciting to see Iraqis come to the polls to vote, the reality is that they are being rushed unnecessarily into a form of democracy that is not their own but is tainted by American, Iranian and other foreign influences. Fault lies not with the Iraqi people who braved bombs and RPGs to cast their votes, but with the American leaders who asked it of them to further their own agendas.

At first glance, it may seem that the only choice is to push on and not allow the insurgents to stall the democratic process, but the simple truth is that Iraq is not ready. We are giving Iraqis elections at a time when we can’t even give them electricity or water or even food. They are suffering a fuel crisis because most of their oil reserves are in the hands of foreign contractors. The infrastructure crumbles more and more every day and the killing continues, but the American people want to believe the mission is progressing. They want to believe they are sending their sons and daughters to fight for a worthy cause. And so the White House helps them believe it by promising to create a democratic and independent Iraq without delay.

Groups from Sunni and Shiite populations boycotted the election. Their reason was simple. They believe there can be no legitimate and truly democratic election as long as the U.S. occupation continues. How could anyone suggest that the United States might be secretly playing a part in an election? Maybe it’s because the United States has a notorious history of doing just that. Or maybe it’s because according to Time magazine, the Bush Administration had a plan to covertly influence the election by aiding favorable candidates. Without pressure from Congress, that plan would have been carried out.

Who might the United States want to see leading Iraq? Current interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi sounds like a good choice. Allawi has spent much of his life as a paid intelligence agent and has a history of working with CIA and British Intelligence officials. He is rumored to have even dealt with accused terrorists by killing them himself as an example of the hard line approach he expects from his followers. Sounds like our guy.

The anarchy in Iraq will not subside. Radical leaders will take to the streets and gain supporters by offering something that no U.S. politician or Iraqi puppet can offer — a nation free from foreign influence, a nation free to determine its own fate.

Patrick Callahan is an undeclared freshman.