Idealistic Democracy

Our current American political “us or them” attitude has got us into another potentially troublesome spot with our neighbors to the south.

Sr. Morales has aligned himself hard and fast to Fidel Castro and that can only mean trouble if our politicians continue in their destructive and warlike attitude to any political theories that differ from the globe-gobbling and capitalistic brand of “politics” North America and other world leaders currently espouse.

The poor don’t stand a chance—unless enough of the world’s poor band together to counter the capitalistic devouring of the earth and her resources at the expense of the poorest citizens of this planet, and we may be seeing the beginnings of the global gathering of the poor in the fusion of Cuban and Bolivian politics.

With the backing of Castro, Morales’ political rout of capitalistic attempts to interfere with the democratic process in Bolivia gains a significant victory for the leaders of this world who are on the side of the people. Call it ‘communism’. Call it ‘socialism’.

This writer is not sufficiently versed in the philosophies of either political system to know the difference, however, this writer recognizes the battle that faces our planet: the haves against the have-nots—the rich v. the poor—future resources for later generations or global failure to sustain life.

Socialism and communism favor developing countries and the poorest of our citizens, historically and idealistically speaking.

What is needed (again, idealistically) is a melding of all political systems which ultimately favor saving what is left of our planet, and which defeat and control the seemingly uncontrollably destructive dénouement in the current leaders’ book of plans for Planet Earth and Her People.

Perhaps Democracy as envisioned by the founders of The United States of America rather than democracy as envisioned by greed and machination is the answer.
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New Bolivian leader visits Cuba

Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales has arrived in Cuba on his first foreign trip since a sweeping election victory earlier this month.

Mr Morales was warmly welcomed by Cuban President Fidel Castro, who said his poll win "had shaken the world".

Mr Morales is set to become Bolivia's first indigenous president next month.
An admirer of Mr Castro, he described his visit to see him as "a meeting between two generations of fighters for dignity and independence".

The Cuban leader laid on a ceremonial welcome for Mr Morales, sending his personal jet to bring him to Havana.

Referring to the recent rise of left and centre-left politicians in Latin America, Mr Castro said: "It appears the map is changing, and we need to be reflective, to observe well and to be informed."

'US nightmare'

An official Cuban government statement said Mr Morales' visit was "in keeping with the historic and profound relations of brotherhood and solidarity between the Bolivian and Cuban people".

Mr Morales will also visit a number of other countries including Brazil, China and South Africa - but not the US - ahead of his inauguration next month.

Earlier this week, Mr Morales gave an interview to the Arabic TV station al-Jazeera in which he accused President George Bush of practising terrorism in Iraq.

He also said the White House had run a dirty campaign to try to stop him winning office.
US officials have said they will judge Mr Morales by his actions, not his words.

But correspondents say there is no doubt Washington is concerned about a politician who has described himself as a "nightmare for the US".

Following his election earlier this month, Mr Morales said he would join what he called President Castro's anti-imperialist struggle.

Mr Morales was elected president with nearly 54% of the vote, the biggest support for any candidate since democracy was restored in Bolivia in the 1980s.

Story from BBC NEWS: 2005/12/31 03:18:52 GMT© BBC MMVI