President Obama has done a good job in handling America's role in the matter of Egypt, Libya, Syria and the Middle East generally......What has NOT been done by the Adminisitration to the extent that it should be is to emphasize the philosophical bases for the revolts in these countries. The people of Libya and Syria must be told, and the US. President is the one person who should do it, that the war they are fighting is not just about removing a dictator but rather is one that is based on principles of liberty and freedom that transcend generations, governments, religions and indeed are rights that belong to the citizens of those countries as human kind.
As Americans we have an obligation to speak out about freedom as the very first of the revolutionary democracies. It is true that a motivation is to win the hearts of the young people fighting on the streets in freedom, but it is also an obligation that is born from America's own beginnings.
Mr. President to the people of the Middle East perhaps we say:
"When we survey the wretched condition of man, under the monarchical and hereditary systems of Government, dragged from his home by one power, or driven by another, and impoverished by taxes more than by enemies, it becomes evident that those systems are bad, and that a general revolution in the principle and construction of Governments is necessary.
What is government more than the management of the affairs of a Nation? It is not, and from its nature cannot be, the property of any particular man or family, but of the whole community, at whose expense it is supported; and though by force and contrivance it has been usurped into an inheritance, the usurpation cannot alter the right of things. Sovereignty, as a matter of right, appertains to the Nation only, and not to any individual; and a Nation has at all times an inherent indefeasible right to abolish any form of Government it finds inconvenient, and to establish such as accords with its interest, disposition and happiness. The romantic and barbarous distinction of men into Kings and subjects, though it may suit the condition of courtiers, cannot that of citizens; and is exploded by the principle upon which Governments are now founded. Every citizen is a member of the Sovereignty, and, as such, can acknowledge no personal subjection; and his obedience can be only to the laws.
Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man, 1791
The quality of life and security for the citizens has been largely restored and we are a large part of why that has happened.
Posted by: Dominic Caraccilo | 08/30/2011 at 01:26 PM
i have been looking for this information for a while, thanks
Posted by: winter coats | 09/29/2011 at 04:14 AM