Why Democracy in the Mid East is Dangerous for USA

[deacon blues]

Democracies represent the interests of their citizens. Its illogical to assume that Mid East nations will be allied with us or our allies should their respective citizens gain control through majority rule. They have minds of their own that are internally generated and are preoccupied with their own interests and affairs. It is more likely based on history and religious dogma that average Arab/Muslim citizens of Mid East countries are not sympathetic to the US or Israel or the West in general.
Our idea of democracy was birthed in Judeo-Christian ethics and morals. Islam does not possess such underpinnings.

Take a look at recent history. The most recent moves toward democracy in the Mid East has turned to our disadvantage:

* 2006 - Palestinian elections brought Hamas, a terrorist organization, to power in Gaza. We can be certain they will never be a firm friend of the US or Israel. In fact that don't recognize Israel's right to exist and their charter calls for the eradication of Israel.

* Lebanon - a Hezbollah-backed candidate was appointed prime minister last month. Hezbollah gained its influence through elections in 2009. Hezbollah, another terrorist organization that neither likes us nor Israel.

* Turkey - considered the most democratic Islamic nation, has a duly elected Prime Minister is an Islamist. He has tried to block economic sanctions against Iran, declared Israel to be state sponsor of terrorism and seems to be detaching Turkey from its traditional Western allies.

Now Egypt. It remains to be seen what will happen, but there are indications by some officials that Egypt might be less helpful than it was in the past when it comes to counterterrorism, Gaza and Iran. As we saw this week they changed 30 years of precident by allowing Iranian war vessels through the Suez.

The price for Egyptian democracy will most likely be a loss of US influence in the region. I say it is too steep a price to pay. Obama and other administrations should have and could have pressured the leaders of Arab nations to be kinder and gentler to their citizens. They could've ruled with a strong hand yet taken care of the poor and working classes. The corruption at the top and our negligence toward it has come at a cost. Now it seems we will be less influential. Not good. Not good for us, the West, Israel or the prospects of peace around the world.

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Democracies represent the interests of their citizens. Its illogical to assume that Mid East nations will be allied with us or our allies should their respective citizens gain control through majority rule. They have minds of their own that are internally generated and are preoccupied with their own interests and affairs. It is more likely based on history and religious dogma that average Arab/Muslim citizens of Mid East countries are not sympathetic to the US or Israel or the West in general.
Our idea of democracy was birthed in Judeo-Christian ethics and morals. Islam does not possess such underpinnings.

Take a look at recent history. The most recent moves toward democracy in the Mid East has turned to our disadvantage:

* 2006 - Palestinian elections brought Hamas, a terrorist organization, to power in Gaza. We can be certain they will never be a firm friend of the US or Israel. In fact that don't recognize Israel's right to exist and their charter calls for the eradication of Israel.

* Lebanon - a Hezbollah-backed candidate was appointed prime minister last month. Hezbollah gained its influence through elections in 2009. Hezbollah, another terrorist organization that neither likes us nor Israel.

* Turkey - considered the most democratic Islamic nation, has a duly elected Prime Minister is an Islamist. He has tried to block economic sanctions against Iran, declared Israel to be state sponsor of terrorism and seems to be detaching Turkey from its traditional Western allies.

Now Egypt. It remains to be seen what will happen, but there are indications by some officials that Egypt might be less helpful than it was in the past when it comes to counterterrorism, Gaza and Iran. As we saw this week they changed 30 years of precident by allowing Iranian war vessels through the Suez.

The price for Egyptian democracy will most likely be a loss of US influence in the region. I say it is too steep a price to pay. Obama and other administrations should have and could have pressured the leaders of Arab nations to be kinder and gentler to their citizens. They could've ruled with a strong hand yet taken care of the poor and working classes. The corruption at the top and our negligence toward it has come at a cost. Now it seems we will be less influential. Not good. Not good for us, the West, Israel or the prospects of peace around the world.

So...democracy is the preferred form of government except when it conflicts with US interests?

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Twisp

So...democracy is the preferred form of government except when it conflicts with US interests?

T - the reason we should be concerned about Muslim democracies in the Middle East has nothing to do with a preferred form of government.
The reason we need to be concerned is that the democracy/republic form of government is the best one for representing the wishes of the people.
The problem with this is that the will of the vast majority of people in the Middle East is that Israel should be destroyed.
Their secondary desire is that we should be destroyed.
That is the problem.

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

T - the reason we should be concerned about Muslim democracies in the Middle East has nothing to do with a preferred form of government.
The reason we need to be concerned is that the democracy/republic form of government is the best one for representing the wishes of the people.
The problem with this is that the will of the vast majority of people in the Middle East is that Israel should be destroyed.
Their secondary desire is that we should be destroyed.
That is the problem.

But who are we to not want other countries to have the same say in their government as we do in ours?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Twisp

But who are we to not want other countries to have the same say in their government as we do in ours?

You're on it today Twisp.

[Socialite]

The issue isn't forms of government, a hateful dictator can pose just as much a threat. I would think a democracy, that allows room for dissenting opinion, would be more helpful for irrational governmental decisions.

But that's just me...

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Socialite

The issue isn't forms of government, a hateful dictator can pose just as much a threat. I would think a democracy, that allows room for dissenting opinion, would be more helpful for irrational governmental decisions.

But that's just me...

It's not just democracy. We have a constitution promising freedom of thought and expression. Even in so called democracies there they do not protect religious freedoms and choices like we do here

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

It's not just democracy. We have a constitution promising freedom of thought and expression. Even in so called democracies there they do not protect religious freedoms and choices like we do here

Well, when we say "democracy" we are assuming that democracy is protected with some sort of manifesto, contract, constitution.

[aegsm76]

I frankly do not care what form of government another country chooses.
That is their choice.
The older I get, the more I find myself subscribing to the Ron Paul isolationist viewpoint.

[Twisp]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

I frankly do not care what form of government another country chooses.
That is their choice.
The older I get, the more I find myself subscribing to the Ron Paul isolationist viewpoint.

Ron Paul isn't an isolationist. He is more towards non-intervention.