also posted at www.modernprogressivekhmer.blogspot.com The price of government bailed out of Wall Street - $700 billion; a record fund raising between Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain – over $684 million; the Dow Jones index drops for the first time in years- below 9000 points; the price tag for Gov. Palin war drops for the campaign - $150,000.00; and seeing democracy in action - PRICELESS!!!
Recent economic and political developments in the U.S. provide ample priceless moments for democracy enthusiasts. As a Cambodian American who longs to see democracy flourishes in Cambodia, I am looking for learnable moments. Here are a few precious events that highlight the beauty of American democracy and its politics. The system of checks and balances was truly at play when the U.S. tried to deal with the liquidity crisis. As the head of the executive branch, President George W. Bush could not demand or order but had to work extremely hard with Congress to approve the bailout. When the House of Representative failed to muster enough votes to pass the bill, the president was completely powerless. Otherwise, he is one of the most powerful men on the face of the free world. It took Congress twice to pass the bill. Senator Ted Stevens, the longest serving senator from Alaska was indicted for a crime and now is standing a trial for corruption charges. He is facing a seven-count indictment charges for making false statement by not disclosing gifts and services more than $250,000 from VECO Corp. that violated “the Federal Ethics in Government Act requires all senators to file financial disclosure statements detailing their transactions during the previous calendar year, including the disclosure of gifts above a specified value and all liabilities greater than $10,000.” After leveling charges and counter charges against each other in one of the most exciting and contentious elections, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. McCain took time off from their busy schedules to attend Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. They spent a wonderful evening ridiculed and poked fun of themselves and each other. Sen. Obama noted the significant of the event, “I think it is a tribute to American democracy that with two weeks left and a hard fought election, the two of us could come together, and sit down at the same dinner table without preconditions.’’ Sen. McCain called Sen. Obama “an impressive follow” and wished his opponent “well.” Here I am in America witnessing democracy in action. The mere fact that simple ideas such as checks and balances, no one is above the law, and civility in politics continues to reinforces American democracy and it politics makes it the most envious system in the world. I certainly hope that we, Cambodians, learn a thing or two from these priceless moments. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/camdisc Learn more - http://www.cambodia.org -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
