My Iraq Analogy

I think I referenced this theory in a previous entry, but I think it is worth mentioning again, as it helps define what is going on in Iraq.

The United States of America is almost 236 years old. In that time we had two governments (the first one, Articles of the Confederation, failed and the founding fathers got a do-over and created the US Constitution), a Civil War where one part of the nation seceded, a civil rights movement, a women's liberation movement, a couple of world wars, a border war with Mexico, an industrial revolution, and a technology revolution. Along the way we also had a couple of recessions, a massive depression, some weather catastrophes, some social services implementations, and a Revolution started it all.

Iraq has done all that in eight years. So sure, it's not exactly going to be smooth sailing.

But to their credit, they are figuring it out. They even passed a budget, on time, something we still have yet to do. And theirs even has a surplus. Sure, stuff blows up from time to time-- that's how this part of the world expresses itself. Most of the attacks have some political ties to them, but they are fragmented. And yes, Al Qaeda is still here, but their attacks do nothing but disrupt the day for a short time, and people are so used to it they go about their business shortly after the attack. Sure, there's corruption; one need to look no further than our own political system and Government and see much of the same. Sure, they complain about civil services being inadequate... Under Saddam, no one paid anything for electric, water, medical care, education, or food, and no one paid taxes, so naturally they have high expectations for their government. Saddam pretty much created the welfare state (you could argue we are on the same road).

But every protest, violent event, or IED could be considered another form of Democracy: People holding their Government accountable, one way or another.

Call it growing pains. Iraq certainly has potential. I just hope they keep growing.

See ya.
Ron