Why election in US will have a huge impact across globe

THE forthcoming US election seems far away and of little interest to many people on this side of the Atlantic. But it is probably the most important for the Western world since the Cold War days of the 1960s. Dictators and autocrats are feeling strong and exerting their power. The American experiment in democracy, which has served it well for nearly 250 years, appears in danger of failing.

Perhaps we can learn from one of the architects of American democracy. In 1796, General Washington gave his farewell address. In it, he warned that political parties would become potent engines, allowing cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men to subvert the will of the people and usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards those very engines that brought them to power.

Now, 228 years later, Republicans and Democrats are spending more time trying to incriminate and undermine each other than running the country. Vindictive squabbles prevent the proper running of government. The constitution is used as a political weapon, not a guiding light.

Meanwhile, the West’s enemies grow stronger and more unified. American interests are threatened. Autocrats are very pleased to see the most powerful democratic country in the world faltering, unable to lead decisively.

It seems the US has become tired and confused about what it means to govern a democracy.

Again, perhaps today’s politicians should learn from the first president. He warned that party loyalty can make nations weaker; and that fighting each other leads to a spirit of revenge so duties are ignored, jealousies intensify and false alarms spread. Washington said Americans should concentrate on what is best for America, not their party. He passed power willingly to John Adams.

Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the greatest of US presidents, deeply worried about his country being divided by a civil war, echoed the Gospels by insisting that ‘a House divided against itself cannot stand’. It is still very true today.

ROGER FOWNES, by email.

Space balls-up

THE rude expression ‘not know your a*** from your elbow’ needs to be updated for UK space minister Andrew Griffith who wouldn’t know ‘Uranus from your Sun’.

There could be some sympathy for this space cadet [who apparently confused Mars with the Sun] given that Mars and the Sun are both a bit reddish in colour, but the Sun provides energy for this planet, whereas Mars is a dead planet, probably.

If we generalise ministers and their ministries, are there any finance ministers who have gone bankrupt, any transport ministers who have lost their driver’s licence? It’s probably best not to think too much on this idea.

Minister, it’s time to read a bit more on your Mastermind topic, but turn on the lights as Mars doesn’t provide much illumination. Just a few thoughts from a disillusioned science teacher. DENNIS FITZGERALD, Melbourne, Australia.

Let South Africa lead

IN Monday’s Mail, Jim Roche (Letters) is correct. The Shannon situation is the endemic and perpetual problem.

However, we may have found a hero to ease our pain. I suggest South Africa! Having suffered untold mistreatment from former colonisers, she has learned some lessons about the rule of law.

And now with her familiarity with the International Criminal Court in the Hague, we may be able to engage her to peep into where the three million US soldiers went, and how much peace was created.

It seems to me that many of our asylum seekers were uprooted by US bombardments in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Iraq. PETER KENNEDY,

by email.