United States an example of how democracy works
I’VE BEEN interested to read that the American presidency is already preparing to ease the next incumbent into the White House as smoothly as possible. Even if it’s Donald Trump. There are still some months before the actual elections, but already teams of officials are briefing likely presidential candidates about how to run the US. When a new president takes over the country, there are some 40 000 political posts that have to be filled. Regular meetings with heads of departments must be held, diplomats have to be met and briefed as to how the new president will regard them. The army, the space agency, the international network, loans to foreign countries… all these are factors the president has to know about.
Quietly in the background, teams of experienced people are telling Trump’s people – and probably Hillary Clinton’s people as well – just how everything works. Obviously there are secrets to be passed on too; delicate matters between countries, fragile agreements, pacts and treaties that are not usually revealed to the public. All this needs to be handed over without a hitch. You couldn’t expect a new president to know the ropes any more than you could expect a skate-boarder to fly a Boeing 737.
And even though President Barack Obama openly dislikes and distrusts Trump – and the feeling is mutual – he will have to hand over the reins if the election goes that way.
This is a good example of how real democracy works, I think. Personal feelings shouldn’t play a large part in the running of a country. When you are elected you agree to serve the people. If the people want something, it’s up to you to provide that, whether you agree with it or not.
It must be very galling to Obama to be showing Trump’s people around and saying; “This is how you contact the top officials in Russia. Here’s the key to the presidential liquor cabinet and this is the man who commands the American Air Force if you need him.” Meanwhile he’s probably thinking: “I can’t believe this loud-mouthed moron will be discussing cultural ties with the French ambassador.” It’s interesting to watch real democracy at work. Once you have agreed to live by a set of rules called the constitution, you have to stick to them.
All too often we have seen these rules being broken in less than democratic countries. Several leaders have simply refused to hand over. They’ve grabbed power for themselves rather than handing it to their people. Being boss is just too much fun. Let’s hope more countries follow the US’s civilised democracy.
Last Laugh
A fitness fanatic was bragging to his couch potato pal. “Man, it’s amazing what a high I get when I run a marathon. After the first 10 kilometres I feel I’m going to die. I can hardly breathe and my legs hurt, then I force myself on and pretty soon I hardly feel any pain. It’s as if I’m on a sort of adrenalin high.”
His friend took a drag at his cigarette and said: “I know exactly what you mean. I get the same feeling climbing up my stairs.”