Not enlightened people, but most of the third world prefer the mindless security of a dictator as you describe. Well, I think he is wrong. People have to desire democracy from within and be willing to stand up and fight for it. Iraq is not there yet or 25,000 Baathists would not have been able to tyranize 26 million Itaqis. If the Iraqi people had revolted against Saddam's tyranny like they have revolted against our attempts to impose democracy, this war would have never happened, nor the last one. The Palestinian situation should be a lesson on what will happen in Iraq. When the Palestinians got the chance to vote democratically they immediately elected Hamas! Islamic strongmen like King Abdullah in Saudi, Mushariff in Pakistan, Mubarack in Egypt, and many others have decided to be allies with the US. If the people of those countries get to vote democraticaly, they will become anti-American instantly. Democracy is not always our friend in the strange societies of the Middle East. As soon as they are able, Iraq will probably elect Muqtada al Sadr and we will have a second fanatic, anti-American Shiite leader in the Gulf. Rather than a failed attempt to impose a Jeffersonian democracy in Iraq, we might be better off trying to engineer the ascent of a pro-American strongman to take charge.
Like the Shah of Iran? That worked for a while, till they ran him out and now they're PO'ed at us for saddling them with a torture freak for a leader. By the way Red, I took your last remark as sarcastic, but was just pointing out we tried it and it didn't work too well last time.
I disagree with this statement especially prefer for a few different reasons. Most third world countries have only known oppression so its what comes naturally. They are scared to death to show opposition to their leaders. Examples, Iraq under Sadaam, Iran at its present, China, Cuba, Soviet Union past, North Korea, the list goes on and on. When you oppress people with force they are too scared to do anything. It is some all have known also. Look at what happened when some rose up to oppose government in China! Iraqis got out and voted, they took a bigger risk than Ameircans because they risked their lives. I think this also proves its possible. Iraq or Iran was once a democracy proving that it is possbile. I don't think you give the people of any of these countries any credit. You have to also take into account that these people's point of view is different than ours since they don't live here. I think individuals would want freedoms to vote, religion, etc but I don't think its America's job to save the world. If you grew up in Iraq being about 50 years old today you wouldn't know how good you could have it until today. Some parts of Iraq people have it darn good today despite what the enemy says in this country being news media and democrats.
Of course, it has worked extremely well in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Dubai, Bahrain, Brunei, Oman, and about a dozen other countries that are led by a Western-oriented, western-supported dictator who is ruling an anti-western population.
Iraq and Iran have never been democracies. Never. Iran has elections, but the Theocracy of the ayatollahs decide who is going to run.
