When Hurricane Sandy struck east coast, President Obama immediately suspended election campaign, cancelled all prior political or private commitments and was seen steering relief operations, working closely even with states such as NJ led by a Republican Governor. In a democracy, the politicians have to be seen serving the people and making their welfare and securing national interest the primary objective. Nobody is above the law, nor can anybody afford to be seen abusing their powers. This does not mean that there is no corruption in America, but the fact is that if any member of ruling elite is caught in financial impropriety or violating any laws, or abuse of office, he cannot escape accountability.
As compared to that we witnessed, that when parts of Pakistan had natural disasters such as floods etc, our ruling elite, including the President embarked on their useless foreign junkets, visiting their villas abroad, leaving unfortunate millions to face wrath of nature and consequences of a collapsed infrastructure infected with rampant corruption. It was again displayed when hundreds died of Dengue attack in a province and others were ridiculing the CM, instead of being seeing providing relief to the victims of a natural calamity.
The mere holding of elections is not democracy. It is a system through which people elect individuals to act solely as custodians of national exchequer and collective welfare of masses, working strictly in accordance with laws and accountable for all acts and financial transactions to the people and superior judiciary. The American president does not enjoy a blanket immunity for any criminal act, nor abuse of power even during tenure of his presidency. This has been clearly established in the case of President Nixon and again when President Clinton had to face investigation by special prosecutor for perjury in Monica scandal. No Senator or member of House of Representative in USA can dare to ridicule Supreme Court, or even remotely be associated with any activity that is violative of laws or constitution. The founding fathers of US Constitution have clearly stated that democracy is rule of laws, not of men.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Illinois, USA
