|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
American Example
|
|
“I am running for President of the United
States to lead this country in a new direction…
Instead of being distracted from the most pressing
threats that we face, I want to overcome them.
Instead of pushing the entire burden of our foreign
policy on to the brave men and women of our military,
I want to use all elements of American power to
keep us safe, and prosperous, and free. Instead
of alienating ourselves from the world, I want
America once again to lead…”
-Senator Barack Obama, US Democratic
Party
Presidential Candidate
“Despite
our differences, much more unites us than divides
us. We are fellow Americans, an association that
means more to me than any other. We're dedicated
to the proposition that all people are created
equal and endowed by our Creator with inalienable
rights. No country ever had a greater cause than
that. And I wouldn't be an American worthy of
the name if I didn't honor Senator Obama and his
supporters for their achievement.”
-Senator John McCain, US Republican
Party
Presidential Candidate
|
|
|
The Americans
are indeed exceptional people. They have this exceptional
way of making life look easy and enjoyable. They have
used the power of technology to transform human life.
They have contributed immensely in making the world
a global village. No matter how you look at it, America
is a country you can't hate to love.
Even as some countries envy their ingenuity in all aspects
of human endeavour, the Americans are a delight to watch
at any time. Even as she remains at war with her perpetual
enemies, America is home to every human race. And even
as she has been accused severally of policing the rest
of the world, America is a lover of a peaceful and united
world.
I, like every other admirer of the American country
and her people, is always amazed at the way this God's
Own Country does her things. With such openness, transparency
and freedom in governance, America has succeeded in
convincing the entire world that democracy is the best
form of government.
As the 2008 general elections in America draws nearer,
the whole world seems to be caught by the showbiz frenzy
called electioneering campaigns going on in America.
From Change Agent, Barack Obama to the man who has suffered
some degree of impairment for the sake of his beloved
America, John McCain and then to the controversial Sarah
Palin, not forgetting senatorial veteran, Joe Biden,
the political landscape in America has become a theatre
of comedy.
|
|
 |
|
What
interests me most in all of these, is the manner at which
the contestants engage themselves on topical issues that
affect the American people and the whole world.
Of course, what affects America, affects the whole world.
And that is why when . |
|
|
|
|
America sneezes,
the whole world catches cold. The recent economic crisis that
rocked the country is a case study But there is something the
American presidential hopefuls are doing that Nigerian politicians
shy away from. And that is the issue of blogging.
The aspirants see the Internet as another medium of reaching
their supporters within and outside America. And that is why
their views on issues like the economy, energy, national security,
foreign affairs, and crime fighting among others are hosted
on their individual websites.
What this means is that supporters can easily log on to the
website and read over and over again, the position of the aspirants
on such topical issues. Nothing is hidden. And this helps the
electorate to properly assess the knowledge, competence and
capability of a particular aspirant in tackling problems that
would arise from any of the issues if he were elected President.
It is not so in Nigeria. Our politicians have not yet come to
terms with the value and benefits of the Internet. It is a culture
that has refused modernization. And that is why it is even difficult
to know exactly what our political leaders have as programmes
and their views on topical national and international issues.
There is no way they get feedback from the electorate because
there is no way they could be reached. Take your mind back to
2007 when our present political leaders were campaigning for
votes. How many of them had websites to publicize their manifestoes
and views on topical national issues? How did they market themselves
to Nigerians in the Diaspora?
That tells you the way we value the Internet here. It is a general
disease. Otherwise put, how many government agencies in Nigeria
today have existing website where information about them could
easily be extracted no matter where one is sourcing the information
from? Even where you manage to get any, you find out that the
information hosted therein have all been outdated.
The American election presents us and indeed our politicians
the opportunity of learning how things are done. It presents
us the opportunity of learning the importance of modern technology
and how it could be used to change society for the better.
It presents our politicians the opportunity of learning how
to build synergy with the electorate; how to interact with the
electorate and get to know what their needs are.
These are exactly what those who want to occupy the White House
in Washington DC come January 2009, are presently doing. We
can learn from them. |
|
|
|
/march_2008_thumbnail.jpg)