The terrororists are winning. They are winning if they in fact have turned popular opinion against the idea of introducing democracy in the middle east. Not that anyone has denounced the virtues of democracy.
What has become "mainstream" thinking is that the price of democracy is not worth the cost.
Perhaps when we started to bring democracy to the middle east, some favored the goals. Now that the price is more clear and expensive (i.e. lives, injuries, money and world condemnation), the "groupthink" in the US has determined it is no longer worth the price.
The real issue should not be either the goal, or, whether the cost is too high. The real issue should be the competence of the administration and military leaders that keep saying "stay the course" nd add a few more troops.
In a democracy, public support is essential.
The breakdown of support may be partially due to media spin and bias. Yet, the important source of public dismay is results. We are clearly a "results oriented society". The results must be timely and proportionate to the costs. When this equation breaks down, public support wanes.
No comments:
Post a Comment