Another thought provoking letter..........

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   SparklingJewelposted 15 years ago

   I don't where my friends find these unsigned letters and information, but I get them in my mail quite often...here's another one that says what he means... but it shows people are still confused about the difference between a system of democracy and  a republic...
   
   has anyone done a hub on this yet
   
   
            
   
           Lesson In Democracy From Honduras
            
   
           Is the future of  the United States democratic system being played out in Central America today?   We can only hope so.
            
   
           In a nut shell, this is what has happened in Honduras during the past few weeks.
            
   
           Honduran President Manual Zelaya had been at odds with  the Honduran Congress and Courts for many months, seeking to  increase his power and authority to levels similar to those wielded by  Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.  But according  to the Honduran Constitution, its president can only serve a single  four year term. With his Presidency coming to an end in January, Zelaya wasn't happy with that situation, so he decided to try an end around play.
            
   
           He decided to sponsor a constitutional referendum to allow him to continue to serve as president. The only problem is, the Honduran Constitution doesn't give him the right to do  that. Any constitution referendum must be called by the Honduran Congress.  Not bothered by that minor detail, Zelaya contacted his  buddy, Hugo Chavez, and had ballots printed and ballot boxes prepared in  Venezuela and flown to Honduras.  The Honduran  Supreme Court declared Zelaya's actions unconstitutional, but again, he was not deterred.
            
   
           When Zelaya directed the military to  distribute the ballots and boxes, the top military commander refused, citing the orders of the Supreme Court. President Zelaya promptly fired him. The Supreme Court ordered him reinstated. Zelaya refused.
            
   
           Still undeterred, Zelaya led a group of his  supporters to break into the military installation where the  ballots from  Venezuela were being stored and then had his people distribute them in defiance of the Supreme Court's order. By the way, elections in Honduras are supposed to be managed and overseen by the Honduran Election Tribunal, which was not involved in any of Zelaya's efforts.
            
   
           Acting under orders of the Supreme Court, the Honduran military dragged Zelaya out of bed at 6 AM, arrested him, put him on a plane in his pajamas, flew him to Costa Rica, and released him. They literally threw him out of the country.
            
   
           The Honduran Congress immediately met in emergency session and designated its president as the interim executive as stipulated in Honduran law. It also said that  presidential elections set for November will go forward.
            
   
           Honduras has one of the strongest  democracies in the world. When Presidential elections are held, typically 80-90% of the eligible population votes (compared to only 50%  in the  U.S.). This situation clearly shows how democratic checks and balances are supposed to work.
            
   
           When the President tried to overstep his bounds, the legislative and judicial branches stepped in and did not allow  it. You might make a case that Zelaya should have been arrested and held in Honduras, but I understand he was exiled in order to minimize the probability of violence.   Obviously, he will have an even better opportunity to state his case while not in confinement. In fact, he has already been invited to address the U.N. General Assembly.
            
   
           So where does the U.S. government stand on  this situation?
            
   
           Well, Obama stands shoulder to shoulder with Hugo  Chavez, Fidel Castro and Daniel Ortega in calling for Zelaya to be re-instated as President!
            
   
           President Obama said the  U.S. government believed  the takeover was "not legal" and that Zelaya remained the country's leader! U.S. press secretary Robert Gibbs said "We're seeking to restore that democratic norm in  Honduras, and haven't changed the recognition of who we believe is the president of that country"!
            
   
           So much for the United  States being the world's biggest  supporter of democracy!
            
   
           Even worse than the situation in  Iran,
   
           where Obama remained silent while protesters were slaughtered in the streets
   
           by an oppressive government; in Honduras Obama has gone on record as calling for the re-instatement of a leader who has been ousted by  his country's legislative and judicial processes!
            
   
           One might ask  WHY?
            
   
           Well, consider this:
   
           Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it give the government the power to fire private company employees.  But how many bank and automotive executives have been forced out by Obama's administration since January 20th?
            
   
           Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it give the government the power to own private companies. So how did the government end up owning 70% of General Motors Corporation?
            
   
           Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it give the government the power to set salaries in the private sector, as Obama's administration is currently doing in banks that have taken TARP money.
            
   
           Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it give the executive branch the power to appoint Czars to make rules governing
   
           private industry, that role is reserved for
   
           the legislative branch of our government.
            
   
           Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it give the President the power to set aside contracts. So how did GM bond holders
   
           end up getting the shaft while the unions profited?
            
   
           In fact, all of these things are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.
            
   
           Like Zelaya, Chavez, Castro, and Ortega, President Obama does not believe a
   
           country's Constitution should limit his
   
           power.
            
   
           Unfortunately, our Congress and our Courts have yet to show the courage and determination that the Honduran Legislators and Supreme Court have shown.
            
   
           Isn't it amazing that we have to look to a small country in Central America to see how democracy is supposed to work, while our President sides with the likes of Zelaya, Chavez, Castro, and Ortega!
            
   
           WAKE UP, AMERICA!

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   1. 60

      Friendlywordposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sure the Congress and the Court are just trying to be polite.  They now the Obama's are at a child bearing age. They dont what to break into their bedroom at the wrong time.
      
      Did Obama own you or your children when you or they took out a federally insured Student loan or a Grant?
      
      Legally that fool is still the President of Hunduras for the next few months. That is a part of that great Democracy you goin on about.

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2. 71

   Cagsilposted 15 years ago

   Interesting post.

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