Perfect Election? No. But it Still Matters

Regardless of who wins, today's election in Iraq is a resounding success for one big reason: It proves that the majority of Iraqi's want democracy and that they want it more than they are afraid of the insurgents. There can be no claim now that the insurgents represent the people, and the Blue Finger Brigade of over 8 million Iraqis have siezed the opportunity to peacefully show that the people are willing to risk everything for the future of their country.

I still believe that the first move of the new parliament should be to ask for an immediate reduction in US forces, and a timeline for withdrawal. Bush and company can proudly proclaim that we are there solely at the levels allowed by the new government, and will comply with the wishes of the new Iraqi government to pull out completely whenever they request. We will begin to leave, the new government will show independence and power, and insurgents will have no legitimate targets to kill.

There is still a long road ahead, and ten years of fledgling democracy with backward steps accompanying forward ones is inevitable, but I fail to see how democracy will be taken away again.

The next step is a Constitution that protects minority rights. Lets hope that they make the right choices, and I would suggest our Constitution (as originally designed) as a good model. Independent states with a central government for foreign matters and interstate issues, but with each province allowed to make and enforce laws as the province sees fit (but within the confines of a "bill of rights" for the individual). Over time, the provinces would likely be further integrated (see the EU) but it is unreasonable and futile to think that one nation with one set of laws will meet the needs of the various cultures in Iraq today.

It is very hopeful, but as a minimum it gives the US a reasonable exit strategy, and gets the US out of the way to allows the Iraqis learn to run a fair and free society.