American Aftermath: THE DECISION OF A LIFETIME

Once some time has passed after the American elections, it might be useful for Americans and for all citizens of the World to have a look at what happened with some distance, from afar, without fierce passions, political colours, pain for defeat or joy for victory because - as there is always a bigger picture - both victory and defeat are just illusions in time. It would be useful to see it not with a criticism eye but as a view where many people everywhere will recognise similar situations happening in their own land. The wisdom and strength required to see both skills and flaws are the only way to successfully handle reality.

What the last American election actually did was to put on stage - not candidates or political parties - but an X-ray of a nation´s reality living underneath their perceived idea of themselves. America stands as champions of Democracy and Freedom. However, some of the very basis that hold those structures have not been performing as designed by principle or as written by their founders. First, Democracy, a political way of government that stands upon the fair balance that three stablished powers - legislative, judicial, executive - provide for society and, therefore, for millions of inhabitants. However, during the last decade, the Legislative Power sat inactive, paralysed, almost useless as part of that sort of political permanent super-bowl between the two main parties. The production of laws that regulate, update and adjust people´s life was halted. Therefore, Democracy lived without one of its vital legs. Second, the Judicial system. The lack of impartiality - the essence of a true blind justice - has become so common that even journalism talks openly of the political colours of judges. Those civil servants meant by principle to serve all peoples without distinctions are now generally viewed as servers of politics. Therefore, Democracy lived, again, without another of its vital legs. The Government that held executive power during the last decade was one that actually saw "minorities" which, in America, conform the entire nation for its inhabitants come from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America just as in the beginning they came from England, Scotland, Ireland or Whales. America is, in fact, a puzzle of nationalities built in time. The executive power, then, during this past decade faced a fierce blockage driven by an ever present racial confrontation. Therefore, Democracy lived without the full concourse of its third vital leg.

Then comes Freedom, a concept which most elementary definition implies something simple: respect for ALL peoples for it is only when respect gets delivered when freedom can be actually lived. However, the political campaign in America made an open display of disdain for elementary respect for all peoples and their deserved rights. Therefore, the very roots of freedom get blurred.

Also, threads that knit the political system are powerfully influenced in America by one variable: technology. Leaders on that area, they have developed life-change divises in every field, the most known, those in communications. Efficiency, speed, coverage, prices, and profit engines American drive for innovation. Computers, the Internet, Media, smart phones, social Media and many others US made devises have connected the world. The basic, simple, vital effect of those divises, however, more than coverage, efficiency or profit, is to do something powerful and simple, they do move Information. Information that in America meets extremes: on one side there is a totally open almost chaotic field for individual information made basically of opinion and personal knowledge or interests, while on the other side there is a tight closed political half- information dressed of journalism, with some good, serious, brave exceptions. The fact is that one thing is the individual perception of an issue or, more important, of the national and global reality, - which is opinion - and another thing in the Factual Truth that surrounds an issue which is journalism. As here, also, political colours have infiltrated the task as it happened with the three main democratic powers, PEOPLE get very much connected but only half or barely connected with their true national and global reality. Hence the last elections. An example to illustrate the point: The recently elected President enjoyed the favor of rural people mainly. They supported an elected government that denies global warming. Rural people, however, are the main target for global warming, their fields, animals, products, farms, even homes are the most vulnerable before nature´s crescent strengths produced by the ascending heat of the planet. A situation that will impact urban people´s food supply. There they are, people happily throwing a boomerang on themselves because of lack of, or miss-information. Another clear example of launching technology in search for profit without thinking in its consequences is the vulnerability that permitted foreign governmentS to influence the past elections.

Finally, all nations count on security forces - army, police. intelligence, etc, - to protect people and nation from various perils. That is also part of Democracy and they are meant to protect all people. In this election, however, the main intelligence Bureau openly participated in politics breaking the impartiality designed for the job. Therefore, the roots of protection gets shuttered.

So, there it is: Legislative paralysed, Executive blocked, Judicial politizied, roots of freedom blurred, information nonexistent or politically controlled, and security shuttered, the present situation is no wonder and sets the American People - and by extension the entire World - before THE decision of a lifetime: To Re-build Democracy or to let it fall. Because, again, what the American election put on stage is a reality living beneath their own believes. A reality that hits just the same both political parties because, regardless of specific individuals in any of them, the situation touches the very foundation of their social structure, their way of living and their place on Earth. Leadership like respect is not something you demand, it is something you inspire. As much as Democrats and Republicans are of the interests of American people, they are not the focus of attention of the World, of observers. For them it is just the United States of America that claims world leadership but that is hardly inspiring it these days. It is a situation product of a long process that has weakened the pillars of their solid society, a situation that is, actually, present in many nations on Earth.

The American PEOPLE, all of them, and for the matter also the entire World, must re-think what leadership means for them and how much Democracy truly holds their more cherished principles. Specially now that other centers of power in China, Europe, Latin America, Asia (and, it is fair to say, Obama´s US) are strongly heading towards Earth´s true impending issues showing intelligence and drive in their joint effort to develop, improve and save Humanity. A peaceful effort that will take them far. America IS great in many ways - their drive, their wits, their determination, their people, their good heart - but any form of arrogance must be avoided. All empires in history have fallen from within when the solid structures that held them got weakened or corrupted. It is a fact of History that has only been avoided when PEOPLE recognise it and put a halt to it on time. When people leave the comfort of their individual lives and join to put together what has gone drifting; when love for nation translates into participation through giving to society knowledge, abilities and time; when people wake to true situations and grab reality through accurate, comprehensive information; when rulers understand that power is meant to help not to hurt; and when every individual understands that the fate of the nation in no other than his or her own fate. It is, indeed, THE decision of a lifetime. / Silvia Davila MM, EarthPipol, Nov. 23, 2016.