Friday, June 06, 2008

American ‘GOOD’s

US-bashing is the favourite pastime of almost half the world population now. Irrespective of their nationality, there are no exceptions among Mullahs and Moulavis as to their opinion about who is responsible for the evils of this world. It is undoubtedly USA and George Bush. Leftists have always insisted on their inherited conviction that USA represents capitalism and hence the most evil nation in the world. Then we have the increasing varied collection of moralists and activists of innumerous shades who are dead against USA, each for their own reasons and most such reasons contradicting between themselves. It is easy to understand the growing dislike for George Bush but very difficult to comprehend the reasons for hating a country like United States of America. True that their military strategy on war-on-terror and Middle East policy have gone pathetically wrong, but is there nothing good about America?

It is quite enlightening when we try to study the kind of people who enjoy hating USA for their own reasons and sometimes for reasons they are unaware. Ask any Islamic activist about where his close relative went or would go for a brain surgery? Ask any hardcore Leftist about where his bright son or daughter is studying or would like to study? Ask any US-bashing intellectual about where he would like his brightest theories to be presented? And ask any confirmed US-basher about from where he collected the materials for making a case against America. The most probable answer to all these questions is USA. Our next question would be on the obvious contradiction – of desiring a country about which you are spitting venom? None of these US-bashers would have an answer. Most of them are making the simple mistake of identifying a nation with a leader. USA is definitely not the worst country in the world today. It is in fact one of the best and brightest. It is still the best bet for the entire world to prevent World War III. Let us see some of the undeniable ‘good’s about America.

Paradise for Merit

In the world today, there can be no contest about the most encouraging environment for the meritorious. USA presents the best option for those with merit in any field. Be it science or technology or social sciences the best facilities and peer group are available in USA. It has not developed in a short span but has taken decades of accumulative efforts in attracting talent and nurturing them. Freedom for unhindered thought, resources for unlimited research and generous recognition for achievements are some of the key factors that have taken USA to where it is now. India had very similar setup during the Vedic period and we are aware of what it can achieve. In any society where merit is recognized the overall achievement of the whole will be disproportionately higher. What Indians knew well Americans put into practice and that has taken USA to the very top. The only comfort for India is the good number of Indians that have taken part in this journey.

Equal Opportunity for Unequals

The concept of Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) is one of the best contributions of USA to the corporate world. It is a reflection of the sense of fairness and justice that prevails in American society that evolved the concept of EOE in a society of unequals. In sharp contrast, India is still struggling and getting more entangled in the reservation knots for addressing the same issue. We proudly categorise our reservation system as one of positive discrimination but in effect it is ending up as negative and degenerative. India has already earned the dubious distinction of the only country in the world where communities agitate to be counted as backward. Providing educational incentives to those who deserve it, followed by equal employment opportunity is the only plausible method for bringing about fairness and social justice. The sooner we realise and accept this axiom for social justice the better for our country too.

Firm Action for Results

Firm and resolute action befitting a world leader (often criticized as world policeman) is yet another goodness of USA. While many other oldies participate very vocally in passing resolutions at UN Security Council, USA is the only country that proceeds to implement the same with equal firmness. Unlike lip service, any action on the ground requires guts, involves expenditure and determination to act. All other big players like UK, Russia, France, China, Japan and even India have been found wanting when it comes to action. Each of them will have their own reason not to participate in any world action. But for the karmic intervention of USA many of the occasional rogue states and leaders would have made a mess of this world by now. We definitely need a world policeman and the best option that fulfils everyone’s interest is a democratic USA.

India missed a unique opportunity immediately after its liberation from British by not aligning with the United States of America wholeheartedly. USA and India of 40s’ were perfect natural partners in so many aspects. Both had democratic principles encrypted in the DNA of majority of their citizens. The noble intentions of creating a truly secular nation amidst multi-religious population provided India the vital need for such an alignment. Yet the short-sighted and ambitious romantic in Nehru drag India into a non-aligned ‘eunuch’ism. Our enemies gained from our mistake and our so-called big brother USSR which was built on an unnatural ism met its natural end prematurely. The rest is history. USA and India are so very different now. Yet we still have the common faith in democracy and have formidable common enemies. We should definitely be looking for co-operation wherever our national interests looks identical.

13 comments:

Baiju Elikkattoor said...

Om Americaya Namah.....! Sorry I am afraid I will faint before completing this................. bye

Anonymous said...

you are an idiot....or like those financial analyst who are never wrong coz they only analyze things which have already happened.

things always happen in retrospect!
if India would have been better in terms of HDI to US, then idiots like you would be writing blogposts the other way round!

solutions are forward looking and not harping on the past!

bye!

Econworld said...

In Kerala it is quite fashionable to abuse Americans for everything happens in the Western world!one can appreciate any objective criticism of the Bush policies which destroyed the peace and stability in the Middle-East.Beyond that all American bashing is against our genuine interests.Kerala's political class are hypocrates of the highest order and they organise "Bandhs and Hartals" repeatedly to remind the people about the evil called "Globalisation".Very often we forget the fact that Malayalees and Gujaratees are the most globalised Indian communities migrating and assimilating with varios societies around the world.
We missed a great opportunity by not signing the Nuclear Deal.The future generations will never pardon the left for this great anti-national act which will cost us dear in terms of lost economic opportunities!The left must be proud of their achievement!After all they have shown their full loyalty to China...

Baiju Elikkattoor said...

Professor, can you please explain the great opportunities those are missed? Americans have not history of getting into any deal unless it is beneficial to them. They do not care for others. Do you remember how and what possible obstacles these blooding Americans made for India in obtaining cryogenic engines for space the programme? Now that India has developed most of the know-how indigenously, America wants enter into nuclear agreement in which most of the terms suits to America’s interest. They want India to allow them to check our nuclear facility. Why? Can they allow India to check theirs? They want our facilities to attack other countries! Read Iran! Do we have any problem with Iran? These are only some of the cantankerous terms.

See Pakistan. All these days they were friends of America. What progress did that country made? Their economy is going from bad to worse. Now they have a democratically elected government there, yet the bloody Americans are supporting a dictator there.

Though bandh and hartals are nuisance, that is a sign of people’s political activism as well. What political activism the American have? Forget about millions of people died and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hands of American army. Have you heard of American people ever agitated or raised their voice for thousand of their own servicemen died, become handicapped in Iraq and Afghanistan, for the men who suicide because of war trauma? They are the most politically impotent lots on earth! They are only concerned with cheap gas and availability of food items in supermarkets. With all the drawbacks of Indian system, do you think a scoundrel like Bush still be in power in India making all the false statements and bringing untold miseries to people around and sacrificing the lives of his own men for no apparent reason? The people of India would have kicked the bastard into the garbage bin long back. Any doubt? Abusing America is not a fashion rather it is a spontaneous reaction of disgruntled people around the world!

Anonymous said...

Nice post. dont pay attention to the idiots who didnt like it. they are just "disgruntled" folk who read nothing except their local malayalam newspaper.

Anonymous said...

http://brnaeem.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-i-cant-love-america.html

Anonymous said...

This comment is in reference to Balaji, why should america do anything for any other country, ultimately any country is about its interests and its citizens well being, secondary to that is the interests of any of its friends etc.

La vida Loca said...

after listening to several america bashers this is refershingly different.

Baiju Elikkattoor said...

Ok, Mr. Anony, you may well wag your tail to America. Keep on.......

Anonymous said...

Nice read!

Anonymous said...

Guess where comrade Karat is holidaying?

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=RVRNLzIwMDgvMDYvMTEjQXIwMDIwMw==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

THE Communists here may be compulsive critics of George Bush but when it comes to holidaying, US is a preferred destination. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, who spares no opportunity to lash out at the ‘Great Satan,’ is now chilling out in the Unites States.

To be fair to Mr Karat, he is not the first Indian revolutionary to vacation in the US. Former chief minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu had to write that he was a Communist when he filled in his visa application for the US when he visited over a decade ago. However, the US has done away with that column in its application forms, which now do not seek details about the applicant’s political affiliations.

Mr Karat’s politburo colleague, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, was planning a visit to the US. But for past several months, problems have been raining for the Bengal chief minister, demanding his presence in the state. This forced a cancellation of the “advance team’s” visit as well. This team was supposed to be led by state commerce minister Nirupam Sen. Mr Karat and his wife Brinda Karat, who is also in the US, are understood to be visiting some relatives. Ms Karat had made a trip to the US last year for the launch of Shonali Bose’s film Amuin which the Marxist leader has a role. Incidentally, the parliamentary committee on women’s bill, of which Ms Karat is a member, is having its crucial meetings in New Delhi.

The CPM general secretary, who is learnt to have left for the US a day after the Manmohan Singh government announced the hike in fuel prices, is expected to return two days ahead of the meeting of the UPA-Left panel on the nuclear deal on June 18. The meeting is likely to witness the US-loathing Left rejecting the government’s plea to allow it to wrap up the India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA.

Soon after prices of petrol, diesel and LPG were increased, Left parties issued a statement criticising the government for the move and announcing a weeklong agitation. The CPM has been holding the US largely responsible for the global price rise situation and has not missed any opportunity to accuse the UPA government of succumbing to US pressure. The Left had protested president George Bush’s India visit, joint naval exercises and India’s vote against Iran.

Baiju Elikkattoor said...

Barking at CPM and wagging at America! Who said CPM is a communisty party? It is only in the name! The essence is long lost!!

Wavefunction said...

There's another fact related to your second comment; there has never been a formal or informal caste system in the US based on profession. Most if not all professions are regarded as equally respectable.