Democracy as defined by the greatly esteemed Abraham Lincoln, former President of the US, as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. All these years, the world believed that it was the case in the US. However, it has taken years for the truth to come out as revealed by the ongoing elections. It was widely believed that the president was elected by the people of America.
However, it is surprising to know that the people have no role in it, except for the time that they wait and waste in the queue waiting for their turn to cast their votes in the hope of electing their president. It is, indeed, a shocking disclosure that on the final round, the votes of the people are disregarded and thrown in the garbage by the hierarchy of the party. It is appalling to note that the so called ‘delegates’ of the party can override the aspiration and choice of the people and project their own candidate from nowhere.
Instead of resorting to unhealthy practices, which can damage the very credibility and foundation of the American democracy, the party, whichever it be, should carefully screen their candidates. After doing so, they should deny candidature to those who are not likely to be elected because of their arrogant nature and vituperative speech and crude policies.
However, once the party has accepted the candidature of a person, and have asked the people to make their decision to accept or deny the candidate by their votes, the party must be fair enough to accept and honour the wish of the people.
If not, the American democracy will have to be redefined as the government of the delegates, by the delegates and for the delegates.
— The reader is an Indian training manager based in Ras Al Khaimah
