America's political scene is heating up - that is an understatement. President Obama has managed to correct some of his early mistakes dealing with the conflict between renewable and non renewable energy incentives and has happily won some support from environmentalists and middle america's small business minority. His opponet is sizing up as a Gingrich - Romney race with Mr. Romney having a decided advantage in image conscious America. This is one election where electronic media will cast a deciding ballot - will it be about money and sound bites or will Obama's burgeoning foreign policy create a political situation in which his leadership will provide the only efficient solution to the battles now raging thoughout the middle east and east africa - now becoming a real concern in western african nations as well.
A striking contrast is provided by Britain and its grand debates in the house of commons - where the prime minister must not only justify his policies and decision making but also face direct confrontation from the two other supporting political parties as well. It becomes apparent that the man on horseback syndrome of Pennsylvania Ave has too often accepted solutions based on violent intervention rather than political change enforced by legal decree.
Britain ended slavery throughout its Empire in the 1830's and 1840's - the U.S.A. had to sacrifice a half a million young men to 'emancipate' theirs. Africa has yet to end this abominable institution even in the 3rd Christian century. What is it about direct debate and personal confrontation that facilitates political action and makes distributive justice more than 'fine words'. America will see this difference played out in 50 states and it may well be that the man who wins will be the one who can best communicate to the people.
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