[Marxism] Presidents Bush and Putin explain democracy to us all

[Brian Shannon <Brian_Shannon@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Below is an extract from the White House’s release of the press 
conference held by Bush and Putin at the end of their meeting in 
Bratislava, Slovakia.

When asked about democracy, Putin defended his recent moves with a 
sardonic dig at the Electoral College:
“This is, in essence, a system of the Electoral College, which is used, 
on the national level, in the United States, and it is not considered 
undemocratic, is it?”

Unfortunately, he didn’t point out that the Electoral College was 
created to give the original slave states added weight in the choice of 
the president, nor that its winner-take-all structure makes a mockery 
of “One Person-One Vote.”

Bush’s comment on democracy, was strikingly refreshing. After his nod 
to democracy in general, he said what he really felt:
“I told him that it was very important that capital see rule of law, 
that there be stability, there not be any doubt about whether or not -- 
if somebody invests, whether or not the laws change. And I think 
Vladimir heard me loud and clear, and he explained why he made 
decisions he made.”
___________________

PRESIDENT PUTIN: First, we are not going to make up -- to invent any 
kind of special Russian democracy; we are going to remain committed to 
the fundamental principles of democracy that have been established in 
the world. But, of course, all the modern institutions of democracy -- 
the principles of democracy should be adequate to the current status of 
the development of Russia, to our history and our traditions.

Q First of all, I wanted to ask another question, but we have an 
interesting conversation now, therefore I'm going to ask about the 
following: It seems to me that you have nothing to disagree about. The 
regimes that are in place in Russia and the U.S. cannot be considered 
full[y] democratic, especially when compared to some other countries of 
Europe, for example -- for example, The Netherlands. It seems to me, 
that as far as Russia is concerned, everything is clear, more or less. 
But as far as the U.S. is concerned, we could probably talk at length. 
I am referring to the great powers that have been assumed by the 
security services due to which the private lives of citizens are now 
being monitored by the state. This could be explained away by the 
consequences of September 11th, but this has nothing to do with 
democratic values. How could you comment on this? I suggest that you 
can probably agree -- you can probably shake hands and continue to be 
friends in future.

PRESIDENT BUSH: I live in a transparent country. I live in a country 
where decisions made by government are wide open, and people are able 
to call people to -- me to account, which many out here due on a 
regular basis. Our laws, and the reasons why we have laws on the books, 
are perfectly explained to people. Every decision we have made is 
within the Constitution of the United States. We have a Constitution 
that we uphold. And if there is a question as to whether or not a law 
meets that Constitution, we have an independent court system, through 
which that law is reviewed.

So I'm perfectly comfortable in telling you, our country is one that 
safeguards human rights and human dignity, and we resolve our disputes 
in a peaceful way.

PRESIDENT PUTIN: I would like to support my American counterpart. I'm 
absolutely confident that democracy is not anarchy. It is not a 
possibility to do anything you want. It is not the possibility for 
anyone to rob your own people. Democracy is, among other things, and 
first and foremost, the possibility to democratically make democratic 
laws and the capability of the state to enforce those laws.

You have cited a curious example -- The Netherlands. The Netherlands is 
a monarchy, after all. I have no doubts about the democratic nature of 
that country. That is certainly a democratic nation, but this is very 
different from the United States and Russia.

There are great differences between Russia and the U.S., as well. If we 
talk about where we have more or where we have less democracy is not 
the right thing to do. But if we talk about how the fundamental 
principles of democracy are implemented in this or that historic soil, 
in this or that country, is an option, it's possible. This does not 
compromise the dignity of The Netherlands or Russia or the U.S.

Q -- on some of the decisions he has made on his democratic 
institutions, or have you just agreed to disagree? And, President 
Putin, did anything President Bush say to you today prompt you to 
reconsider some of those decisions?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I think the most important statement that you heard, 
and I heard, was the President's statement, when he declared his 
absolute support for democracy in Russia, and they're not turning back. 
To me, that is the most important statement of my private meeting, and 
it's the most important statement of this public press conference. And 
I can tell you what it's like dealing with the man over the last four 
years: When he tells you something, he means it. He asked what some of 
my concerns were, and he explained answers. I told him that it was very 
important that capital see rule of law, that there be stability, there 
not be any doubt about whether or not -- if somebody invests, whether 
or not the laws change. And I think Vladimir heard me loud and clear, 
and he explained why he made decisions he made.

But we had very frank discussions about a variety of issues. And the 
operative -- again, the operative statement, the summary statement that 
I think is important for people to hear in our countries, precisely his 
opening statement to King's question -- speaking about monarchies. 
Anyway. Get it? (Laughter.) It's late in the trip. Which is, firm 
belief in democracy. And I appreciate that.

PRESIDENT PUTIN: I have already mentioned that we have paid a lot of 
attention to these issues. I get the impression that sometimes the 
public in the now partner countries do not have the full knowledge and, 
consequently, do not have the full understanding of what is taking 
place in the Russian Federation. Naturally, within our countries, there 
are people who are in favor and there are those who are opposed to the 
decisions that are being made -- for example, the decision on the new 
procedure for the election of regional leaders in the Russian 
Federation.

But those who are opposed are richer than those who are in favor -- 
they have the opportunity to spread their opinion in the media, and we 
often do not pay the attention to that. I'd like to draw your attention 
to the fact that the leaders of the regions of the Russian Federation 
will not be appointed by the President. Their canvases will be 
presented, will be submitted to regional parliaments that are elected 
through secret ballot by all the citizens. This is, in essence, a 
system of the Electoral College, which is used, on the national level, 
in the United States, and it is not considered undemocratic, is it?

FULL AT:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050224-9.html
OR
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z1484619A

from Brian Shannon


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