Politically Correct and Correct Politics

I'm not really a serious follower/fan/critic of Obama policies. At best, I have a long-distance one-sided on again-off again love-hate relationship with them. And so, I'm writing this willing to be corrected in the process.

I never offered prayers for Obama's election (not that I offer prayers otherwise.. I don't have anybody to offer prayers to.. point is I didn't think of him much.) I only started following Obama's policies after he got elected. That too because his foreign policy seemed inclined towards more liberal and humanistic choices. In the very first week he announced that they would withdraw from Iraq, shutdown Guantanamo Bay prison, have environmental reforms, stop/reduce aid to Pakistan etc.

Very very interesting, I thought. Often political stories have the central character of a politician who starts with a lot of promise and noble intentions but the system gets to him in an anti-climatic way before he can do anything. Obama's swift actions made me think that perhaps disillusionment is overrated. Perhaps it is actually easy to do the right things.

But a few months down the line not much seems to have changed. He seems to be traveling all over the world with the same "soaring rhetoric" only this time around its directed towards long standing civilizations and the need for being friends. And his friend-requests have mostly been accepted, considering everything that he says is right, even safe. Always politically correct.

However, he seems to have the same solution to most problems: Giving money.

Example 1: His government sanctioned a lot of money as federal aid to banks and financial institutions on the verge of bankruptcy. These institutions in turn used the money in the manner of spoilt rich brats. Some bought luxury helicopters, others expensive rugs for their offices and yet others announced bonuses. Of course Obama and company were furious with this abuse of public money

Example 2: At this point most of America's foreign aid is going to Pakistan to fight the war on terrorism. Financing one side in a war (mostly started by themselves) has been a favorite idea with various American governments. Historically and from a longer perspective it only works against them because eventually they cannot control who they arm. Not very long ago they financed Afghanistan to fight Russia and now they are financing Pakistan to fight Afghanistan. This has brought Pakistan to a civil war-like situation where innumerable innocent victims get killed and which could further continue the cycle of anger and resentment.


A lot of governments have been harmful towards their own people or their neighbors. However, post colonialism, USA has probably been the most harmful country towards the world if one were to check its track record of starting wars, inciting violence, validating imperialism for its own economic ends, causing pollution etc in various parts of the world.
Therefore, US foreign policy has significant repercussions and any pro action starting in the US can have far reaching and desirable effects. With Obama .. this positive change is so close yet so far.. Most things that he's said maybe politically correct, but is that enough.


Disclaimer: This post is specifically in relation to the US foreign policy.