The World Watches As the 'America First' President Turns Things Upside Down
The Economist January 27 2009
Peter Mitchell
In most cases, after an American Presidential election, there is a sense of anti-climax. Presidents come, and Presidents go, but except in extremely unusual circumstances, the transition is a smooth one, and business 'goes on as usual'. The 2008 Presidential election in the United States took place in 'extremely unusual circumstances, with the US facing record budget deficits, the aftermath of an eight year war in the Middle East, an imploding economy and a general feeling of a 'hope for change'. But what has happened after the election of 'third party' 'America First' President Frank Dialogue has gone past anything that has happened in American history for the 150 years, possibly going back to the years of the American Civil War. Change was what was wanted, and the new American President is giving the American nation change, in ways never anticipated by his own nation, not to mention the rest of the globe. He has come into the White House, not exactly like a whirlwind, but more of a 'quiet storm'. And now the World must sit back and watch and wait as this 'America First' president makes good on his promise for 'fundamental change'.
Just 18 months ago, Frank Dialogue was an unknown Congressman from the state of Pennsylvania who had attracted almost no national at all. He was a low ranking member of the House of Representatives Finance Commitee, who was not particularly vocal on many issues, but, in his own words, 'took copious notes, formulated a wide range of questions, and, generally, got a look at how things operate'. But, as questions of continued funding for the war in Iraq were brought up, in addition to questions related to tax-payer expenditures for what then Representative Dialogue called 'very questionable purposes', Dialogue gave an increasingly louder voice to what some pundits described as 'American populist sentiment'. As a Republican Congressman, he was ignored by the mainstream members of his party, and, according to some, drew a very critical eye from then President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.
What followed in late 2007 and 2008 was a veritable whirlwind. Dialogue announced a 'new coalition of Americans' who wanted fundamental changes in American economic & foreign policies, and the 'America First' party was born. The initial groundswell was a grass roots one, with funding and seed money coming from Internet contributions, but the America First did get some unexpected mainstream news coverage, mostly as a political 'novelty act'. But Representative Dialogue started pushing harder; He formed an alliance with the popular ex-governor of Minnesota, Johnny Valentine, who was himself a charismatic political maverick, and things started snowballing. Travelling in a leased RV, Representative Dialogue criss-crossed the nation, visiting 48 states in the mainland US, and later both Alaska and Hawaii. His workers were mostly low paid or volunteer operatives who tirelessly pushed his message of 'fundamental change and America First, and there was a constant increase of support from local communities which aided his campaign. A big breakthrough came from unexpected support from 'higher-ups' in the US Auto Industry, and surprising support from the Ford family for his pledge to rebuild the American auto industry and to 're-tool' America.
Perhaps the biggest shocker was his campaign and debate showing against the Democrat Obama and Republican McCain. In what can only be called a public 'blood letting', Dialogue ripped apart both candidates in the fall debates, particularly targetting Senator Obama on his failing to provide public proof that he was indeed a natural born American. He also tore into McCain for what he called 'the selling out of America' to banking and corporate interests. It was indeed a 'blood letting' never before viewed in a US Presidential campaign, and never on 'prime time' television. His ratings soared. It was also then that now President Dialogue claimed the death threats started.
But Election Day came, and in what may have been the biggest upset in American political history, Dialogue was elected with 40% of the popular vote, and a total of 270 Electoral College votes, the exact number needed to elect a President. The rest of the story is well known, and, as they say it's 'history'
But with the momentous announcements of President Dialogue in his Innaugural Address ('nationalizing' the FED and 'mega banks' like JPMorgan/Chase & CitiBank, announcing and 'unconditional' withdrawl from Irag and a 'phased out' withdrawl from Aghanistan, along with his stunning announcement of 'Martial Law' in the US), a stunned world, global banking community, and global corporate interests are viewing the 'America First' President of the US with trepidation. His closure of the Wall Street market for a week sent shock waves through the global financial sector. But President Dialogue just responded with his now famous words 'They need a little vacation anyway,,,Too much stress, things happen too fast there, so who knows whta's really happening?' He insisted that it was necessary to freeze all trading in order to 'begin to sort out the whole mess, to get some kind of handle on the funny money, derivatives and credit swaps and the like that have been issued so we can see who is doing what a little more clearly.' Former FED Chairman Alan Greenspan called the President's orders 'a form of insanity'. FED Chairman Ben Bernanke called it 'a highly dangerous move for the nation and the world' but didn't repeat his criticism when the President announced that Bernanke would be brought in for questioning by the Justice Department and the SEC 'to throw some light on certain matters'. Reaction from corporate America has meen muted, but negative rumblings have been heard from some quarters. The Oil Industry has had no official comment.
In Europe, the silence has been stunning. Gordon Brown sent his regards to president Dialogue, and ststed that 'In these turbulent times, we trust that the American President will keep a firm hand on the wheel, but will also realize the importance of 'global networking' in the financial and political spheres.' Presiden Sarkozy of France also sent the tradition well wishes, but also 'hoped that the American president would grasp the importance of America's position in the global marketplace, and in the area of unity in the 'promotion of democratic global institutions and policy'.
Perhaps the most encouraging words about President Dialogue came from the Russian President Dmitri Medvedev who, along with Russian PM Vladimir Putin, apparently have had a number of rather lengthly phone chats with the new president. Medvedev stated 'I have personally talked with President Dialogue via both telephone and email, and I am reassured that he intends to re-establish a relationship with Russia based on co-operation, consultation and rationality both in the political, financial and military spheres. I have been almost stunned by his openess; only time will tell what the results will be, but, let me just say that I am encouraged'. Putin was more succint in his reply to questions about the new American President 'He respects Russia and he respects Russians.' President Dialogue's announcement of the cancellation of proposed 'defensive' missile installations slated for Poland & the Czech Republic, with 'no conditions' must have been quite pleasing to the Russian President and Prime Minister.
The reaction from Israel and the Arab World has been one of shock. President Dialogue was heavily critical of Israel during his campaign, and won very little Jewish support in the election. Some estimates hold that about 90% of American Jewish voters cast their ballots against him. Prime Minister Olmert said publicly that 'Israel takes a wait and see attitude about President Dialogue, but, since we are a realistic people, we understand that some changes will be forthcoming. What they will be, and how they affect Israel, only time will tell. But I would urge no hysterical reactions on the part of certain segments of the press or the Israeli political community. Israel has influential voices that speak in it's interest, and we know that these voices will be heard'. President Dialogue has called for an 'immediate lifting of the Gaza blockade, as the Palestinians have a fundamental right to live, work and take care of their families.'
The Arab world, has been shaken by allegations of 'collusion' made by the new President in regards to certain actions and financial transactions involving Arab states and former VP Richard Cheney. This issue got even thornier, particularly in the UAE/Dubai, when the US Government issued an arrest warrant for the former VP, who became a resident of Dubai, on Innaugural Day. The US Justice Department asked the Emirate of Dubai for the extradition of the former VP, but this question became mute when Mr.Cheney died of a sudden heart attack at his residence in Dubai,
to be continued....
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