America: friend or foe?
NO
ONE could have failed to have noticed that US President Bill Clinton visited
Ulster
late last year. The
lighting of the
Belfast
and Londonderry Christmas
trees were portrayed as the events of the decade. Despite the media's 'Clinton-mania'.
we have mixed feelings about his visit. President Clinton came across as a warm
and caring man - someone who was concerned for the welfare of our people and
nation. However, as a politician, part of his job is to turn on the charm when
it suits him) Behind the smiles and handshakes is a man who is alleged to have
ties to drug smuggling, money laundering, murder and large scale
embezzlement. 'Slick Willie' has also featured in many a sex scandal.
Ulster
Nation has
no quarrel with any of the peoples of the
USA.
Indeed, many
are of 'Scotch-Irish' (
Ulster
) descent.
Ulster
's contribution to
American history is legendary. Many former
US
Presidents have been of
direct
Ulster
descent. The US
Declaration of Independence was written by Charles Thompson of Maghera. It was
printed by John Dunlap from Strabane. The Great Seal of the
United States
(featuring an eagle
holding arrows and a branch) was designed by Charles Thompson. The first
chairman of the 'Committee of Five States' was John Rutledge. Both were
Ulstermen. Early US heroes such as Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie and Stonewall
Jackson were all of
Ulster
stock.
We
also admire some political aspects of the
US
constitution. For
instance, we would like to see a written constitution for an independent
Ulster
. This would provide equal
protection of
the law for all,
protection of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion. The
structure of
US
government is also
of great interest to us. The balance between the House of Representatives and a
Senate could be a model, with some modifications, suitable for a new
Ulster
. The provision for
popular referenda or 'local prepositions' is also worthy of emulation. A system
of electing the head of State - the President - for a fixed term is more in
keeping with true democracy than being stuck with a hereditary monarchy.
Presidents who step out of line can be impeached. This can't be done with a
monarch without a revolution - remember Charles I.
Despite
these positive factors we have our reservations about Bill Clinton. He didn't
visit
Ulster
out of
the kindness of
his own heart. Nor
was he motivated by any sense of love for the wellbeing of our nation or people.
He was over on a double mission. Politically, be was wooing the massive
Irish-American vote. so essential for the forthcoming
US
Presidential elections.
Economically, he was acting on behalf of the banks, big business and the
multinationals - Corporate America - to open up new markets for them. He has
done this latter job well.
Ulster
is fast becoming owned
lock, stock and barrel by the
US
. Everyday we hear of the
'feelgood' factor, when
US
companies say they will
plough billions of US dollars into the local economy creating many new jobs.
However, these giant
US
corporations have tied
Ulster
into the 'global
economy'. No capitalist economy can expand forever. What happens when the market
crashes? Those on the economic or geographical periphery will lose out.
The factors that attract US money to
Ulster
today - lower wages and
massive European.
Westminster
or IDB subsidies - will
mean nothing when the slump comes. The Yanks will simply relocate elsewhere in
the world!
Clinton
is a typical politician -
he says one thing and then does another. On the one hand he talks peace, on the
other he has done nothing to stop the
US
acting the role of the
world's police force.
Clinton
has blatantly involved
himself and a CIA front group - the National Democratic Institute - in
Ulster
's affairs. 'Slick Willie'
should spend more of his time sorting the USA's numerous social and economic
problems out It should be remembered that at one point his Ulster visit was
nearly cancelled due to a near financial crisis in Washington.
Whilst
Ulster Nation extends the hand of
friendship to all
of the peoples of
the
USA
, we must oppose the
economic, cultural and military imperialism of
the
US
government. This is not
out of
hatred for all
things American, but rather a love of
our own culture and
way of
life. We have no
desire to become
America
's fifty-first state nor
part of some dictatorial US-led 'New World
Order!'
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