United States of Ukraine

The results are in, but they don't match the exit polls. First the people cry fowl, then international election monitors confirm their accusitions, there is evidence of widespread fraud, irregularities, whatever you call it, it means the same thing, a "stolen" election. Tens of thousands of the People take to the streets in protests, camping out over night in freezing tempatures to keep their coutry free, demanding that their votes are counted, their voices heard.



Sound familiar? It should, but it most likely does not. These are the events that have been unfolding in the Ukraine over the last day or so. Eeirly similar to our own recent elections, Prime Minister Viktor Yanuknvych and opposition leader Viktor Yuschenko may seem to have very similar names, but they have vastly different ideas on where the future of their country exists.

What's ironic is this quote from from US Senator Richard Lugar, "It is now apparent that a concerted and forceful programme of election-day fraud and abuse was enacted with either the leadership or co-operation of governmental authorities." I understand that he's the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but don't you think at least one US Sentator would stand up and voice these very same concerns for our election at home?

Even more, we should learn something from the Ukrainian people. Their democracy is still young, they still care, they have vivid memories of a recent past and they know what is at risk. With estimates of 33,000 cases of voting "irregularities" occuring throughout the US, and provisional ballots still to be counted in the decisive state of Ohio, the majority of Americans have already accepted their fate.

As it's often said, freedom isn't free. So as you settle down for your Thanksgiving feast and you ask youself (and your family) what do you really have to be thankful for this year? A free and fair election? Think again. Living in a democracy? Not for long. That your country is free from widespread social unrest? Well, then you only need to thank yourself for not resisting.