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US democracy becomes laughing stock of the world
During the 32-year dictatorship of Soeharto, many Indonesians dreamed about adopting the majesty of the United States' democracy, which Soeharto condemned repeatedly.
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Former United States president Donald Trump arrives at the courtroom at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, the US, on April 4 before his hearing. Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records stemming from three pre-election hush-money cases, prosecutors said.
(AFP/Ed Jones)
T
he embarrassing indictment of former United States president Donald Trump for giving hush money to a porn star is likely the culmination of the business mogul’s years of behavior that has made US democracy a laughing stock for the world. It is so easy to find ridiculous remarks from the 45th president of the US on social media platforms, such as his love for the notorious North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump’s notoriety with women is not surprising. Just look at his quotes on social media platforms. There are so many distasteful, misogynistic examples: "Nobody has more respect for women than I do. Nobody has more respect", and, “If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?” Is Trump the true reflection of American values nowadays? Of course, not at all, but he has millions of die-hard supporters.
But it does not mean that Americans are facing an apocalypse now. They are just about to lose their absolute global power. The country has to readjust its new situation and accept the fact that other countries are growing and developing much faster than it is.
During the 32-year dictatorship of Soeharto, many Indonesians dreamed about adopting the majesty of US democracy, which Soeharto condemned repeatedly. According to the Army general, liberal democracy was satanic and his iron-fist leadership should be a role model for developing countries.
All US presidents during Soeharto’s rule between 1966-1998, including Ronald Reagan, George W Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton, advised him to follow the US model of democracy. Many people suspected US powers played an important role in the fall of Soeharto. But now?
The US’ practically two-party system, the Republicans and Democrats, is often magnified as an ideal political party system by many Indonesians who are fed up with the current multi-party system. Currently, nine political parties are seated in the House of Representatives, with a possibility for more parties to enter the game as at least 17 parties have qualified for the legislative elections in February next year.
But do those who look up to the US democracy still insist that Indonesia emulate the US party system after witnessing the deepening division between the Republicans and Democrats?
