The U.S., it's no Indonesia

I have traveled to more than 50 countries and I have never met finer people than here. I do not think it is time yet to ring the death knell on Indonesia! Yours is a very very young country. When the U.S. was young it was not a true democracy. Only a very few (the wealthy) were allowed to vote. It was not until the 20th century that women were given that right. 150 years! Although in theory African-Americans have had this right since 1865 in reality most were prevented from voting until the 1960s. Almost 200 years! We almost exterminated the Native Americans, an atrocity still not accounted for. There were several rebellions in our early history, and one great war; our Civil War in which more Americans killed one another than in all wars since.

Just a short time ago we fought an unjust war in Vietnam (not the fault of the American soldier). During that period our army and police beat and killed student demonstrators. Our history is replete with political scandal. Richard Nixon was forced to resign in disgrace. During the Reagan administration an illegal war was fought in Nicaragua without the authority of the U.S. Congress.

Most Americans feel left out of the political system. In the last election many Americans voted not for who they liked, but for whom they disliked the least. Several other people also ran for president but you never hear about them because the media is controlled by the two major parties through big business. And the winner lost!

Another myth about America is that we are all rich! The vast majority of us have just enough money to pay the bills! Many Americans are poor. There are hundreds of thousands of homeless: some freezing to death as they sleep. Thousands of children go to bed hungry at night! In the land of the rich! One in 10 of us is an alcoholic! Our children are killing our children! The large cities are very dangerous. Every day approximately 75 of us are killed with guns. That is a Sampit every week. The violence in America dwarfs that of your country. Approximately 20,000 every single year.

In my opinion your country is at least as civilized as mine. Too many of our children are brought up in day care centers, not by their parents. We put literally millions of our elderly in nursing homes instead of taking care of them as most Indonesians do. American TV is horrible. Beware of American TV. Study after study has shown this to be part of our problem. Often I stay in your homes when I am here, and believe me Americans could learn parenting from you. Mostly you are a kind, loving and friendly people. You should be proud of yourselves. Americans should be in the streets protesting.

Do not take what the international media says too seriously. First the media is not about news: it is entertainment. It is big business and its primary purpose is to make money. Also there is a human tendency to want to look down on people we feel superior to.

I am not a tourist. I have spent some time here. I meet people from all walks of life. You are by and large good people, you have an honorable military and police, good schools and a diverse and interesting culture. Be proud!

A great American (who owned slaves) said: "The price of democracy is eternal vigilance."

J. VINCENT CONTI

Jakarta