A year back, the attention of the whole world was riveted on the forthcoming American Presidential elections? The Presidential debates attracted attention that is normally not exhibited for any other head of government selection. Evidently US is of prime importance in this still uni-polar world. It is presumed that the Presidential election is likely to change the global political and economic scenario appreciably. While the Obama baiters were afraid of the change that a lily while skin bring forth, the Obama aficionados believe that he is likely to open flood gates of universal admiration. Why this enchantment with this country whom all also love to revile.

I am more intrigued by the fact that this election is most closely watched election, despite the fact that American are regarded as bossy, imperious, aggressive and interfering. Why is it that this country despite its importance evokes strong currents of criticism as a country that is crassly insensitive? Today, right from distant burning Sahara, to freezing Tundra; from sophisticated France to oil rich Middle East; from very Conservative Canadians to fighting revolutionary Filipinos, everybody loves to hate Americans. While Carol Parrish, the vocal former MP from Mississauga called them bastards and thus lose her place in Liberal caucus; the fanatic Muslims liken them to the forces of Satan.

The million dollar question that arises is that why is it so. It is an accepted fact that US the largest donor of aid to all the countries. There is hardly a country that has not accepted aid and help from States. France was liberated from the Nazi tentacles by the American forces; South Korea was saved from the Communist Dragon primarily by the US forces; India was all alone- even it’s all time friend USSR deserted it in 1962 - and it was US that came to its aid, and millions of Indians survived hunger only because of PL 480 funds; Pakistan till now is dependant on US aid; even the mighty USSR was helped by US when faced with economic disaster. And yet all of them unite to criticize US.

The democratic movement in the world has survived because of US help; the tide against totalitarianism was by and large stemmed by this country. Agreed that US has also propped dictators, but by and large, it has been on the side of democracy.

People often forget the past. I shall refer to the psychological need of people to criticize US later on. The biggest criticism that is being hurled against US now is its war against Iraq. I feel that this war was historical necessity and whatever government might have there; this war would have been fought. Let’s not forget that it was President Clinton who had ordered bomb attack on Sudan and missile attacks on Afghanistan. And those attacks were a precursor to this war.

Secondly the point often raised that US should have left Iraq after removal of Saddam. Anybody with an understanding of history would realize that it would have been suicidal for both US and Iraq, as well as for the world order. This would have resulted in a carnage that can hardly be imagined. However it would have made the partition killings in India in1947 pale into insignificance. Iraq would have been divided and the power of Iran would have increased tremendously. This would have been a disaster. It is always easy to lay blame; but the situation in Iraq warrants the presence of US.

Hatred of US is nothing but a well sustained media and public relation spill. There is a sustained subtle and not so subtle campaign and the majority of the people do not think for themselves. And critical attitudes do get more readers. It sets in motion a vicious circle. Critical analysis gets more reader, more readers just echo what they have read, seen or heard and the opinion polls go haywire.

Coming to the point that why is it that people and nations go to US for help and then criticize it. I fully recollect that Government of India was sustained by PL 480 funds, and everything wrong was attributed to US. Pakistan till today gets aid and help, but not an opportunity is missed to bring demonstrations against this country. US had given $ 5 billion in aid to Bolivia; and the Bolivians just detest the Gringos. It is a natural reaction. The recipients of help develop a sense of inferiority and to express and assert their power, they turn back and bite that hand that feeds them.

There was a time in history when US was ensconced in its cocoon. It had avowed policy of isolationism. It was not concerned with happened outside. The First World War forced US to come to the aid of Free World. But even then US did not join League of Nations. However, after the tremendous contribution in World War 11, it t decided to play an active role in order to check the fiasco of league. And here while its material help was welcome, it was also used as target for every real and imagined ill.

Maybe it shall be good idea for US to revert back to the isolationist era. Its withdrawal from the world stage shall shock the people in realizing the good it is doing. After all which country does not indulge in something wrong? Which political leadership is pristine pure? It is imperative for the people to take stock and have different perception of this nation that tends to be super cop, and yet does a lot of good to the world. It is high time that nations around the world take stock and stop unnecessary carping.