The reinvention of a worldly Iran

The aftermath from elections in Iran have bought with them a promising future. The reformists backing President Rouhani all did better than expected, which is a blow to all those conservatives who are still seething over the nuclear deal. Interesting how hard-liners in both Iran and the U.S. are in agreement - the world is full of strange bedfellows. 

It didn't make many headlines in the West, but Iran kept its long-standing principle of reserving seats for minorities. Two Armenian candidates were duly elected - Karen Khanlarian and Zhorzh Abrahamyan. (I am a global citizen first and foremost, however having Armenian heritage gives me a sense of pride). Newsflash: people's from the nation that first took on a Christian identity are being well looked after in the Islamic Republic. (Refer to my article from August 31, 2015). For those of you counting, there are 480 churches in Iran. I can expect this statistic to be listed when politicians (of a narrow-minded variety) scream: "Iran is the great Satan". All the while forgetting Saudi Arabia has that down pat (they care little for minorities, although that doesn't stop freedom-loving politicians from kissing their feet).

It's exciting times, with sanctions being lifted and a somewhat modern government developing, who knows what the future holds...One things certain, countries that are landlocked will be celebrating the new Iran. (Side note: this has been a big talking point among economic development circles - I have been involved in these discussions during my working trips to Armenia).

There is still a major influence in Iranian politics that cannot be suppressed anytime soon, that being the Guardian Council. This body made up of six experts in Islamic Law still can veto legislation if it doesn't adhere to Islamic values. The religious leaders are slowly undertaking a fresh approach by considering generational change. There is a battle for one position on the council between a 25-year-old (Maysam Doost-Mohammadi) and someone three times his senior. Mohammadi is campaigning on the premise of trying to form a bridge between modernity and Islam, fascinating times ahead...

Iran has a highly educated young population, if somehow that youth can thrive with a new sense of purpose, anything is possible (not to mention the large diaspora that will be reinvigorated to help their homeland). Say what you want about the nuclear deal, the fact is, it will allow for a re-connection to the world and even give a helping hand to its much-maligned neighbors. 

Healthcare is a right, not a privilege (only the soulless will disagree)

Drug/insurance company lackey (Hilary Clinton) claims universal healthcare is wishful thinking. As for Bernie Sanders, he has much in common with the Western world in promoting coverage for all, even many conservative leaders globally maintain this stance. (The man is a centrist, could even pass as center right in the UK - still a long way before he can lay claim to being a revolutionary). As for the Republican field, they are incensed that Medicare should be available to all. This would deal a blow to their dreams of following Reagan's love affair of raising taxes to fund the Military-industrial complex. Let's not even mention George W. Bush's "expert" handling of washing 1.7 trillion dollars down the drain over conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. After all this, the phrase "small government" is still tossed around, must be a covert way of expressing the opposite.

I get it, the U.S. puts consumerism before life when it comes to medicine, that explains the outrageous prices for prescription medicines (highest in the advanced world). Not to mention spending more per capita than any other OECD country (17% of GDP) yet failing the underprivileged, or as the elitist crowd refer to: 'the great unwashed consisting of some 32 million uninsured'. (It was a colossal 48 million before the introduction of ObamaCare). Reminding those who cry wolf that the U.S. has a big population, just remember that many countries with large populations do very nicely in providing world-class universal coverage (see footnote).

When something is not working you seek advice from others. Example: Argentina took the lead from Australia and introduced a gun amnesty. The result was a decrease in gun related deaths from accidents, homicides and suicides. Note: it was a conservative Australian Prime Minister that initiated the amnesty in 1996. What do you know, Australians are 11 times as less likely to die at the hands of guns than Americans.

As for health, refer to the countless countries (France consistently tops the list for best healthcare, and their government spends half of what the U.S. does per capita) spending less of taxpayers dollars on healthcare yet looking after their populace, especially those too frail or disadvantaged to care for themselves. This is what happens when you emphasize life over pandering to medical cartels. Time to really annoy insular folk...There's a "little" country with 47 million inhabitants that straddles Africa and Europe, commonly referred to as Spain. These Spaniards are so generous that they provide universal coverage for tourists and illegal immigrants. Some will say as a Catholic nation they must look after all, but Americans pride themselves on being more devout than any one European nation - simply mind-boggling!

As Americans head to the polls, some will vote out of religious conviction, others due to personal morals, anger, idealism or fiscal responsibility. By supporting those who accept healthcare is a right, not only do we help provide comfort to our fellow human, but we also sleep easy knowing we are not being contradictory to our beliefs. Come November, Americans might not get a choice of candidates that put health above war, which will be a travesty for we the people, not so much for the faceless oligarchy influencing Capitol Hill.

Footnote: ten best healthcare systems (according to the World Health Organization): 1. France 2. Italy 
3. San Marino 4. Andorra 5. Malta 6. Singapore 7. Spain 8. Oman 9. Austria 10. Japan. (U.S. ranks 37th).

Crucial vote for the forgotten people

The 14th of February is a big day (and I am not taking about the celebration of Saint Valentine), it's when the Central African Republic (CAR) elects a new President. Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Faustin-Archange Touadéra ("household names") came out on top after the first round of voting on December 30, 2015. Incidentally, a total of 30 candidates ran for the Presidency (many of them independents), which instills some confidence in a nation ravaged by a shocking sectarian civil war.

For two years Central Africans have been embroiled in a conflict between Christian and Muslim militias. It might have gained the English-speaking world's attention, if it had an actual coastline littered with oil refineries. France has come to the rescue giving it much-needed air time, but that is mostly done through having guilt from its colonial ruling days over the CAR. It's a minor miracle that the CAR is about to elect its 13th regime since gaining independence from France in 1960.

As we get bogged down in our petty lives, let's take a moment on Sunday to think about our human family in the CAR. Let's all hope the new President can actually broker reconciliation and string together a harmonious society. The gruesome stories of religious in-fighting are endless, you would think after hearing about examples of mass exodus the word would act. Two years have passed since the capital Bangui went from having 150,000 Muslims to less than a thousand, as people fled for their lives and were systematically slaughtered by Christian militias (in some instances, decapitated heads were used for sporting purposes). 

Imagine the superficial media coverage if a blue-eyed person (of Caucasian descent) were to be kidnapped by "strange-looking" African folk, it would be like a KKK meeting (or what is commonly referred to by Americans as a Donald J. Trump rally). Even when Christians fell victim's to Muslim militias, those boasting warmonger credentials never offered to send war planes to assist their brethren in the CAR. Where you are placed on the map matters, no one cares about a landlocked country with little resources for wealthy nations to pillage - it's simply not sexy!

The world came together to instill peace among the many Bosnians who were ravaged by sectarian tragedy (granted, they looked more appealing to the Western media's camera lenses), but we can also do the same for the CAR. If these elections cannot harbor stability for the CAR, then our good friends in Dayton, Ohio should be called upon to host another peace summit.

My name is America, I am in my mid 200's and seeking a forward-looking benevolent President

"I am motivated by a vision which exists in all of the great religions — in Christianity, in Judaism, in Islam, Buddhism and other religions — and which is so beautifully and clearly stated in Matthew 7:12." It states: ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.' 

The above is a quote from a presidential candidate, any guess as to who? Drum-roll...Bernard "Bernie" Sanders (you know, that weird character who puts universal healthcare above military spending). Shock-horror: the only secular running for President is the most pious - only in America! A soon to be 75-year-old is the most modern thinker in the race, that about tells you the sad state of affairs. I would prefer if Sanders was a little less lustful over gun companies (perhaps a pitiful way of courting southern Democrats), but at least he is risking political ambition on outing the comedic drivel, that is using religious hype for political gain.

Like Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. needs a leader that doesn't use religion as a tool to portray themselves as compassionate. Cause after hearing what the candidates stand for, they are anything but willing to treat others like they want to be treated. Whether it's Hillary Clinton talking about her Methodist faith whilst supporting the death penalty, Rubio showing 'compassion' through warmongering rhetoric or Messrs Cruz and Trump bashing foreigners like a piñata. We know exactly what someone with piety would do: they would not act as evil as an evil doer, nor close their door on people fleeing for a better life. If candidates are going to quote scripture they better be prepared to act upon it. Social justice means walking in the shoes of the disadvantaged, not simply ranting about God's word to brainwash voters into supporting your malice.

If gold medals were handed out for contradiction, then every candidate would struggle to walk from all the weight around their neck. You might be familiar with the following, goes a little something like this: I prayed for all humanity at the church/mosque/temple/synagogue today, but then demanded illegal aliens be deported by force. Or the old chestnut: what's with all these minorities taking our jobs (forgetting that Native Americans are the only true inhabitants, the rest of us are merely products of the global human tide).

Let's hope for a miracle and get awarded with a Sanders/Paul contest, at least that would be a somewhat discerning battle that befits a modern democracy. Fingers crossed that my piece from October 27, 2015 (Time to elect a President, not a bigot or backroom dealer) is not a prelude to a duel between those robotic creations, in Clinton and Rubio.

280 more days till we find out what we already know: the 45th President will be more about wondering how their biography will look in the next edition of the World Book Encyclopedia, than being the people's true representative in the pursuit of happiness (for all and not just a chosen few).