[hedgetrimmer]

He also emphasized that the "democracy we are talking about is not a U.S. model of democracy,"

[hedgetrimmer]

What the &*(((&^#@@ is going on in the US State Department?????

[Brilliant]

Democracy does not assure good government. We're seeing that all over the world. We're seeing it in Venezuela. We're seeing it in Iraq. We're seeing it in Thailand. We're seeing it in Europe. We're even seeing it here in the US.

In fact, the Dems seem to be intent on demonstrating that democracy just doesn't work.

[hedgetrimmer]

More selling out of the American people. Economic integration means open borders and the looting of America's wealth by these corrupt countries and their illegal labor forces.

[rock_lobsta]

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

[calcowgirl]

...we have a positive agenda to assure that all 800 million people enjoy these freedoms."

The mere existence of OAS assures the loss of freedom.

[Paul Ross]

Do they even reference sovereignty as a a precursor value?

And what is this nattering revisionism about 9-11?

But on that date, Maisto said, "we saw our countries, our region, and our world come together as a community of nations to provide comfort, solidarity, and hope. And we saw political will and determination by each one of our governments to make a historic and explicit commitment to the preservation and promotion of democracy, on the very day that our democratic values and way of life came under attack."

Someone needs to tell me precisely how France, Russia, China (which openly said the US got its just desserts...and sent more weapons to the Taliban, Iran, and armed Iraq as well, while proliferating Nuclear tech clandestinely), etc fit this rose-colored view. Not to mention the rather lame response to the rest of the Axis of Evil Iran, North Korea. Or Cuba, and Venezuela (which even tried to send $10 million as a gift to the Taliban AFTER 9-11)

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

And every democracy must have the strength to create opportunities for improved health and education for all of its citizens."

If "democracy" gets out of the way and allows health and education to be free-market-based, perhaps these officials will get their wish.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maisto, the U.S. permanent representative to the OAS, said those elements of democracy are respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; the rule of law; the holding of periodic, free and fair elections based on secret balloting; a pluralistic political system; and the separation of powers between branches of government.

These elements are suitable for constitutional free republics. Unlimited democracy could lead to disrespect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

[RightWhale]

Sounds like a bunch of blather. They ought to just say that nobody has a clue.