Comment by Ernest Vafee, Age: 29, Hometown: Bolahun, Liberia

Deputy Speaker, Mano River Union Youth Parliament & Director of Research & Policy, Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia

I am from Liberia ,a country with long historical ties to the USA. So for us here in Liberia,who becopmes the next president of the US matters a lot ,considering that the President of theUnited States has become what is refered to here as ‘the world president’. That the decisions of the President of the United States affects the whole world indicates that we too should atleast have a say in who becomes President of America.

The decision of President to wage war on Iraq has cost the world’s poor their lives especially so when thrillions of dollars that would otherwise feed our continent and the rest of the world are spent on killing and maiming of innocent people in the name of democracy.What democracy is this that millions will perish?

While we may not be voting in these elections,Americans should ,however,respect the opinions of the rest of the world.The decisions they make will certainly shape our world for better or for worst. Americans must come to the realization that their decisions will either put them in harms way like is presently obtaining as a result of Bush’s war in Iraq or will make them citizens of the world like the were during the days of J.F.Kennedy when they were all over the world sharing and caring for humanity through the PEACE CORPS volunteers.

Now is the time for Americcans to redefine themselves by electing a leader that will mend fences with the rest of the world. A leader that will help change minds and attitudes of Americans toward the rest of the world.