It has been fashionable around the world to whip America for almost every ill in the universe. Under George Bush, “The ugly American” got tarred with more ugliness. The recent Presidential election has forced a lot of people to look at America from another vantage point.

It is a tribute to their maturity that Americans rose above hardened and deep seated prejudices of race and colour and voted for someone – virtually unknown till two years ago – on the basis of the content of his character and policies.

Almost the entire country was galvanised along a common agenda during this election. Through out the 50 states the issues they talked about were the same – economy, health issues, energy, wars in Iraq and Afganistan, security, war against terror etc. These common issues united the states of America into a land sharing the same dreams and fears – a very cohesive and proud nation.

There is a lesson we could learn from the American politicians and leaders. Not a speech of theirs ends without invoking God’s blessing on America or speaking about the greatness of America with a great deal of pride. The ideal of America, “not as a collection of red or blue states, but as the United States of America”, is what unites politicians across the political divides.

Sadly, our politicians harp on what devides rather than what unites Indians. It is a common enough sight in our country to see them resorting to the most lethal means to pit brother against brother.

The elections were on the whole free of bitterness or rancour and neither Mc Cain nor Obama whipped up mean, ugly phantoms to get them votes. McCain conceded the election paying glowing praise to Obama for the way he ran his campaign.The President elect was equally effusive about the heroic status of the vanquished – a  great example of grace – under victory or defeat. It is living examples such as this which breathe life and humaneness into the sinews of the collective culture and ethos of a nation.

The right to prosperity, happiness and freedom of Joe The Plumber or Obama’s rise to the top  symbolise the reality that regardless of the origin or status of an individual, his or her right is protected. And, it is awe inspiring to see the extent to which the entire country would rally behind an individual whose rights have been trampled upon. The lesson not to be missed here is, bringing about a climate of freedom and hope in the collective psyche of a nation presupposes the right of the individual.

Americans would dump into the waste bins of history any politician with an unclean, corrupt or unsavoury reputation, or someone with a broken family. Many eminent politicians such as Clinton, Nixon or Edward Kennedy just could not withstand the scrutiny of the high moral standards expected of them by their countrymen. The irony is that Americans themselves have many broken homes, while Indians are known to protect the sanctity of wedlock. In the world’s most populous democracy on the other hand, leaders of dubious backgrounds and character are the norm than the exception.

It is time we stopped “America bashing” and started looking inward. That way there are good chances we may cleanse our polity and society. And then display to the world the attributes and accompaniments that should belong to a spiritually alive nation which we are famed to be.

Till that happens, let us salute the Americans. They have some stuff.

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