In one important aspect, the new democracy in Iraq is ahead of the older one in the United States -- it is holding its former leader and his henchmen accountable for the deaths of its citizens. The trial and punishment of Saddam Hussein began a process of accountability for the highest cards in the infamous Iraqi deck. In this country, only the lowest cards in our deck have been called into account.
The high cards, the ace of spades (President Bush), the kings (Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle), the queen of hearts (Condoleezza Rice) and etc., have borne no responsibility for the deaths of more than 3,000 soldiers (more than those killed in 9/11) and thousands of Iraqis.
If democracy is to survive in the U.S., Congress must hold the persons represented on our high count cards accountable for their actions.