One vote is all it takes

In this video, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is seen casting a ballot in his one-man presidential election, trying to make the impression that his country is somehow embracing democracy (opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is currently holed up in the Dutch Embassy, fearing for his life as armed Mugabe supporters await him outside).



I don't even see why Mugabe is even bothering to hold an election, his vote he is casting is the only one that matters, and the only one that will count, in his form of "democracy".

I recently read that Americans are less concerned with foreign policy, and are more focused on domestic issues, like the economy...well, in Zimbabwe, inflation has soared to unimaginable levels, unemployment is rampant, and the people are heavily reliant on food aid. Now, when a leader has failed the people in a way like Robert Mugabe has, the people have a responsibility to remove that leader from office. America's problems pale in comparison to Zimbabwe's, but nevertheless, in November, Americans have the chance to chose a leader they believe will be the most productive, whether that be John McCain or Barack Obama. No doubt the percentage who fail to see their candidate elected will take this right for granted.

With Zimbabwe, the options are clear--vote for Mugabe, or risk having a militia come to your home to torture, kill, and dismember you and your family. In the end, it doesn't really matter, because more of Mugabe will bring the latter with it no matter what.

Also, note the mobile phone footage that was taken for this video, where a police chief is seen sifting through the votes of his fellow officers during the election, only approving those that have checked off Mugabe's name.

I suppose this is just another day in Africa...