The Election in the Philippines
As a U.S. citizen whose native country is a corrupt dictatorship, I take special interest in the Philippines presidential election. Americans often take for granted the freedom and choices this country provides. The United States has a responsibility to encourage democracy and human rights which supersedes its short-term conflicts of interest.
Ferdinand Marcos has made a farce of the Philippines election and insulted the U.S. insistence on a fair election. The hopes of people aspiring to democratic government in such countries as the Philippines, Chile and Paraguay are dashed when the United States closes its eyes to such corruption and fraud.
The United States must support democracy, not individuals.
ZULEMA G. HOKANSON
Olivenhain
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