President Reagan is proud of touting the United States as a strong and free nation. However, the actions of his administration do not support this position.
In the recent Philippine election, President Marcos has very clearly defrauded the people of the Philippines. This mockery of an election has now been recognized by the Reagan administration as a Marcos victory, votes notwithstanding. It is very clear the administration is not concerned with democracy as Mr. Reagan contents; otherwise, recognition of a winner would come only after a fair and accurate counting of the ballots. What the Reagan endorsement is concerned with is strength–or rather, weakness.
When an ”ally” such as President Marcos can compel Mr. Reagan`s approval, it is by weakness, America`s weakness. When the Reagan
administration acquiesces to corrupt elections abroad, it is telling the world of its weakness.
Marcos and this ”historic relationship” boil down to a friendly port for America`s Navy. The statement to the world is that America is weak. After all, only the frightened or the weak will ignore priniciples (such as democracy) in order to keep an edge (such as Subic Bay).
