Ostensibly, at this point in the history of America, and by extension, the history of the world, we need a staunch defender of the faith or two. As if we didn't know and couldn't have guessed. Who could possibly be our next pres and veep? Hmm. Give up? Oh, come on now. Put on your little thinking cap for just a minute. Which combination of two people have the personal fortitude for perpetuating the necessary fallacious illusion that American "values" are universally applicable? Beep beep. Times up. You're right jelly bean, George and Elizabeth. Bush and Dole, respectively.

Written in January, 2000.We need to pretend that we don't know however. The election isn't until next November. We need to maintain a proper Tatae Mae. Not just for America but for all cultures of the world there is nothing more important than Tate Mae. There is no better choice to pretttify republican praetorianism than George and Bessie. America's strength and resolve in maintaining and extending it's world status quo may be tested. This perfect duo will unswervingly put American interests first throughout the world in the coming decade. Amerika uber alles?

January, 2002. Looks like we were right about the President. Bush went with the same old gang as well with a couple of tokens thrown in. He hasn't done anything surprising yet. In a funny sort of way he is compassionate. He must empathize with us. He has provided plenty of disgusting things about which we can chirp. From day one he reinstated the gag rule while nobody was paying attention. He appears hell bent upon making Armageddon a reality in what's left of our lifetime. And upon curtailing freedom as much as possible. He's committed. He's a hard worker of sorts. He's doggedly determined to point in the wrong direction. He knows we will chirp. Now isn't that compassionate?

Click to enlarge. Whitehouse photo.

"Wa," or peace, harmony, concord, is an great concept. We would be happy to see the concept made universal throughout the world. Contrary to common misconception, Japanese are not monolithic in their thinking. There are many types of people in Japan and what's more, they are very international in their appreciation of the human condition. One may say all inclusive. NHK television rebroadcasts American news programs daily from ABC, CNN, and PBS. Daily international news rebroadcast sources include programs from Canada, Britian, Spain, Germany, France, Russia, Korea, China, Phillipines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and more. At any given time of the day or night you will be able to view material from, by or about many international sources. International is a key concept in Japan.

Japanese are interested in and tolerant of many viewpoints. That's why they have several different political parties. Could you ever in your wildest dreams imagine a socialist party as the second largest party in America? How about a significant communist or libertarian party? In America these are considered much too dangerous. Many Japanese find the narrowness of the American mindset rather amusing. Why not allow a communist party here? Nobody takes them seriously anyway. For Japanese concensus and conciliation are more important than absolutism, conflict and gridlock.

Most Americans who come to Japan bring many unnecessary sacks of cabbage. It always seems as if they would like to change Japan to be more like America. Many Japanese are amused by the griping and complaining voiced by english speaking newcomers to Japan. If you ask them how they like Japan, usually the best they can come up with is that it depends on which day you ask them. They can't understand why Japanese like Japan just the way it is. America is obviously so much better, isn't it? Terry Itoh is a television producer who has written of a distinctly American way of thinking which many Japanese see as condescending, patronizing,and narrow-minded. Of course he sees good points as well. It's just that he would rather see them let go of those particular traits. Shintaro Ishihara would probably agree.

It usually requires several years but, those western foreigners, and especially the Americans, who live in Japan for an extended period of time gradually learn to give up their precious little cabbages one by one.

While we're on this subject, we'd like to suggest that the Japanese change the term "keiretsu" to "networking." It's more nineties and less politically incorrect.

In Japan, the head honcho is selected by a small group. They use the parliamentary form of government just so the cabal of cats at the top can have the option of selecting the prime minister. The Japanese culture has been around for many more centuries than America has been in existence.

The people of Europe and the people of Japan have had plenty of time to get used to the reality that the cabals at the tops, the Erai Hito, direct the activities of societies throughout the world. It's no big deal. It's taken for granted, even if the cabal members cannot be identified individually. Hey, we know atoms exist, even though we can't point at them with our finger. Americans cling stubbornly to their fairy tales. Until recently, the prime minister was changed often. That's because the Americans were in a bashing mood. With no permanent prime minister, agreements could not be signed because nobody knew who was in charge. It was a clever strategy which prevented the prime minister from being coerced into making agreements with Washington which were outrageous, unnecessary, or unpopular with the Japanese people or all of the above.

Who would have ever dreamed that Mr. Obuchi would have been chosen to be the next prime minister? The great majority of folks polled said unequivocally that they didn't like him and didn't want him before he was sworn in. They changed their tune after the economy improved. Remember Soske who? Mr. Miyazawa was a favorite of ours. Mr. Mathau and Mr Miyazawa would probably get along well if they were ever to meet. They are both big picture guys.

These are the top five political parties in the Japanese system of governance.

Liberal Democratic Party

Democratic Socialist Party

Clean Government Party

Communist Party

Liberal Party