We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

This is first few paragraphs of the US Declaration of Independence.

Many Nigerians, if asked to weigh in, would support adopting a wholesale restructure of our Government after the US model. The knowledge most of us have, and which is the reason for support, is truly attributable to the human element of American citizenry – which is clearly embodied in the declaration papers. We are devoid of deep understanding and appreciation of procedural core elements of the American government itself. The citizens are generous, above average accommodating, spirited and are very industrious. Equally they love to entertain and party. They express intheir lifestyles the ideals of freedom, liberty,and pursuit of happiness. But these ideals are not without its struggles. This new problem is addressed by another document called the Bill of Rights – an amendment to the Constitution.

The Constitution itself contains articles which provide the framework and give statutory power for the establishment of government. The articles are written in plain language but often there is division on the interpretation – since the original intent of the drafters is called into question for practical application. In this sense they are said to have “implied” as well as “enumerated” meanings or powers. They can also be applied “narrowly” or “broadly”, depending on the circumstance at hand. The articles of constitution does not guarantee to the citizens those ideals of liberties and rights that the decalaration promised. Hence the need for the amendments – which is the guarantor of rights and protection, in other words. . . . The Bill of Rights draws line in the sand demarcating where the authority and power of the government begins and where it ends, especially when it is a dispute over encroachment on the citizen's right to freedom, liberty, pursuit of happiness.

This amendment has not totally fixed the problem and neither has it satisfactorily secured the citizen’s faith in the promise of the government to respect and stay within its boundary of power. This is illustrative of the immense power granted to the government by those articles in the constitution. It is a constant and ongoing battle between the government and its citizen, each side trying to erode away the power and reach of the other while at same time forcing its own will to expand and grab more powers. The citizens therefore are less likely to cede their rights to gun ownership and will protect it vehemently and passionately in comparison to other rights that they may likely yield to the government on. They see gun ownership as the balance to government encroachment. . . a deterrence so to speak. Without their guns, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness will have no meaning. The declarations says it best . . . .when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government

The American democracy is bulging at the seams but it has been kept together primarily because of this one attribute of the citizen’s clamor for gun ownership. Citizens guns is what has kept America from despotism. It is unlawful to own gun in Nigeria – unless under extraneous situation and in which is subjected to monitoring. Now, with this knowledge, how many of us would still want to adopt the American democracy for our country? How many of us would replace the despotism we have now with a despotism imported from America?

Let’s stretch this democratic structure further. Here are some concepts that have shaped American foreign policy in the past 10years.

2001-2008 Bush and the Neo-Cons

America will demand and deliver, unilaterally or in alliance, through the use of political and economic – and in certain instances military – instruments of coercion to shepherd, restructure and control the socio-economic and geo-political landscape of non-industrialized nations after its own model of democracy.

2009-2012 Obama and the Socialists

America, through dialogue and demonstration of altruistic openness – including transparency in its policies – will in the long term strike a cord of response in which the global community will recognize this act of goodwill and reciprocate with their own high ideals. This interchange will be packaged with long lasting security alliances and co-ownership of the social order. The race for geo-political dominance will cease, cultural values will be less prejudicial and the noble identity of humankind will be based on virtues and not on privileged circumstances or a false sense of superiority.

Each of these policies portray primarily the party platform and has existed, in one fashion or another, with same vision for centuries. Neither one of these visions is suitable for our country. What we have is not the best. . . but before we start inviting the worse, let us see how we can fix the bad.