WHEN superstorm Sandy struck East Coast, President Obama immediately suspended his election campaign, cancelled all prior political or private commitments and was seen steering relief operations, working closely even with states such as New Jersey led by a Republican governor.

In a democracy, politicians have to be seen serving the people and making their welfare and securing national interest the primary objective.

Nobody is above the law, nor can anybody afford to be seen abusing their powers.

This does not mean that there is no corruption in America, but the fact. is that if any member of the ruling elite is caught in financial impropriety or violating any laws, or abuse of office, he cannot escape accountability.

As compared to that, we witnessed that when parts of Pakistan had natural disasters such as floods etc. members of our ruling elite embarked on their foreign junkets, leaving unfortunate millions to face the wrath of nature and consequences of a collapsed infrastructure infected with rampant corruption.

The mere holding of elections is not democracy. It is a system through which people elect individuals to act solely as custodians of national exchequer and collective welfare of the people, working strictly in accordance with laws and accountable for all acts and financial transactions to the people and superior judiciary.

The American president does not en joy blanket immunity for any criminal act, no]’ abuse of power even during tenure of his presidency.

This has been clearly established in the case of President Nixon and again when President Clinton had t o face investigation by special prosecutor for perjury in Monica Lewinsky scandal.

No senator or member of the House of Representative in the US can dare to ridicule the Supreme Court, or even remotely be associated with any activity that is against laws or the constitution.

The founding fathers of US constitution have clearly stated that democracy is rule of laws, not of men.

A.M. TARIQ United States