In this context, the term "democracy" is actually a red herring. What we are looking for is a form of government that protects the rights of the individual Iraqi citizen. Democracy, while desirable, is secondary to that.

The purpose of our Constitution is to restrict the power of democracy and make it subservient to rigid protection of our rights. This is why the majority of America, which is white, cannot vote to enslave the minority which is black. And ideally, there are many other areas where simply having the majority in favor doesn't get the law passed.

People who think it would be just fine if Iraq voted itself into a totalitarian theocracy are making the mistake of placing "democracy" before freedom.

I'm hoping that whoever is going to help Iraq set up a government is keeping this in mind.

A constitution of some kind would be essential, IMO.

If we end up with a form of government in Iraq that actually protects the rights of religious minorities*, we will have passed a certifiable miracle. One can hope.

Unfortunately, the only thing I can see that would work right now is continued occupation, either by the U.S., a coalition of other nations, or some other group, with the job of protecting Iraqis from each other under a rigid set of rules until things can be settled down. This would involve much hassle, constant tension, and certainly continued terrorism from fringe groups. It has not worked well in other venues, but then a lot of them were U.N. forces, with an allergy to actually using military force when necessary.

I wish there was an Iraqi "Ataturk" out there to bring this about without outside influence, but I can't see anyone like that on the horizon. Including among the Iraqi exiles.

*And since the Iraqi majority, the Shiites, have been royally abused for decades by the minority Sunnis, getting them to buy this concept is going to be a real bitch. Many are thinking of nothing but payback.