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E-mail a friendYOUNG VOICES
The Other Bush Doctrine
President Bush may not be popular at home, but he is in Africa. The president visited the continent this week and was warmly received by people holding signs saying, "Thank you for helping fight malaria and HIV" as well as, "We cherish democracy. Karibu (welcome) to President and Mrs. Bush," according to an article in Reuters.
Unlike his predecessors, such as former president and current campaigning spouse Bill Clinton, President Bush has made a concerted effort to reach out to the African continent. An article in the Christian Science Monitor reported that Bush's doctrine of "Compassionate Conservatism" is expressed most eloquently by his policy approach to Africa. This policy can easily be divided into three distinct improvements. First, President Bush established Millennium Challenge grants to reward well-governed democracies. Bush has asked Congress to provide $5 billion more for this program in order to promote political stability and peace.
Second, Bush has requested Congress to double the initial funding for AIDS relief (known as PEPFAR) over the next five years. Throwing money at a problem doesn't always fix it, but in Africa, PEPFAR has already provided 1.4 million people with treatment for HIV/AIDS. With the additional funding, the president hopes to increase that number to 2.5 million. Funding will also be used to prevent an estimated 12 million people from being infected.
Third, this administration has increased efforts to get rid of malaria in Africa. Again, the president has asked Congress for more funding in order to distribute 6 million insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent childhood infection.
While more work must be done to bring stability, justice, and peace to the war-torn continent, President Bush has redefined American policy toward Africa. Even if you don't like him for other reasons, there are good reasons to like the work he has done for the people of Africa.