U.S. Ambassador Bauer Says Midterm Result Shows Strength of American Democracy

U.S. Ambassador to Belize Andre Bauer says the Democratic Party’s sweeping midterm win, a setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, shows the American political system is healthy.

Democrats secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Bauer said that although the U.S. system has flaws in how it runs government and elects leaders, it remains “one of the best systems in the world”.

“The system was set up by our forefathers so that if you elect a group of individuals, and you feel like they didn’t represent what you expected out of government, every two years you have a chance to have your voice heard.”

Bauer said the result was not what his own party wanted, but that it shows the strength of democracy. “While my party may not have fared like I would like them to, I still feel that our system is healthy, and it’s what democracy is about, and it reinvigorates freedom in a society where people’s voices can be heard.”

He said he hopes it will push leaders to address the immediate needs of the American people, because part of voters’ message was that they want to see results quickly. Bauer said leaders must balance long-term decisions against people’s immediate concerns. He said many voters decide based on how they feel at the moment, which he called a “bumper sticker solution.”

“A lot of folks, they feel pain right now. They think their gas maybe is too high, or they think inflation’s too high. And so even though you may be doing something their grandchildren will benefit from, right now they’re too focused on what, and rightfully so, about how they keep food on the table.”

He said he understands that and that politicians must “find a balance”.