Another thing we Americans should take into account when criticizing the Egyptian political culture is that our government for decades has propped up an Egyptian dictatorship which has crushed a free press, independent civic organizations and the other institutions that make democracy possible.
Few despots are powerful enough to stamp out organized religion, so, when no other means are available, opposition to the dictator often takes a religious form. This was true of Iran under the Shah, it was true of Poland under the Communists.
I don’t say that Egypt would be a well-functioning democracy if only the U.S. hadn’t interfered. I don’t know enough to make a statement one way or the other. I do say the Egyptians and the other peoples of the Middle East would be better off if the U.S. government ceased interfering with their government and politics.
Anyhow, we Americans have a highly dysfunctional democracy ourselves, and no foreign power to blame it on..
The cartoon is by Joel Pett of the Lexington Herald-Leader. Hat tip to jobsanger.
Phil Ebersole's Blog 
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