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Look Whos Happy Now By permission from the Endpiece column, Summer 2005 Centrepiece magazine, Centre College, Danville, KY. A photo accompanying this article includes Suzanne Wells, Kentucky/Aussie daughter of David and Ruth Wells of College Park, Columbia, KY. Ms. Wells is a 1977 Adair County High School Graduate and a 1981 graduate of Centre College. Dr. Duff Watkins Rep. Ben Chandler doesnt know it, but he is sitting between two former candidates for Prime Minister of Australia. I know this because, after graduating from Centre, I moved to Sydney years ago. Now I find myself lunching with Ben and three other Congressmen who are happily off the 14 hour flight from America. Central Kentucky is heavily represented at the table. Theres Ben, myself, and Suzanne Wells, another Centre grad. That makes 3 Kentuckians, 3 Congressmen, 2 possible Prime Ministers plus some embassy staff. If the conversation turns to basketball, well dominate. Ben heads a congressional delegation thats here to further the Free Trade Agreement between the US and Australia. No junket, this. Today the US has a Free Trade Agreement with exactly one other country. Australia will be the second. Its a big deal Down Under. Personally, Im only here to get inside info about US politics. Because Im a dual Aus/US citizen, Australian media ask me to explain the American electorate. Other than sounding American and studying Government at Centre, my qualifications are slim. Plus Im a Democrat, so what do I know? The Democrats just lost every seat but the toilet. Still, I need answers. So over appetizers I cut to the chase: Hey fellas I ask, whats on Americas mind? Not the economy or foreign policy, came the reply. In the recent election, says Ben, Americans voted against their economic interests. Adds Mike from Arkansas, every 60 seconds the US spends $1M more than it takes in but nobody wants to discuss it. One Congressman was advised by a top political consultant to talk only about your church, your wife, your kids, and your love of hunting. If time remains, mention the economy. So I did, he said, and received standing ovations and got re-elected. He grimaces, It could make you cynical. Lets be frank: the world does not understand Americans. Around the globe Americans are seen as parochial, insular, and led by a President who doesnt get out of the house much. Some Congressmen, laments Mike, brag about not having a passport. Not these dudes. Take Ben. Hes the grandson of Kentucky Governor Happy Chandler (who, incidentally, saved the football from Centres 1921 football victory over Harvard) and is no stranger to the world. He is widely read in world history, once worked for a member of the British Parliament, and has represented the US in Pakistan and now, Australia. Pretty good for a Bluegrass boy. All four Congressmen know that on Sept 12, 2002 the US possessed enormous goodwill across the planet and have now blown it. They know the US is vilified overseas. "When so many people abroad view us as the Great Satan, says Ben that's scary." The world is absolutely tiny. he says, To defeat terrorism, we need the rest of the world on our side." Congressman may represent small towns but these four grasp the big picture. Personally, I love these guys. Theyre smart (Jim Cooper from Tennessee is a Rhodes Scholar), sincere, and professional. They sacrificed family time to learn more about the world. If these four are the future of US politics, Im feeling good. Its ironic. Ben and the Australians sitting on either side of him are here today only because they lost elections. The Australians failed to become Prime Minister; Ben failed to become Governor. The Australians went on to become Ambassador to the US, date Shirley McLaine, and head the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. Ben became a Congressman. See, losing is not so tragic. (Ok. Listening to Shirley McLaine is tragic. But the rest is good.) Ben fails to become Governor of Kentucky but now sits on the House Committees for International Affairs and Homeland Security. Wrestle with the state legislature or represent the US abroad and dine with diplomats? Easy choice. Hey, look whos happy now. As Kentuckians abroad, it makes us happy too. Dr. Duff Watkins ( The Congressional delegation to Australia:
This story was posted on 2005-08-02 09:04:55
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