What's the first step in setting up an "American-style" democracy in Iraq

No one has mentioned it, at least that I have read. But the Bush Administration seems to think a democracy is based upon "capitalism". That is the cornerstone. All other attributes of a democracy stem from that one idea - the right to make money.

From securing the oil wells, to offering rewards for the capture or death of the former "dictators", it appears they believe that individual greed is the basis for an American-style democracy. Forget freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, etc. It is about capitalism. What else should we believe from watching the "experiment" now taking place in Iraq?

Because it is not really about the "American" idea of democracy that they wish to establish, it is the "Republican" idea of democracy. It is about money. It is about capitalism. It is about greed. Will we be surprised when the Iraqis eventually decide to try another form of government?

with a Parliament...no one's asked them I guess...

If you're going to do it the American way, first you have to kick out your oppressors.

The first step is to insure that the population does not have firepower that would allow them to reclaim assets from the ruling class.

The second step is to insure that the assets are controlled by the ruling class, so that any dissent can be stifled through fear of losing the ability to house and feed your family.

Chalabi is probably talking to Diebold already.