McCain Better than Obama for Malawi

Sen. John McCain agreed with 90% of President George Bush's policies. This meant that he would have continued the programs that are undertaken currently by the USA in Africa. George Bush through his government has helped Africa more than any other American President. Since 2001, aid to Africa has quadrupled ($1.3bn in 2001 to $5bn in 2008) and Malawi has benefited in many ways from it. Many projects became reality with the help of the American aid. The Election of Barack Obama and the Democrats may mean that some Malawian doctors will not receive any more funding and some hospitals may be forced to treat less patients. Sen. John McCain's pledge to further the Republican agenda meant that the African programs to fight malaria or Aids would have progressed. President-elect Obama's origins do not guarantee that he will help Malawians at the rate that the Republican President did. Just like George Bush, John McCain's policies could have saved millions of Malawian lives. Currently, almost every household in Malawi has mosquito nets which have helped in reducing Malaria, especially in children. The nets were most of the times distributed free of charge or sold at a price that every Malawian could afford. During Bill Clinton's Presidency under the Democratic agenda, mosquito nets were very expensive and not promoted by the Malawian government because of the lack of funds. During the last 8 years, many HIV patients in Malawi have been helped with antiretrovirals (ARVs) that have saved many lives.
For some Malawians in Lilongwe or Blantyre, Barack Obama in the White House represents negative change to their lives. The continuation of the George Bush' policies by Sen. John McCain could have positively benefited Malawians. Many are looking forward to the upcoming Malawi Elections where they will choose between Bakili Muluzi or Bingu wa Mutharika.

C.Phiri Mmalawi