[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4881-H4882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        AMERICAN IDEALS ADMIRED

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share some good news about 
America's number one export: our ideals of democracy, freedom, and free 
enterprise.

[[Page H4882]]

This is from a new survey by the Pew Research Center for the people and 
the press. In contrast to harsh criticism often heard from U.S. 
bashers, both here and internationally, this survey of 66,000 people in 
44 countries over 2 years reveals that the majority demonstrates strong 
preferences in seeing democratic governments formed in Muslim 
countries. Also majorities in 33 of the these 44 countries believe 
people live better in a free market, even if it leads to wealth and 
income disparities.
  According to this survey: ``This is not to say that they accept 
democracy and capitalism without qualification, or that they are not 
concerned about many of the problems of modern life. By and large, 
however, the people of the world accept the concept and values that 
underlie the American approach to governance and business.'' This is 
also good news for the people of Iraq.

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