Web Letters: Obama Visits Africa's 'Oil Gulf'

For what it is worth, I do think Obama has an emotional connection with Africa and would like to see it prosper. His advice that Africans must do it themselves is sound, but I do not think he or any other modern Western leader has a clue about economic or political development. The "scramble for Africa" will continue as long it does not have strong national governments that will defend the interests of their people. These governments must create tariff walls, behind which these countries' natural resources would be used to create industries and jobs for Africans. Weak governments and "free trade" will allow developed countries to rape Africa of its natural resources, and make it depend on foreign markets that are collapsing. Keep foreign companies out, unless they manufacture all of their products from raw materials through the finished product in your country. Jobs and industries create a consumer base and prosperity.

As I don't see any strong governments anywhere in the world, development must be a bottom-up affair. While opinions vary about Israel, I believe the kibbutz is a useful self-development tool for any country. It could be a model for tribal or clan-based development. While its agricultural efforts are well known and useful, there are kibbutz that do manufacturing. I read in Ha'aretz about one that manufactured plastic items.

Africans, and people anywhere, can do anything!

Pervis James Casey

Riverside, CA