It is possible for people one doesn't agree with to be democratically elected, whether it be here or in a foreign land. Having respect for democracies as a prin

It is possible for people one doesn't agree with to be democratically elected, whether it be here or in a foreign land. Having respect for democracies as a principle means one should accept the will of the people--whether you like it or not--so long as the outcome doesn't abrogate human rights. The U.S. has a sordid history of intervening in the affairs of foreign nations when it suits their interests, from the overthrow of Madero in Mexico in 1913 to interventions in Iran, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, and Congo in later years. President Carter definitely wasn't perfect, but he had a lot more respect for the democratic process than either his predecessors or his successors did.