We are constantly being bombarded by all the problems in Iraq, the hatred, the differences, the many factions all fighting for power.

Early America faced the same exact problems, the factions were different , rich, poor. Merchants, farmers. Small states, Large states. Most importantly "what kind of government to create?"

The very first government tried by America was a "federal government" the rules were called articles of confederacy" {sound familiar?} Under these articles, there was no chief executive, there were no provisions for taxes being levied or for armies being raised, all motions must be unanimous, hard to do under squabbling states.

The United States were not united at all, just some sovereign states that co-operated AT TIMES!

In 1785 A "continental congress, was called, there were 74 delegates, only 55 showed up at all and only 39 stayed for the four months it took to write the "CONSTITUTION"

So by the amount of time it is taking the people of Iraq to form a government they still have another 5 full years to reach the same accord it took Americans to reach. It was the writing of the constitution that gave us the base of OUR DEMOCRACY! it allowed senators from each state no matter how large or small. This creating gave all states the same voice. It will take time for Iraq to become a democracy, and if a civil war happens as it happened to us here in the states, if they {the iraqies} want democracy enough they will work through it.