I refer to the letter ('Of the 'Great Satan' and good for nothing Muslim leaders', Nov 7) and would like to point out that most American policies are made within the framework of democracy.

Malaysian and most Asian states are not true democracies (who said you have to be democratic?) and thus will not truly understand how the American system works unless one has spent some time there in the heartland, watching and listening to the American experience.

I am a Malaysian who has made US my home for the last 23 years and have felt more welcome here than being in Malaysia. Most of the policies made in the Congress have benefitted me even though I am still a Malaysian. It is not made just by a chosen few.

Which country does not pursue its own interest? The USA just happens to be the biggest economy and military power in the world. If that is the case we need to work around it, instead of running planes into skyscrapers.