My Thoughts Today
Because I live in a FREE Country...
I have the freedom to speak my mind without repercussion unless I slander someone else; or those that disagree with me and they can express their opinion as well.
After being told that everything was getting better in Iraq and confrontations were at an all time low; now we're hearing that in order to keep them that way we will not be able to reduce the number of troops in Iraq because we would probably lose everything gained. Now the commander in Afghanistan is saying he will probably be asking for more troops to support his war which was more understandable. So even if we have a withdrawal from Iraq, those troops will quite possibly be needed in Afghanistan.
I wonder if it wouldn't be better to spend the billions of dollars being spent in Iraq to try and convert their beliefs to our own; wouldn't be better spent in improving our own problems. There used to be a saying that suggested you need to clean up your own backyard before complaining about someone Else's.
In previous times, everyone wanted to migrate to the U.S. "The land of milk and honey" and even though it required a lot of work they were willing to go through the processes to become citizens. Today many of those same people would see the U.S. as a bully. Power seems to go to some peoples head; and the only answer is to force their will onto anyone thinking differently. Instead of looking for more peaceful means of co-existence we just exert our might and try to force our ways on others.
Our economy is heading in a downward spiral and now we are bailing out the banks and institutions that created the problem. Greed is the beginning of many problems; and has led to the downfall of other empires after about the length of time the U.S. has been in existence.
Our enemies can win merely by letting us continue acting as bullies and just keep coming at us from different fronts. We've already done that several times when we struck out on our own or with a very limited coalition to help. Look at Korea, Viet Nam, even Cuba; these were more police actions basically supported by the U.S. alone.
We had most of the world behind us in the Great Wars and we eventually won in about the same amount of time this war has already lasted. We used to "not change horses in the middle of the stream" which may be one of the reasons for going to war so often. War should be the last thing available and it should be for a better reason than "he tried to kill my dad". Then creating "the weapons of mass destruction" as the reason to start the war based upon poor intelligence. There was conflicting data at the time and the party in power used only the parts that would benefit their plan. Some cabinet members even left because they didn't believe, or agree, with the President and his power group.
I support the troops 100% but not the politics that was behind this war. Politician's supporting the war use fear of terrorist attacks and the idea of not letting the troops killed and maimed be in vain. I wish the politics and war mongers that led us into the war had been smart enough to figure out how to get us out without our tails between our legs. After our initial big push and grabbing minimal control; it was announced by our President, we had won and acted as if only mop up work remained. Maybe we know better today; but it's a little late.
Many politicians now admit that they would like to see a way of ending the war and still maintain some dignity. That planning should have happened before we jumped in with both feet. Where were the voices of reason, and why didn't the politicians in office do some actual intelligence gathering themselves. If one party has too much power the checks and balances of our democracy are gone. The news media was censored so that they couldn't show many of the problems or results being produced.
We didn't capture or destroy the weapons that would be used against us later; and we were spread so thin, the enemy could use guerrilla tactics and keep us completely off guard. In a nation of tribes with different ideas, everyone is armed with everything they need to survive, and these very weapons are being used against us. The tacticians that planned this war should have been fired, or impeached, since they put the U.S. in such a position. There were several commanders retired, when they spoke up against the opinion of the Commander and Chief of the war. Even though he was telling the people, that he was following the instructions of our expert commanders.
The Iraqi's know if they can destroy our economy and discourage enough people; the majority will eventually say "enough" and remove the politicians from power. This was the reason for censorship of the media one thing learned from Viet Nam. Our enemies don't care how much we have to pay in taxes to pay for the war. They know it works in their favor as does the devaluation of the dollar. That is just another way for them to discourage and demoralize us as a nation. Since the war started gas prices have more than doubled and this is putting a squeeze on everything produced since it has to be moved from place to place.
At one time, before we started doing things that angered the Muslim's there wasn't a threat of terrorism to the U.S. The problem really started by small groups of very conservative clerics deciding to take terrorist action against anyone they thought was counter productive to their beliefs. The U.S. took many positions against the beliefs of these very clerics (usually related to Israel). It seems money is no object to these clerics and they support almost anyone that can cause problems for the U.S. and it's allies.
I personally think we need to start taking care of our internal problems and get our economy on better ground before pouring billions of dollars into a war we can't win. If other people see that we are prosperous and quit being looked upon as bullies; we would get more respect and allies from other nations. When the people of the country you are at war with keeps telling you things would be better with us gone; we should start listening. There may be a civil war, but that is there business and not ours, we had a civil war that helped determine our legacy.
Our only real interest is in the oil in the area and we would like to put a puppet group in power as long as they support us and our wants. Of course, it is being sold as looking after the best interest for the country and that is the job of the President by oath. If his party hadn't been in control, he would have been reigned in long before now. The other party gained a few seats, but not enough to override a veto by the President. We still have no checks and balances in place; most times before it was possible to negotiate and resolve problems; now everything is going one way. The rich may buy islands, or live high some where else if we go down the tube. Power corrupts and absolute power absolutely corrupts. What about the rest of us?
The Iraqi people already know this, and will probably let us continue to fight a losing battle as long as we're pouring money into their infrastructure. They will have the same or similar problems when we eventually leave. They have been fighting one another for more years than we've been in existence; I guess that's the reason one Presidential candidate says we may be there for a hundred years. It's always nice to try and tell people that our democracy should be expanded and enjoyed by everyone. I know we enjoy many benefits that other people don't but without education and understanding of the process it won't happen.
Look at Russia, they have given democracy a try, and now it appears they would rather have some more of their old methods and powerful communist in power. I imagine we will begin to see a return to the cold war with them since they have recognized our weaknesses. They can become the super power by merely doing things that hurt our economy and split our troops. The old propaganda machine will start up in the near future from the looks of it. They can point to us as bullies and get more support from the rest of the world and weaken our position; while strengthening their position even more.
Russia has learned at a faster rate than us, and have probably bottomed out, and are now in the process of coming back to haunt us. They may get us involved in some of their power struggles, or civil war, in the name of democracy. We continue to make the same mistakes over and over and seem to think it might produce a different outcome. When will we learn that a free economy is best because of competition not monopolies. Instead, we try to force our will upon others; we talk one game and indicate through our actions another. Greed has led us down a path that may cause our self destruction; we can't allow big business to dictate our actions and think we are free.
Our country was founded by revolution; and there are already militias developing and training in different locations in the U.S. They are only waiting for our government to make the mistake of putting the last straw in place that breaks the camels back. We may find our democracy in a military state with control by those that have planned and prepared to take over. It would be ironical, if we ended up giving up our democracy for one similar to the nations we are at war with by over extending and taxing ourselves and allowing greed to rule.
I was amazed recently when the President held a news conference to discuss the mortgage situation and how the government was going to pump some X number of dollars into the economy by next May, or June, for anyone filing an Income Tax form this year. I was even more amazed when a question was asked about the price of gasoline going up to $4 a gallon and he questioned the interviewer and stated he wasn't aware of anyone suggesting $4 a gallon gas. He went on to say that we were in hard times but that it didn't appear to him that we headed into a recession. He also said he was really surprised about any analyst talking about $4 gallon gas.
How can anyone especially in a position so powerful as the President of the United States be so out of touch with the plight of the common person. He must not listen to anyone but his analyst and himself. If he, and his cabinet, doesn't understand the impact of gasoline prices soaring on the nations economy; we are in truly dire straights and need to find some that are in touch with the reality of the real world.
Doesn't he, and his cabinet, realize that he is jeopardizing the United States position in the world. We continue to devalue our dollar and it in turn will eventually catch up to us and the foreign wealthy will be in control. As long as we continue to spend at the rate this President and his cabinet have spent; it's just like a second mortgage on your house. It's just like having a credit card for the government, and without some measure of discipline in its use, it will lead us to a position of a third world country given enough time.
What is a third world country?
It depends on the definition applied.
My definition:
It is a country that does little for its people and their place in the world. The dictator, or government, does nothing or very little to help the common citizen. There is very little or no infra-structure such as schools, sanitation, hospitals, roads and transportation to name a few. In many cases you will find two classes the very wealthy in power, and the very poor. It is much like slavery, the money and economy is controlled by the wealthy, and just enough wealth spent to keep the poor alive and producing more profit for the wealthy.
Ignoring, or being unaware, of what is happening in the United States and it's economy until it has already happened is a big mistake. Gasoline prices have driven up the cost of almost every product we produce and use. The additional money spent buying gas reduces the spending available for other items. The people have a couple choices, do without, or charge it to a credit card, or worse yet take out a second mortgage just to try and maintain some small part of their previous life style. Wealth can't be the only measure of a successful person; unless greed is the driving force.
Now, we are looking at alternative energy and throwing money at it. Even though I have empathy for the plight of the farmer, I can foresee another ripple through our economy for a product called food. Both feed for animals and that actually includes us use grain. That is also what is being discussed for use mainly for bio-energy that will have a minimal impact on gas prices; it shouldn't take long for this to lead to shortages of grain as well. It has already changed the amount of land being used to create the grains needed for this type production; because since it is tied to the oil shortage the industry can claim the same shortage and use the increased demand for increasing prices.
The President and his party made sure the large oil companies would be subsidized for searching for more oil here and abroad. The reasons given the citizens was how little gas is available and how much demand there was for gas. Some time ago large oil companies decided that it would be too costly to replace the refineries that produced our gas and they shut down numerous facilities. It is this type short term thinking that keeps leading us and our government to waste even more money; it requires long term planning and keeping a clear head and maximizing flexibility to remain solvent in today's world. When oil was available they didn't have the refineries to convert it to gas to meet the demand. If weather threatened, or an accident happened at any facility, gas prices immediately jumped and the final consumer had to pay for the oil companies past speculation.
Where does the government go to find answers to the questions?
Why of course the industry themselves...
Every business or industry is looking for shortcuts to ways for them to make more profit at the least expense. Getting the government to give them privileges, or subsidies, to increase their business is a top priority for industry and large business. Some Industries will spend millions, maybe billions, trying to make a quick buck and the government seems to be just waiting for the chance. Lobbying for unfair advantages is corrupting what has been a very good system for many years. It may be a good reason to limit terms of politicians; at least the companies would have to buy favors more often. Once corruption begins it is very difficult if not impossible to stop.
In industry today, the bottom line determines everything, this is in most cases short sighted thinking. CEO's are paid big dollars for doing what? Finding ways to show that the bottom line has improved and the shorter the time the better and lobbying has increased year after year. This is a greed complex and isn't good except for the greedy or those wanting a quick fix. We still have some old and long time businesses that have succeeded in making money and surviving. They made long term flexible plans and continued to work at achieving those plans until they were accomplished.
Today, I believe even those companies are being forced to compete with unethical companies using creative accounting to profit (ENRON was a good example). The government jumped right in and used these executives as advisers for that industry until things started collapsing. Then it immediately moved to distance itself from previous friends (birds of a feather flock together). Politicians are experts at diverting everything away from them; some are just better than others.
You don't hear much about the Vice President today after the connections to a large oil company and its subsidiaries were introduced and all the profiting from the war were announced (well that and shooting a friend). It is these type cases that introduces the possibility of corruption and possibly the end to civilization as we know it today; if our citizens allow it to continue.
I believe that in an economy where competition keeps businesses honest; instead of some being subsidized or stabilized by the government. Taxation should be without loop holes and paid equally by all concerned. If the government allows lobbying by large business or industry; it must be for the good of the United States and all its citizens. There should be no substantial increase in price, or reduction of privilege, to customers of said industry for accomplishing the task they wanted to be reformed or subsidized. There should be a moratorium on any excess profits being made or received by such companies until such time that the government and all its citizens have received the benefit of any measure undertaken that would improve said company or industries position (this used to be called win, win).
Increases of 40 billion dollars a quarter in profits seems a little extreme and yet it's not gouging according to outside sectors stating government information. We used to have a government that would have been asking some pretty strong questions about such things. Today, they go to the industry and any answer is OK (well the demand is greater and that drives prices). The IRS, and a few other agencies, in times past would have been looking at where the 40 billion dollar profit came from. Our government is asking OPEC to increase supplies, no wonder OPEC (they can read also) won't increase supply; they are being left out of largest (without effort) portion of the pie.
When the President and his cabinet takes action without being aware of the impact affecting our economy and the outcome that may result; where did they go to school? Did they attend class, or maybe it was a private school being subsidized as a public school. Only the teaching is aimed at creating wealth, not equality for the countries citizens and having a lessons aimed at the three R's.
I support our troops and always will; but I question the reason for the war. Initially it was because of the evidence of "weapons of mass destruction" that led to passage by our legislature to go to war. Then, we didn't find any such weapons; the reason shifted later to "keeping the enemy on the run" so they couldn't attack us. Reason enough for most, but the threat is still there and real; our enemy spends a great amount of time planning. Then implementing their plan, they don't seem to care how long it takes, only the outcome. They are aware of the fact we haven't successfully completed any action we started or was involved in since WW2.
I was in the service during the Viet Nam era and was spit upon and cussed at by people for years after that conflict. I think this actually banded together the Nam vets; the only thing we could do was continue forward. I started to say that every other group of vets were praised when they came home from the GREAT wars. That isn't actually the case, all conflicts and police action vets since WW2 was looked upon with disfavor because we didn't cause a surrender of the opposing force. It was a negotiated settlement or just outright retreat however you look at it; we didn't win.
We decided after WW2 that we wouldn't ever need to fight another war; and began adopting several laws and treaties that allowed our hands to be tied. In part this happened during my generations time; the flower children and peace movement. We began developing communes and followed the doctrine of a few peace minded individuals. This actually led to tying one hand behind our back; our military can't use the same tactics of our enemy. We must show the world how we are humane and won't stoop to the level of our enemies. The no win situation; as long as an enemy can torture, dismember and use any tactic to demoralize our troops.
Then they use the same as propaganda of how they are beating us time after time and also allow them to recruit to their great cause by beating the Americans. President Truman made a very hard decision, aware of the awesome power of atomic weapons and the affect upon the people bombed. It took 2 and the end of the war was immediate; the Japanese still avoid the idea of creating a strong army.
Has anyone noticed that Russia is back and making obvious shows of their power again in Red Square? They are experts at "cold war" and know that while we are distracted on other fronts; they can jump right back and become a major power again and begin making demands on us. Our troop level is at the lowest level in years, that's the reason we had to send our National Guard troops into the conflict in Iraq. The longer this goes on I suspect it will become more difficult to recruit in either the regular service or the National Guard. Especially, since it has become so unpopular in the general population. Now, we have started losing some of our most staunch allies and will have to take on more responsibility in the war.
Our politicians are scurrying to find a way to save face after voting for the war, our president knows if we back out now we will have lost all hopes of having a say in the region. This will place him in a bad light in history because he promoted and sold the war to the legislature and it fit into some powerful lobbyists best interest. I remember seeing part of a speech on TV, he made in Texas, before some convention and he stated we would have $3 to $4 a gallon gas before the end of his term. That has stuck in my mind for some time now; and he accomplished the task, but at what cost. If the major oil companies were actually patriotic I would think they would be making some concessions toward the war. Maybe offering to transport their product to the locations needed and providing their own protection.
The large oil companies is the straw that broke this camels back. I have always been an advocate of independent thinking and de-regulation until recently. When I study the situation that has developed over the last few decades; I don't like what I see. Maybe it is the reason that our past friends are looking away and not willing to follow our lead. Money seems to always come up in every discussion, maybe not directly, but it does seem to be the motivating factor. This was pointed out to me some time ago while serving in the USAF; we were training foreign friends military men.
One night while on duty with one of them, a German, we were discussing politics of both countries. He was genuinely sorry about the WW2 government and he wasn't even born at that time. He said, that his parents and many others just sat back and let the Nazi's take charge and for a while it seemed everything was going in their favor. Then, in the end, they all lost almost everything and it forced them to pick themselves up and start over. Most countries and their politicians look for handouts from the United States; and see it as trying to buy friends.
Our occupation and dollars actually rebuilt their country into a strong economy and all looked well again. Except, we kept sending money as the answer to all problems instead of educating and sending some of our good old "Made in the USA" products. It actually corrupted their newly elected politicians as they tried to figure out ways to pocket most of the money received from the USA. The money that was suppose to relieve some of the desperation of the population was actually being pocketed by their politicians. It took them several years to actually begin the rebuilding and most of it was controlled by the original politicians the US forces backed. Those same politicians and families are the very rich in Germany. This gave me a whole new set of circumstances to think about.
Forty some years later, I see the same thing happening today in our own government, our answer to everything is giving money to resolve the problems. Yes the government gives small subsidies to some good programs as well, but it is nothing compared to our trying to buy friends. Have you ever noticed how people flock to someone that is giving them something for nothing? What happens when the money quits flowing? Does that same flock remain? I think not...
What aggravates me is they increase prices on anticipated use a good example was the labor day weekend. There was another refinery put back on line and speculation of another player improving and opening another refinery. The price of gas shot up around 20 cents per gallon about a week before the labor day weekend. It may be time for regulation something I have always been against; but the oil companies and the energy industry have gone beyond normal profit. Each and every quarter most have shown record gains and profit, good for share holders but not for the average consumer.
It used to be, that new start ups would come in and create gas wars, trying to grab some market share. Competition is what keeps free enterprise working and always improving; when it's gone so is the best of capitalism. The large oil companies have swallowed all the new start ups and as long as they are making record profits why compete. They have their "industry discussions" and nothing points to changing anything; smells of monopoly to me. Of course, they are large lobbyists and our politicians know which side the bread is buttered on; and the FTC won't or don't do anything where the big money is concerned. It is also about time to consider limiting how many terms any politician can remain in office.
This is another area I was against but it seems that each and every year our elected officials ignore public opinion; or plan on swaying it using mega amounts of money. This just keeps the same set of situations going on and on; someone, I think it Einstein, made a statement that makes since to me. You can't expect to see different results using the same methods over and over; not exact quote but you get the idea.
Sorry about the soap box, but I think the general public needs to take some control of our lives instead of just riding along. There are a few large industries (lots of money) and lobbying dollars that control our legislatures. You can't really blame them because these mega industries will poor millions of dollars into making sure an independent thinker is defeated.
The opinions stated here are mine and maybe mine alone; but I feel they need to be expressed. I don't side with any major party or their platform; our political system in the United States used to accomplish more and usually better conclusions when negotiated settlements were agreed upon. That gave us somewhat of a check and balance system and kept us from either the far right or far left. It's kind of like a pendulum probably somewhere closer to the middle fits the majority of the people. I vote for the person that I feel will do the best job of representing my opinion; the party has nothing to do with it.
