I am no writer, but I am going to try to offer my perspectives on the state of our republic. When do we begin to discuss the issues that will shape the future? President Bush was a figurehead that read the teleprompter and could repeat simple phrases. We need to campaign against the Republican Party, not against Bush. He is not worth it.
We need to examine the policies advocated by Republicans and the obvious failures of Republican government. At first glance, the word "incompetence" comes to mind Remember Katrina? How is that balanced budget going? The War on Drugs? How about deregulation of the financial industry? How is that working for us? Deregulation of the airlines, good idea? Food safety? Foreign Policy? Would the Republicans prefer more or less democracy? Why does The United States hold the most prisoners per capita, in the most profitable prisons in the world? If the leaders of the three main factions in Iraq were to admit to John McCain that The Surge worked, and the USA won the war, can the troops come home?
Who would replace Dick Cheney as Chief Executive in a McCain administration?
I want to see some discussion of ISSUES. The Repubs have a lot to answer for.
There is so much to write about!
Talk is Cheap - War is Profitable!
The Republicans go out of their way to offend our allies while provoking our adversaries.They practice In-Your-Face Diplomacy based on the some variation of Divine Right of Government. Talk is Cheap... but there is no real incentive to resolve disputes using diplomacy alone. Warfare however certainly has its advocates.
Big Business, Small Government, Big Defense Budget
The K-Street gang has, for decades worked closely with Congress, the Presidency and the business community to help the government to build the greatest, most expensive stockpile of military hardware in the history of the world. The Republican Party advocates small government combined with a tremendous military power controlled, in theory, by this small government.
The Defense Budget is justified as a deterrent, but occasional war is needed to maintain the credibility of the whole system. If no pretense for war can be found, advisors can be sent abroad to show the less fortunate countries the advantages of our weapons systems.
Military Aid is Like Seed Money.
The United States gives free weapons to demonstrate how profitable it can be to stockpile the tools of war. Contractors are hired to transport, maintain and store the weapons. The opportunities for personal enrichment are unlimited for those with the right connections. The new Military bases bring needed jobs, as well as feelings of power and pride in yourself, your god and your country. The flag becomes a symbol of all that is good and true. Military service instills a fierce loyalty to your comrades in arms, to your flag, to the Fatherland (or Homeland or Whatever) We call these feelings Nationalism.
Nationalism
Nationalists can often be identified by an obsession with the emblems, flags and symbols of the country, religion, movement or corporation they represent. Sometimes a simple trinket like a lapel pin can take on enormous importance. In cases of extreme Nationalism, the burning or defacing of any of these symbols can trigger violence or constitutional amendments. As the affliction advances, the Nationalist develops distrust and distain toward people who don’t share the same values. Paranoid Nationalists with illusions of grandeur are among the most memorable military leaders in history.
Warfare for Profit
With the proper armaments, indoctrination and motivation almost anyone can create situations where military force can be used. A war is a tremendous opportunity for profit and the accumulation of wealth for the well connected businessman. As military systems and supplies are used, they create their own demand. Small disputes can rapidly escalate out of control. New customers arise among the various allies and adversaries. Once the customers begin to use the weapons, they need more and more weapons. But now the price has gone way up. They are no longer free. The ideal military conflict, from a profit/loss point of view, is called a "Quagmire." The ideal quagmire would involve a medium sized country containing a lot of underdeveloped resources. Occasionally the country somehow fails to provoke a suitable adversary. Rather than lose the sale, a good Republican can exploit regional, ethnic or religious differences within the client country and inspire the factions to fight among themselves. This ethnic/religious, rather that nationalistic conflicts can drag on for generations, or until the natural resources of the area are depleted. In any case the real winner is the broker that provides the tools of war.
If you read down this far, please take another moment and leave a short critical response.
What idiot thought of sending John Bolten to the U. N.? Bill O’Reilly wasn’t available?