Staceonian Political Party
I do not talk a lot about the Iraq war here. Mostly because I don't know what to make of it. I decided 16 months ago that the main stream media wasn't reporting the whole story, and only recently I've decided that many bloggers are committing the same crime in reverse, giving the administration a pass on the situation there.
Here's what I think, based on some of the knowledge I've gleaned from my readinds and conversations with my parents, who have spent time in and around Washington with people that know things.
I don't think the people in power in Washington want to win. And when I say that, I mean that they are not willing to do what is necessary to win a war. You have an insurgency that is fed by terrorist groups and other countries bombarding both the Iraqi people and the American servicemen. Not to mention the foreign militaries that are still present. You have the amazing capabilities of the US military, and its not being utilized. Why? Because the war isn't popular, and it's hard to move forward and do more when any increase or offensive is taken by the people as proof that we are losing.
Why am I writing this? Because Lindsey Graham, a Republican Senator from South Carolina, is saying things I can not ignore. He is someone I respect, and I always thought his values were good. And he is saying "we are on the verge of chaos." I'm not sure what that means. But I agree that if violence is escalating and more military men and women are dying, than we need to take action to end the violence with all the means at our disposal. Right, wrong or indifferent, our military men are over there, and the powers at be in Washington need to give them a game plan that involves keeping themselves and the civilians around them safe. If they are "staying the course" (a term, I hear, that is being dismissed for PR reasons) and not giving the men and women what they need to win, well then something is wrong.
I value no life higher than an American military soldiers. If the country's leaders aren't even behind our position in Iraq anymore, and our soliders are being left over there with a failed plan, than that's disgusting. I'm disgusted on a number of levels with our government these days, and I don't see any of it changing for the better after the midterm elections. If the Republicans win by some saving grace, than we have more of the same. More pork spending, more misallocation, and no accountability. In the article linked to above, Senator Biden is claiming that two top Republicans are holding their tongues until after the midterms but that they will be demanding a change to the Iraqi strategy afterwards. The claim is that the party is asking Republicans not to make "waves" before the elections as to "not lose any seats."
And if the Democrats win than we'll have the same situation in Iraq, more spending, more misallocation, but a liberal on the Supreme Court. And a repeal of the tax cuts and an increase in taxes in an effort to regain control of the budget. No thanks. Quit building bridges in Alaska and for Heaven's Sake cut off the state of Massachusetts and that ridiculous project that they've had 14 years of earmarked spending for! Other states need roads worked on.
And please, whoever is in office, fix social security. Fix it before it's too late. Do something. Anything. You want to see a graph of the national budget? (from 2005).
20% military
19% discretionary
21% Social Security
20% other entitlements
12% Medicare
21% to one program. A program that's a dinosaur that I and my friends pay for but will never see. I know we need to care for our old. But under the current system when I'm old who will care for me? The program will have been bankrupted by the babyboomers because nobody since their parents has had children as quickly. People my age have dogs not children! Myself included!
I don't know. We're trapped in a merry-go-round. I want to start a new party. Stacy's party. Let's all be Staceonians where every opinion is listened to and valued and we all vote and the Constitution is the law. We have a set amount to spend and we spend it, and we make our education system better by paying teachers what they are worth. If the lottery system can send thousands of kids to college each year, can't a similar system put more money in a teacher's pocket? I don't know. Just rambling now I guess.
I'm reminded of lines from the American President: "Our country has serious issues and we need serious people to solve them."
Any takers?
Here's what I think, based on some of the knowledge I've gleaned from my readinds and conversations with my parents, who have spent time in and around Washington with people that know things.
I don't think the people in power in Washington want to win. And when I say that, I mean that they are not willing to do what is necessary to win a war. You have an insurgency that is fed by terrorist groups and other countries bombarding both the Iraqi people and the American servicemen. Not to mention the foreign militaries that are still present. You have the amazing capabilities of the US military, and its not being utilized. Why? Because the war isn't popular, and it's hard to move forward and do more when any increase or offensive is taken by the people as proof that we are losing.
Why am I writing this? Because Lindsey Graham, a Republican Senator from South Carolina, is saying things I can not ignore. He is someone I respect, and I always thought his values were good. And he is saying "we are on the verge of chaos." I'm not sure what that means. But I agree that if violence is escalating and more military men and women are dying, than we need to take action to end the violence with all the means at our disposal. Right, wrong or indifferent, our military men are over there, and the powers at be in Washington need to give them a game plan that involves keeping themselves and the civilians around them safe. If they are "staying the course" (a term, I hear, that is being dismissed for PR reasons) and not giving the men and women what they need to win, well then something is wrong.
I value no life higher than an American military soldiers. If the country's leaders aren't even behind our position in Iraq anymore, and our soliders are being left over there with a failed plan, than that's disgusting. I'm disgusted on a number of levels with our government these days, and I don't see any of it changing for the better after the midterm elections. If the Republicans win by some saving grace, than we have more of the same. More pork spending, more misallocation, and no accountability. In the article linked to above, Senator Biden is claiming that two top Republicans are holding their tongues until after the midterms but that they will be demanding a change to the Iraqi strategy afterwards. The claim is that the party is asking Republicans not to make "waves" before the elections as to "not lose any seats."
And if the Democrats win than we'll have the same situation in Iraq, more spending, more misallocation, but a liberal on the Supreme Court. And a repeal of the tax cuts and an increase in taxes in an effort to regain control of the budget. No thanks. Quit building bridges in Alaska and for Heaven's Sake cut off the state of Massachusetts and that ridiculous project that they've had 14 years of earmarked spending for! Other states need roads worked on.
And please, whoever is in office, fix social security. Fix it before it's too late. Do something. Anything. You want to see a graph of the national budget? (from 2005).
20% military
19% discretionary
21% Social Security
20% other entitlements
12% Medicare
21% to one program. A program that's a dinosaur that I and my friends pay for but will never see. I know we need to care for our old. But under the current system when I'm old who will care for me? The program will have been bankrupted by the babyboomers because nobody since their parents has had children as quickly. People my age have dogs not children! Myself included!
I don't know. We're trapped in a merry-go-round. I want to start a new party. Stacy's party. Let's all be Staceonians where every opinion is listened to and valued and we all vote and the Constitution is the law. We have a set amount to spend and we spend it, and we make our education system better by paying teachers what they are worth. If the lottery system can send thousands of kids to college each year, can't a similar system put more money in a teacher's pocket? I don't know. Just rambling now I guess.
I'm reminded of lines from the American President: "Our country has serious issues and we need serious people to solve them."
Any takers?
Comments