by Lee Smith
At this time, in this country, one has to ask, what is today’s democracy in the United States?
I find it to be a tough question to answer.
First, I have to think of the last two years and how it has effected everyone on our country economically.
Second, I think of the last 8 years, being under the threat of attack from an enemy that has nameless faces. A group that has forced us into two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Third, I have to look at the results of the first two thoughts.
Let’s face it – the economy has been “readjusted”. The collapse of our banking, insurance and investment systems has forced almost everyone to feel the pain. While our investment accounts took a 50% hit and we have spent Billions of dollars on two wars in the name of what? It was not like a country declared a war on the United States! It was a well funded radical religious group that has a presence in many countries. So therefore, why did we invade Afghanistan and Iraq? Could we have gone about this “war” in another way?
I am still angered and still want heads on a platter for the attack of 9-11, but I have to think about our actions after that terrible day.
What if the US has a group of nut jobs, that goes to China and blows up a large building? Does that give China the right to pursue these whack jobs in the US causing billions of dollars in damage and hundreds of thousands of dead and injured lives. These two wars were started in pursuit of “the bad guys” but were they ever justified to take thousands of lives whether they were innocent or not?
I think we should have empowered our CIA to take subtle action to locate and terminate the guilty parties versus to invade and destroy other countries. To me these last eight years were a complete over reaction by our government, where we could have dealt with this in a smaller, humane and cost effective manner.
We should have identified exactly who was to blame (We do know who is responsible – yet they have not been caught!) and target only those responsible with or without the host country’s approval. Don’t kid yourself, this method of dealing with “problems” still goes on today by many other countries to avoid the pitfalls of expensive wars.
In the meantime, our country is spending money like there is no tomorrow- hundreds of billions of dollars. I had to stop and think, what the hell is our government spending all this money on? The military, the banks, insurance companies, stock market, and auto companies have been the recipients of some of the largest bail out money this planet has ever seen. But is that where the money had gone?
Yes, we have poured billions into two wars.
Yes, we were caught in a perfect storm of financial melt downs.
Yes, the mortgage industry almost collapsed.
Yes, The real estate market was over inflated and dramatically readjusted due the sagging economy and the rapid loss of jobs.
So where did the first batch of 700 billion dollars go that congress approved? I think much of the money spent went to foreign countries through the banks we were bailing out, because they were the largest investors . They too were caught in this vicious banking debacle and they were going to call their markers if something was not done and done quickly. There seemed to be a great deal of backroom meetings and deals brokered between the Financial Entities and Congress.
So realizing that much of this money has “vanished” over seas, more money was required to help those now effected by this collapse.
In the process of the government helping all those losing homes, businesses and unemployment, the costs seem to be shifting to those that have businesses and were wise enough to make good life choices in their jobs and careers. It seems to me the government is choosing to place the burden on the American Companies to help bail out the poor decisions of our politicians.
Our capitalistic society was designed to reward those that took the risk to make products and services that were needed by society. Businesses, both large and small, have always been the target. But why? Why can’t our own government run our country like a business and make it profitable? Why do tax payers and successful businesses have to pay for these two wars, poor financial laws and government mistakes including business leaders whom have not done their jobs.
Why is it that our government, in all it’s splendid audacity, decided that the American Companies, that have helped build this country, must pay higher (more complex) taxes for their mistakes?
I think we need to revise our government – remove all lobbyists, change the campaigning laws and make those in government responsible for placing the public in world situations that seem unwinnable.
I think every government congressman, senator and every employee, should take some form of Hippocratic oath, that they will not do harm, they will not waste tax payer dollars and they will do their best to protect the US citizens from financial affronts, unfair taxes and poorly designed laws. They will do what is right for everyone, not just any private sector whether they are rich or poor. All our laws need to be for everyone and no government officials are above the law or should act like they are.
The next time you vote – choose wisely and ask questions. Straight answers to questions will get my vote.
