Once again the U.S. faces another hurricane (Gustav) landing on land in Louisiana that has yet to fully recover from hurricane Katrina. The big easy has not had it too easy of late. Then we have the political conventions… an organized party that requires one or even no ballots. This is not new for either party. In the decades of the conventions there have been maybe a dozen that required more than one ballot. It really isn’t very exciting. I watch because it is my duty as a registered voter but I always feel that something is lacking.
I find that I am tired of 10-second sound bites. I am tired of 30 to 60 second advertisements that are about who will and won’t increasing taxes, Christian morality, abortion and are you a real American. Okay I am about these issues but I have some more burning issues that I want answers too.
First lets talk about this conflict in Iraq. It has been called a war but if I remember correctly from my history and political science classes there was not a formal declaration of war. The President goes before a joint session of congress and asks to declare war. Then again it has made for interesting names of war. I am sure you remember “Police Action” and “Armed Conflict”.
These words sound ever so much more pleasant than war. I am sure that the American soldiers who served in Vietnam agree. The 8,700,000 who served and the 153,000 wounded, the 58,200 killed and the 1,900 missing in action are sure that the verbiage was exceptionally important. Please do not forget the North Vietnamese Army that lost over 1 million soldiers.
What ever your opinion of Iraq we are there. There is no turning back at this point. I want our soldiers home I will not lie about this fact. I also do not want to leave a gaping vacuum in the Middle East. I also DO NOT WANT TO INCREASE THE NATIONAL DEBT!!!!!
Did you know that the current debt is $9.5 trillion that is roughly $31,600 per capita? Now what if we are paying simple interest of 6% on the debt that is $5.7 billion a year in interest alone. Do you see a problem with this?
Let me add what countries we are in debt too. Yes they are owners of this debt. Let’s look at the numbers (these numbers are in billions)!
Japan 592, China 502, United Kingdom 251, Brazil 149, Luxembourg 84, Hong Kong 63
and let us not forget Russia at 60. Do not think that we will not sell ourselves to poorer counties India owns 10.5 of our debt. I have not heard that in a sound bite have you? Add to this that the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the war in Iraq will cost $2.4 trillion dollars by 2017.
HELLO this is an issue! I really haven’t a desire to see a sushi restaurant were the Lincoln Memorial once stood!
Now lets add unemployment. No one wants to be unemployed even now it is more important. If some one does not work they do not buy. You cut back. Now you have spread your lack of dollars to others. Local business suffers, service industries suffer, and there is no one paying taxes! You remember taxes they will cover the 5.7 billion in interest that must be paid this year. It is like in our real lives make your minimum payment but you will never pay off the debt…. Well maybe in 4 million years of minimum payments the federal government will be debt free? Of this current debt of course, but the government cannot not borrow another dime and hopes that no one calls in any of these loans….
My last concern for the candidates is infrastructure in the grand U.S. of A. You know those simple things we take for granted. Roads, bridges that do not collapse, water that is free of multiple bacteria, viruses and genetic altering pollutants. Lets add safe waste disposal and parks. I would really enjoy equal access to education and healthcare.
Now back to the acceptable subjects of the elections year.
Taxes! I am sorry people but bills must be paid so prepare your self for taxes. No way around it and if you are one who thinks “those people” need to get off welfare you should do a little research on where your tax dollars go.
Family values and Christianity… Isn’t it funny that this country was founded by a group of people who left their country to worship freely? The puritans left England so that there was a separation of church and state. You do know that Queen Elizabeth is the head of the Church of England? This is not a country of conservative Christians. It is a country of many faith and beliefs. This is not going to change and no one came make everyone the same. You may want it that way but it just isn’t going to happen!
Abortion, this is a highly emotional issue. I appreciate all aspects of this. This is a deeply religious and faith based issue. I will never say to someone do or don’t have an abortion. I do trust that a woman in this position would look to herself, her pregnancy and her faith for an answer. Will I dictate her choice no? Will I dictate mine choice? Yes, I will.
A real American?
According to Article Two of the Constitution a Presidential candidate must:
be a natural-born citizen of the United States;
be at least thirty-five years old;
have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least fourteen years.
So lets look at McCain and Obama
McCain Born in Coco Solo Naval Air Station Panama Canal Zone
Obama Born in Hawaii
McCain Twice Married
Obama Married
Education
McCain U.S. Naval Academy
Obama Occidental, Columbia, Harvard Law School
Religion
McCain Southern Baptist upbringing Episcopalian
Obama United Church of Christ
Net worth
McCain 40 million
Obama 1.3 million
Years in public office
McCain 27 years
Obama 10 years
They both qualify as Americans! Both are Christians. Both are educated. Both have some money in the bank. Both are married and have children. Who knew?
What I do not need is a sermon from candidates about their faith. I have a pastor for sermons. I do not need a slick ad on television telling me the faults of candidates...I am not referring to their political faults or political values but “they” are not this that and the other. I do not need a 10 second sound bite to tell me anything. My issues are many in this election and I want some answers! No platitudes, please give me facts!
Sigh….maybe the religious right is correct. We need a God fearing man who is also in command of tremendous faith. With the mess our (yes Americans) personal lack of responsibility, racism, religious zealousness and lack of compassion have lead us to we need an out and out miracle to get out of this mucked up mess of a government! Funny I thought that intellect, negotiation and wisdom would lead my government which came from the inner faith and strength of the elected officials. So naïve….
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