The W in Woe

I’m a political moderate/centrist. My liberal friends think of me as being of conservative leanings, while my conservative friends think I’m rather liberal. I prefer to think of myself as unaligned with any specific dogma. My policy choices are born of conscious decisions instead of saying that since I’m such-and-so so my beliefs are such-and-so–I prefer making up my own mind, thank you veddy much. I use this all as a preface to say that the opinions that follows aren’t born from some recitation of any established rhetoric. In fact, I generally like to keep my views localized to a small group of friends and family (who only agree with me, like, a third of the time). But…sometimes you have to speak up.

It is my fervent hope that there is a sea-change in the political tide of this country in this year’s election, and in the presidential election in a little over two years. More importantly, the PEOPLE need to be more responsible for thinking about their choices (which hasn’t been the populace’s strong-suit of late). Both political parties are so polarized at this point that the solutions each proposes are almost equally bad. Much of this is due to overly influential companies and policy lobbyists, but a fair share of the blame I place on the faith sector which encourages the people to abandon thought for dogma–who favor a particular world view (theirs) over looking at broader pictures and changing realities.

The fact of the matter remains that the G.O.P. currently runs the federal governmental roost. Based on the priorities shown since 9-11, I’ve increasingly come of the mind that this evolution of the Republican party could now be reasonably described as Group Of Paranoids. I’m not minimizing the risks exposed with the attacks in 2001, but the resulting actions were even worse than I pessimistically expected.

We’re mired in an unwinnable war. A war that never was winnable not because it was based on a false reason, but because there was never any real goal. And the terrible legacy isn’t that over two thousand American troops (and way more Iraqis plus other nationals) have died for this vendetta, but that the U.S. and the rest of the world is much less secure than it had been (or probably would have been had we done nothing). The "war on terrorism" has done little more than breed more terrorists and give them more reason to fight. The only reason members of the current administration haven’t been brought up on charges or impeachment is because of the large majority of like-minded rubber-stampers protecting their own small interests in the Capitol.

The latest budget sent to Congress–which should be called a budget suggestion, since the executive branch isn’t supposed to be unduly influencing the purse-strings–increases the deficit, ups the military spending (because that is our number one priority, so we are told), and pays for all of this by taking away support from the people. The president keeps insisting on making permanent (PERMANENT) his ill-advised tax cuts and the "Patriot" act, and other narrow personal agenda items. Why are the military expenditures necessary? Because this administration made them necessary. I’m hesitant to call them "war mongers", but they certainly have a penchant for wanting to solve all problems with military options.

Currently, a lot of the liberal press is starting to call the Bush administration fascist. They even post a list of fourteen characteristics of fascism. As this was written after 9-11, I take it with a grain of salt. Whether or not it was intended, there is the distinct odor of agenda by the author. Even so, it’s an important consideration. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the right-wing policies have led us into fascism, but I’d have a hard time arguing against the fact that many of the elements are in place. The current situation, and the items the president and his inner circle continue pushing for, certainly suggests that the United States is in a proto-fascist position. It wouldn’t take too much to tip things over the edge.

The fact of the matter is that it’s time for the U.S. to step back and re-examine. Isolation certainly isn’t the way. The world doesn’t allow for that any more. We do need a strong military–but one that is actually used in response to reasonable invitation and defense–not one used to conduct policy. We need leaders who recognize that the Muslim world isn’t populated solely with hoodlums and terrorists (though the Islamic nations would do well to start policing their own–the perception is quickly turning into reality). If we’re going to allocate $200 billion for some large international project, it should be to stabilize Africa and South America through aid, diplomacy, and intervention (when necessary to stop genocide and similar atrocities). Wouldn’t we be safer, wouldn’t our borders be more secure, if we actually tried to make friends and allies, instead of bullying the ones we have (for now)?

Closer to home…if we truly are going to let no child be left behind, then shouldn’t we actually fund education? Shouldn’t we learn better how to teach our kids? The United States, for all its apparent resources, really sucks at this. And not just education. As the elderly live longer and healthier, shouldn’t we be finding ways to continue to provide a reasonable quality of life, instead of saying only the wealthiest deserves access?

I find it frustrating that being a Christian (or a Jew…if we have to) is becoming a de facto litmus test for running for office. What happened to wanting a multitude of views so as to serve ALL of the people, not just those who agree with us? I’m not saying that personal faith isn’t important and a critical source for moral guidance, but it shouldn’t be the defining characteristic for voting people into office. This is where I have a major problem with many of the population. Vote for the best person. Vote for them not because they have the backing of a certain political party, or because of their faith (just because a candidate proclaims themselves to be a Christian doesn’t mean they aren’t an asshole…same goes for atheists and everyone else in between), but because they are the best person. Vote for someone who will look out for the grander ideals of the country, instead of the of-the-moment wants of special interests or fads of the day.

I’m hopeful that some reason can filter its way back into the American government. 2005 gave some hopeful signs, but the power in Washington is tilted too far in one direction. Historically, it’s always been a bad idea for Congress and the Executive branch to be controlled by the same party (doesn’t matter which party). Rubber-stamp governance leads only to the "dark side". It’s time that Americans take back their country. If we fight a war, lets fight one that is righteous, not one because we are self-righteous. It’s time to take a fresh look at our priorities. If we want to lead, then we should do those things that make us worthy of being followed. Sadly, the president and a select few of his inner circle seem more content to play soldier and help their personal friends. I think it’s time to kick the opportunistic bullies out of the schoolyard.