Restoring Our Security

While our nation has been focused on Iraq and false threats, the government has been neglecting other true, significant security threats such as our infrastructure, ports, chemical plants, electric grids, energy sources, economy, healthcare, communication hubs and water resources.  They have also allowed an unprecedented number of dangerous foods and products to enter the consumer market.

National –

The illegitimate, unconstitutional war in Iraq has encouraged those who hate us to mobilize and recruit more ideological fanatics.  The failure of this administration to utilize the international goodwill generated via September 11, 2001 to address legitimate security concerns has undermined both our standing in the world as well as our ability to fully pursue those who intend us harm.

While our National Guard has been deployed to Iraq, our citizens have suffered through Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and bridge collapses.  This neglect and mismanagement continues to this day.  Their diminished capabilities place our country at risk with every domestic emergency. 

The current administration and Congress sees no problem with paying independent, contract militia thousands of dollars PER DAY to commit atrocities in the name of the United States. (see story) Meanwhile, our heroic military personnel must subsist on salaries that require supplementation with food stamps! (see story) The privatization of our national security threatens our military families and our reputation. Rather, we should be increasing the pay of our patriotic military and offering them strong supports upon their return home. Our loyal veterans should not be waiting months for care and their families should not be subjected to hardship while their loved ones are deployed for ever-lengthening tours of duty.

Economic –

Our exploding trade deficit with the developing nations of China, India and others has put our economy and our American way of life directly at risk. (see story)  If these nations call in our debts, our economy will collapse.  Unregulated trade has allowed contaminated, poisonous consumer products to enter our markets.  Our children’s health has been directly threatened.  The beef recall, unprecedented  in size and scope, is proof that this government has been paying more attention to profits for Halliburton than managing the nation’s health and safety.

We’ve seen the collapse of our housing market due to predatory lending and gross mismanagement of the banking industry.  The government has seen fit to bail out the criminals in the banking industry whose main concerns were the profits of CEOs and shareholders, but who had no regard for families trying to better their lives.  (see story)  When even lawyers cannot understand the contracts used to seduce naïve borrowers, how can one expect the average citizen to comprehend the risks?

The proliferation of payday and auto title loan companies is nothing more than government sanctioned loan sharking.  When annual interest rates are topping 800%, this cannot be construed as a simple loan.  (see story) If organized crime was perpetrating the same profit structure upon the American people, our Departments of Justice, FBI and the Attorney General’s office would all be clamoring for prosecution!  These gluttonous practices have fallen under the radar because it is only the poor and middle class who are being victimized.

Healthcare -

When the richest nation in the world has citizens who must decide between paying for food or paying for medicine, then government policies have failed.  This places at risk the elderly, children and families.  When a child dies because his mother cannot get an abscessed tooth examined and treated, the government has failed.  (see story) When the government won’t permit Medicare/Medicaid to negotiate drug prices with wealthy pharmaceutical companies, the government’s concern is NOT with the people, but is, instead, with the profits of the CEO’s and shareholders.  We, as citizens, should not be forced to purchase our necessary medications from foreign countries, such as Mexico and Canada, just so we can also eat.  Should pension and Social Security monies be benefiting foreign nations or supporting giant international drug corporations or should they be providing a reasonable standard of living for our elders?

Energy –

America has historically been able to overcome all manner of diversity and challenge.  The ingenuity and capabilities of our citizens are responsible for the vast majority of all technological advances since the advent of the Industrial era.  If the energies and intelligence of our people were focused on resolving our dependence on fossil fuels; if we truly unleashed the great minds of our scientific community, we surely could solve our energy needs in a sustainable, responsible and life-affirming manner.  (see story)  New  technologies coupled with innovative uses offer solutions that only need support and encouragement to be successful.

The Bush administration and the rubber stamp Congresses have consistently and patently failed the citizens of this nation these past seven years.  While they were concocting reasons to go and stay at war, our economy has been entering a time of dangerous instability.  Additionally, those true security risks such as our ports and chemical plants are still unwatched, unprotected and rife with vulnerabilities.  I believe our military resources and monies need to be directed towards those susceptible businesses and infrastructures upon which our country is laid.  I would push for more inspection and regulation of goods coming into our country to protect our children and pets from dangerous goods and foods.  I think our funding policies at all levels should reflect the true wishes and concerns of the American people and not simply support the increased wealth of big corporations.