U.S. Finally Focusing Efforts on a Big Problem In Afghanistan War

This article is all over the place by now, I just thought I would share anyways. The NY Times reports that the U.S. military would "escalate military activities inside Pakistan" utilizing special forces. We all know that these special forces have been operating in that theater since we went over there in 2001. So why make this escalation public? Probably because their "escalation" will produce results that will make it harder to keep out of the media's microscope. One thing is for sure: no matter how much you may hate Obama, he has delivered what he promised in his campaign for the presidency: a steady draw-down of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. And our security has not decreased as a result of it up until now. Click here to read the full article from the NY Times. 

Take Our Country Back?

I have heard that phrase used again and again in recent days and weeks.  That Tea Party battle cry is getting used more and more as the elections approach, and it has me asking a few questions.  I know I'm not the first one to question exactly what that phrase means, but until I hear a cogent and rational answer from those who say it, I feel that it is every voters' responsibility to keep asking.

First of all, who has taken our country from us? Democrats? Big government? Socialists? Black people? The people who say "we need to take our country back" are, I think, intentionally vague about this.  What I can't figure out is why they are vague about it.  Is it because more specificity would limit who they can blame for America's problems? Would it make them seem prejudiced? I don't know, but I sure would like to.  Also, aren't the likely culprits who stole America...uh...American themselves? Even the most leftist Pinko Commie who wants to bring down all things capitalist can be an American.  Isn't that what one of the things being an American is all about? How is this country more the Tea Party's and less theirs?  Isn't it more American to have a confluence of many different ideas rather than one group's ideas dominate our country and our government?  Wasn't a tolerance of all people's ideas, religion and speech one of the most important ideals our Founding Fathers wanted to establish in our nation?  The Tea Party's name conjures up images of our American forefathers fighting the imperial English government and the modern day version is constantly referring to the principles of our Founding Fathers and telling us that their views are most in line with the likes of Washington and Jefferson.  But the one thing they seem to lack is a tolerance for people who disagree with them about the role of government in our everyday lives. According to them, we are a doomed nation unless we cut the government back to the levels they see as appropriate.  We survived a Civil War, yet we are going to be brought down all because taxes are a little higher and there are some government regulations that they don't like.  Really? Fox News 1, rational thought 0.

Getting back to my original question of taking our country back...

The phrase itself is littered with innuendo and implications, none of which I like. To say that "we" have to take our country back is implying that an outside and malicious force has taken over our country.  While some people vehemently believe that this has truly happened, I think that most would be referring to big government and how that has taken over America.  What people on the right seem to forget is that this "big government" was elected by a majority of the voters, so how can "our country" be under the control of some outside malicious force?  Even our politicians are Americans, so it's their country as well (although a lot of us would like to kick them out of the country these days!).  Also, it brings to light more philosophical questions like: what does it mean to be "American?"  Just because someone has a different belief concerning the role of government in our daily lives, does that make them more or less American?  When does an immigrant truly become an "American?"  When they first arrive?  When they get their citizenship?  Is disagreeing with your government an "American" thing to do?  Does it make you more or less patriotic?  It seems that lately the same people who questioned the patriotism of Bush critics are the same ones who are saying now saying it is "American" to not trust your government and want to all but eliminate government from their daily lives.

Once again, I ask: Who exactly has taken our country? And where have they taken it?  We are all Americans. This country belongs to all of us. Don't confuse losing an election with someone taking your country from you.  Take a deep breath, the pendulum always swings back the other way.  I just wish the politicians and talking heads would help the situation and remind people that disagreement and compromise are a fundamental part of a healthy democracy, not the agents of its downfall.

The Tea Party Movement

I'm tired of reading them.

It's funny how the politics of fear can produce such varied responses. Some people are consumed by the fear-mongering politicians and resort to making and displaying the most ignorant and vile protest signs. On the other side of the political spectrum, this seemingly irrational behavior is often combated with humor and sarcasm. The superlative and inflammatory language used in today's political climate is, in my opinion, used solely for self-preservation. It is easier for elected officials to scare the huddled masses into voting for them rather than trying to communicate honestly with their constituents. The result of this is that prominent elected officials use words like "Armageddon" and "socialist." According to the likes of Glenn Beck, we are heading down a path that will strip us of all our freedoms, destroy the country we love and turn us into a nouveau-Weimar state. No mention of the warrant-less wiretaps or torture practices of the previous administration. Those acts were perpetrated to preserve and protect our precious freedom, as long as your skin wasn't brown.

 WE CAN STILL BE A CAPITALIST COUNTRY WITH UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. It is a moral issue. Should health care corporations be allowed to make money off of sick people by NOT paying claims and simply acting as a middle man? The right always says: "Do you really trust your government to handle your health care?" My answer is: "Not so much." But I trust for-profit corporations A LOT less. After all, they make more money by NOT paying claims, and the primary objective of a corporation is to make money, which is NOT a problem. I just don't think that we should live in a country where someone can have their life ruined simply because they got sick or hurt. Aren't there some limits to capitalism? Aren't there some things that are simply wrong to make a profit on? We do have laws against things like selling drugs, committing fraud, stealing, etc. I think health care should be considered in that same category. For those of you on the right who will never trust your government to handle health care, think about this: police officers, fire fighters, EMT's and many other essential services are provided through government. Do you think we should privatize all these things? Should we have a handful of large corporations in charge of keeping our streets safe or answering our emergency calls? I would like to think that you would not. All in all, please don't let the Becks, Limbaughs, Olbermans, Maddows, Drudges, Stewarts, Colberts, etc. determine what your opinions and views are. Take the time and effort to look at FACTS objectively rather than giving in to incendiary rhetoric spouted by blow-hards who are simply in it for the ratings. Also, don't blindly follow elected leaders' fear-inducing propaganda. Most of those politicians are simply trying to win the next election and keep their job. Always be objective and make up your own mind. Check out this little video I put together of some protest signs. Pay attention to the hate, ignorance, humor and misspellings. I think they are fairly interesting. Enjoy!