I write as a global citizen with concern for my good neighbors and our planet. My issues with the current STATE OF THE UNION - SEPTEMBER 2005 are far removed from partisan politics or petty complaints. If your eyes are open and you "connect the dots" and invest yourself just a little to see the BIG picture, it is hard to deny the
I struggle inside as I was not brought up to protest the leadership of the United States, but common sense is taking me there. I write perhaps feeling much like Thomas Paine did in 1776. Frustrated and hoping that through common sense and plain arguments, the American people will open their eyes.
Having one's eyes open has been painful for me and I am certain, I only see a small portion. There is so much to see and also so much hidden from us in intentional misleading propaganda and media hype. There is probably more than we can imagine that is kept from us also. The greed, corruption and injustice toward our good neighbors and planet that we've allowed are country to participate in through our helpless indifference fills my heart with sadness and shame for I know that in my unknowing ignorance, I have also contributed to the state we have arrived. I recognize none of this is new -------- there are those who say, "Hey, that's the way politics is!" But it doesn't have to be if we collectively create a new vision ---- a new reality ---- a new consciousness. We have the power to change things.
"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right."
--- Thomas Paine
The Tom DeLay indictment news yesterday was just another symbol and symptom of the shameful mess the U.S. finds itself in today. It doesn't matter that he may slither by only breaking the spirit of the law, not the rule of law by his cleverness. Having a senior official disgraced by behavior that would bring up such questions is shameful in itself and we've certainly seen plenty of it from the current leadership team.
How much more SHAME and DEGRADATION will it take before the American people see the TRUTH and IMPLICATIONS of their helpless indifference and inaction?
Consider the shameful record that the current administration has stacked up under BUSH's leadership. Here are just a few thoughts to stimulate your thinking:
LYING
CHEATING
INCOMPETENCE
GREED
OUT OF CONTROL DEFICIT
MISUSE OF OUR SURPLUSES
GAS PRICES CRIPPLING OUR NATION --- TAX CUTS FOR RICH
ROVE UNDER INVESTIGATION AND STILL IN HIS JOB
HALLIBURTON's POCKETS STUFFED WITH HARD-EARNED MONEY
DEGRADATION OF AMERICA'S ALLIES
LEADERSHIP POOR JUDGMENT (too many incidents to count)
ECONOMIC ABUSE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS
ENVIRONMENTAL DISREGARD AND NEGLECT
A MURDEROUS, ILLEGAL WAR WITH OVER 100,000 dead and maimed
HUMAN FATAL NEGLECT OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS IN KATRINA AND RITA
A NATION THAT IS AT RISK BY INCOMPETENT, UNQUALIFIED BUSH CRONIES ON THE PAYROLL
THE LOSS OF 2000 CHILDREN BY AN INCOMPETENT SYSTEM
REHTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY WITHOUT ONE CONSEQUENCE
I asked a few friends if they thought the American people would open their eyes. Here are three telling responses:
"I doubt it, we have grown too fat and lazy. There is a little capitalist in all of us, it's bred into our culture, it's the "American dream". In order to see the lies and the corruption we would have to look in the mirror and it doesn't look like most of America is ready to do that."
"I sadly agree... My friend was just pointing out that it is only when he started doing a lot of work on himself that he started caring about other people and those living in the rest of the world.
But most of us have difficulty taking a good honest look at ourselves. Probably because we are too busy chasing after unhealthy, unrealistic, and generally unattainable notions of success fostered by corporate and political media campaigns."
and from New Zealand...
"NO! The White House parrot will fly to the moon first!"
As I recall, BUSH came into office with a long list of business and leadership failures. Amazingly, he became president and our country has and is suffering from his failed leadership. Our country is longing for the help and concern of it's citizens ---------- the future is ours to create.
How much shame will it for all of us to wake up and see the grave truths standing before us?
What contribution will you make?
Debbe Kennedy
In reference to the following: "Any CEO with this record would have been removed and walked out the door in a scandal a long time ago”.
I heartily agree, although one could have said that about many other presidents. Ronald Reagan created staggering deficits (at least they were impressive until recently) yet he remained popular. Bill Clinton's personal life was under constant attack (largely by people who were without defensible moral values themselves and too craven to engage him directly, but not completely without basis either) yet he remained popular. Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were the butt of many jokes and failed to gain (re)election, but from the perspective of the reign of Bush II, look more and more like high points in recent presidential history.
So how then did Bush II gain office and why do we only now find him so reprehensible?
I think the answer to the second part is that many people are only now feeling the pain of the Bush regime as we pay $3 for gas and more and more people know personally a casualty of the senseless tragedy in Iraq.
The answer to the first part is that Bush is not a CEO - no one in their right mind would give him that position - he was elected by the voters of this country (eventually), and our electorate is not a board of directors. But still, how did such a specimen gain office?
Was he elected (or nearly so anyway) by christians because, having no other qualifications, he pandered to them so abjectly and blatantly?
Was he elected by people who vote out of habit rather than intelligent reflection?
Was he elected by people who vote based on television commercials, not the candidates' records?
All of the above. Bush II was installed in office by money and pandering to special interests by an electorate that just doesn’t pay attention to the facts. Again, you can say "Hey, that's the way politics is!", and you would be right.
So, we are to blame. Our political system, our under-educated electorate, our complacency, our puritan ancestors … What can we do about this? I’m still looking for the answer.
Posted by: Bob Sutton | October 13, 2005 at 07:12 AM
Bob,
Enjoyed your insight.
The more I think about it, the more I am convinced we all hold some of the blame at some level. While we were busy enjoying our comforts, things have reached a state of out of control at one time unimaginable ... or was it always there and we were sheltered from it prior to the Internet?
What seems clear to me is we need to raise the bar on expectations of our leaders of every kind.
Suppose it starts with you and me.
"My life is my message." --- Gandhi
Nice goal!
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Debbe Kennedy
Posted by: Debbe Kennedy | October 16, 2005 at 11:50 PM