Memo to Voters

Published on October 21, 2004 By stevendedalus In Politics

Though the deciding vote is which commander in chief is more likely to end the war in Iraq and secure an acceptable enduring peace, there are other issues that are connected.

Winning Iraq is of little consequence:

if we expose our own borders and ports of entry;

if we ignore the Palestinian-Israeli crisis;

if we fail to establish common sense relationship with Iran by joining Britain, Germany and France’s current negotiations, while simultaneously gleaning rapport among its majority which wants reforms;

if we don’t call North Korea’s bluff by returning to inspections and the “light water” nuclear reactor offer;

if we don’t swallow resentment and assist Spain to fight terrorism where cells are still deeply entrenched;

if there is no White House Dutch uncle-jawboning for the intelligence agencies to terminate their respective territorial professional jealousy and forge a true camaraderie to search out aggressively terrorist cells at home and overseas;

if there is no solid industrial base that can easily switch to war plants in time of crises;

if we don’t check the monopolies of Wal-Mart and its ilk, before it gets into defense contracts “we can supply the defense department with much cheaper arms and war gear from China,” let alone undermining small business, many of which are the backbone of the nation’s defense supplies;

if we don’t end the madness of tax cuts, corporate welfare and tax shelters, rendering defense vulnerable by institutionalizing war-borrowing from foreign countries, while generations are born into bankruptcy — on the other hand, this could be a mixed blessing in that there is no way future citizens could afford to indulge in wars of choice.

http://stevendedalus.joeuser.com

Comments

Madine

on Oct 21, 2004

I don't think Iraq will be of little consequence.

Link

We still have strong manufacturing output, just not as much employment. The reason is productivity.

You forgot the madness of ever-expanding health and welfare spending.

If anything, the GOP is the party that spends too much on defense, not too little.

We haven't been ignoring Israel-Palestine.

What is a common sense relationship with Iran?

I don't think North Korea is bluffing.

Agreed on borders/ports and intelligence, but I think the focus needs to be on people, not on cargo containers.

drmiler

on Oct 21, 2004

Reply #1 By: Madine - 10/21/2004 3:23:40 PM
I don't think Iraq will be of little consequence.

Link

We still have strong manufacturing output, just not as much employment. The reason is productivity.

You forgot the madness of ever-expanding health and welfare spending.

If anything, the GOP is the party that spends too much on defense, not too little.

We haven't been ignoring Israel-Palestine.

What is a common sense relationship with Iran?

I don't think North Korea is bluffing.

Agreed on borders/ports and intelligence, but I think the focus needs to be on people, not on cargo containers.

You go girl!

stevendedalus

on Oct 21, 2004

We haven't been ignoring Israel-Palestine.

Oh, really?

Agreed on borders/ports and intelligence, but I think the focus needs to be on people, not on cargo containers.

Yes, they can put people[terrorists] in containers

don't think North Korea is bluffing.

if not then what, war?

What is a common sense relationship with Iran?

I explained it.

We still have strong manufacturing output, just not as much employment.

for how long? the problem is not unemployment but underemployment--still this is unrelated to the memo. Thanks for your input.

Madine

on Oct 21, 2004

We announced support for the Gaza pullout. Isn't that a step in the right direction? I don't know what we can do there right now. We initiated the roadmap, but it broke down because Palestinian terror groups refused a cease fire. I don't think peace can proceed unless as long as Arafat is in power. Do you? Are you suggesting we try to force him out?

I'm a guy, but I appreciate your sentiment drmiller.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 21, 2004

I'm a guy

wow . . . I have been picturing you as a middle-aged red-headed woman!

Dr Guy

on Oct 21, 2004

don't think North Korea is bluffing.
[quote[if not then what, war?

Listen and learn. Those who bluster are doing it for effect, not for war, usually (i.e., not unless backed into a corner). Those who sneak and slither, will use it as a "surprise"!

Better bone up on Diplomacy 101!

You just lost the arguement.

drmiler

on Oct 21, 2004

Reply #4 By: Madine - 10/21/2004 5:00:37 PM
We announced support for the Gaza pullout. Isn't that a step in the right direction? I don't know what we can do there right now. We initiated the roadmap, but it broke down because Palestinian terror groups refused a cease fire. I don't think peace can proceed unless as long as Arafat is in power. Do you? Are you suggesting we try to force him out?

I'm a guy, but I appreciate your sentiment drmiller.

I had the same picture in my head as Tex did.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 21, 2004

I had the same picture in my head as Tex did.

he he he . . . that's something . . . madine, you must be giving off a middle-aged red-headed woman vibe . . .

blogic

on Oct 21, 2004

Good piece, stevendedalus,

I think Bush is making a huge mistake not putting more focus on resolving the Israel-Palestine issue. While Americans believe that Iraq is central to the War Against Terrorism, I think the Israel-Palestine situation has far more serious long term consequences than Iraq ever did. We're creating generations of Arabs who identify the United States with the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

I strongly support the existence of Israel, but because of our knee jerk support of Likud party policies, Israel is actually less secure, and America less safe.

stevendedalus

on Oct 22, 2004

madine, you must be giving off a middle-aged red-headed woman vibe

Fiery Red, right?

I strongly support the existence of Israel, but because of our knee jerk support of Likud party policies, Israel is actually less secure, and America less safe.

Absolutely!

We announced support for the Gaza pullout.

We need hands on interest, not simply an announcement.

Grim Xiozan

on Oct 22, 2004

I still prefer Badnarik and here is why, pulled from his website because I am lazy and tired.

For Democrats:

Supports free speech—opposes the types of restrictions being put on the advertising of Michael Moore's movie, Fahrenheit 9/11

Supports complete separation of church and state and get government out of the marriage business—John Kerry only supports civil unions; Badnarik would keep the federal government completely out of marriage

Supports equal treatment of all people under the law—opposes racial profiling

Advocates repealing federal regulations that prevent minorities from starting their own businesses

Opposes federal control over abortion

End the war in Iraq sooner than John Kerry

End foreign interventionism

Publicly opposes the draft

Badnarik supports the repeal of federal mandates and controls over schools; this system ruins education and holds all schools to the same standards despite their different means and demographics

End the "War on Drugs"

Allow the sick to use medical marijuana

For Republicans:

The Bush administration's discretionary spending has exceeded the Clinton administration's discretionary spending—not including the additional 500 billion spent on the war
The Bush administration lied to the American people in order to invade Iraq
The Bush administration plans to re-institute the draft after the election
Bush administration policies have created an increase in the cost of petroleum products
Bush administration, under the guise of national security has nearly bankrupted the transportation industry
If George Bush wins this election, Hillary Clinton is expected to be the Democratic nominee in 2008
The Bush administration has usurped state and local control on multiple issues

For Military:

Supports maintaining a strong military—for purposes of defense of the United States
Veterans benefits and military pay—This is one of the few areas wherein spending should increase. Those who have served our country should be fairly compensated for their service, and their medical benefits should be the best available. There is no excuse for providing less than adequate services to those who have put their lives on the line to defend our country.
Strictly volunteer military—no draft—and none should be needed if our engagements are limited to defense and our military compensation is commensurate with the private sector

For Reform Party Members:

The first viable third-party candidate since Ross Perot
Michael Badnarik is a Constitution scholar
Eliminate deficit spending now
Veto any unbalanced budget
Eliminate corporate welfare
Break the strangle-hold of the two-party system
Establish a hard currency system
Dissolve the federal reserve
Withdraw from the United Nations and evict them

Pretty much all the reasons above and Badnarik's stronger stance on the border problem is why I am supporting Michael Badnarik for President, because I am sick of the two parties who have become so similar there was only a 2% difference in the budget for last year.

- Grim X
Go Badnarik Go!!

Lee1776

on Oct 22, 2004

We're creating generations of Arabs who identify the United States with the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

I think that has already happened long before now.
________________________________________________________________________
Steve

This ones alot closer to a target then your last one to troops, but I still disagree.

Maybe it would be nice to see them hang themselves again (Like Fance in Rowanda or Bosnia). Then they may be a little more grateful for us cleaning up their mess. They keep complaining that we are always playing the worlds policemen all the time. Let them do something for once.

if we ignore the Palestinian-Israeli crisis

We're not ignoring them, our plan is to help them buy the cement for that wall they are building, so they can pull out and give the Palestinians their own little state to ruin.

if we don’t call North Korea’s bluff by returning to inspections and the “light water” nuclear reactor offer

Sorry I don't take kindly to black mail. As long as China is North Korea's allie we can't do anything. If they would stop trying to make nuclear bombs for black mail, then they could grow their own food. Maybe we should be blaming them for their problems, not us. When is it a requirment for us to feed a communist country anyways?

Aahh now your getting closer to my heart. But not quit.

Sorry I'm in a sarcastic mood tonight

What the hell "Shot them all and let God sort them out." Marge Simpson

Madine

on Oct 22, 2004

What exactly should we encourage Israel to do? My view is that the peace process is at an impasse as long as Arafat is in power. Feel free to convince me otherwise.

When I say NK isn't bluffing, I mean that they really want nuclear weapons as a deterrent, not that they want to start a war. I don't think they are just building bombs so that they can trade them for food/oil.

According to that report, since 1960, manufacturing output as a % of GDP is about the same, but manufacturing employment as a % of all employment has fallen.

stevendedalus

on Oct 23, 2004

When I say NK isn't bluffing, I mean that they really want nuclear weapons as a deterrent

A good example of the problem that faces non-proleferation, every country wants a strong deterrent.

What exactly should we encourage Israel to do? My view is that the peace process is at an impasse as long as Arafat is in power. Feel free to convince me otherwise.

For starters we should influence Israel to get rid of Sharon as well as insisting on Arafat to step down.Moreover, it has long been my contention that the UN has jurisdiction and needs to clamp down on both sides.

Insightful but all international relations boil down to blackmail.

Strictly volunteer military—no draft—and none should be needed if our engagements are limited to defense and our military compensation is commensurate with the private sector

Aye, there's the rub.

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