In this a Presidential election year, citizens of this country are intensely aware, every vote counts. The world witnessed, in State after State people scrambled to the polls. Voters of every age have turned out in large numbers. The sprint to the White House is on. Most every electorate wants to join in. the people wish to return to power. Much is at stake. The people want to participate in the process.
The big day finally arrived. Delaware is one of the Super Tuesday states this year. As a member of the Democratic Party and a staunch supporter, I volunteered to be a poll greeter this year. The polling place is about 200 yards from home so the task did not involve any travel or troublesome arrangements.
You'll never meet these folks. They represent the hundreds of thousands who have been kicked to the curb these past years (from Clinton's NAFTA in '94 until the current time). A 'restructuring' company (better known as hatchet men) took over their company in 2004 with lofty promises of Jobs etc. Fact is - these companies buy and resale companies. They were informed right before Christmas that they (122 people) no longer had a job by Watermill (International) Ventures. The company only decided to give two weeks severance pay due to the Governor's intervention. Naturally, all their health benefits etc went out the window. Some of these folks had worked at this DECENT paying Modular Home Company for decades. They bought homes here (Claremont) and have children in college. These employees were highly skilled.
For quite some time now I have been feeling like a lost soul wandering in the wilderness. Life has changed over the past few years from what I believed we as a nation had become in past times. I grew up in small town America where everyone in town knew everyone else. People in need in those days were often looked after by a neighbor or a friend. The government stood as a last safety net for those who fell through the social cracks. The general feeling was one of respect for one another and of well wishing toward one another.
May I offer my sincerest gratitude to Representatives, Robert Wexler, Luis Gutierrez, and Tammy Baldwin. These glorious members of the House Judiciary Committee, recently raised the volume on the issue of impeachment for Vice President Cheney. The three invite us, the average citizen, to join them. Please express your distress; sign the petition. Call for Hearings. Without you the Vice President will continue to avoid an official and necessary censure.
Please do not stop there. Americans have seen what occurs when we are complacent. For too long Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke of what many thought obvious, and only a few listened.
Once again, all but one of our Democratic Congresspersons demonstrates that they do not fully understand what it means to represent Americans. Dennis Kucinich marches to the beat of a different politico drummer. This Presidential hopeful is a man of the people. Today as he presented a privileged resolution Kucinich echoed the concerns of America. This Administration has lied and caused many to die needlessly. They, the president George W. Bush and the most powerful Vice President ever, Richard Cheney, must be impeached. Nonetheless, fellow Democrats worked to avert the action and debate.
Last week at a dinner I was privileged to hear several speakers who touched my inner being with their words. One of the speakers was Ron Suskind, author and journalist from Washington, DC. He talked about his first book, "A Hope in the Unseen, An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League," as part of his presentation. In the course of discussing the people with whom he talked in researching the book he found the expression, "good enough choices."
I hear the claims and the clamor. "This is George Bush's war!" This Administration instituted a "war on science." Federal funding for research was reduced in recent years. Laws meant to protect the environment were repealed. I would love to say that much of what occurs in America today is not done in my name. It is not my fault or folly. However, I cannot make this assertion. I am an American; I am culpable.
The issue of continued funding of the occupation of Iraq just won't leave my mind today. President Bush yesterday returned to Congress with a new request for funds to continue the occupation of Iraq and the military presence in Afghanistan. An additional $46 billion is requested on top of the original request for $150 billion. This request for additional funds comes on the heels of a Presidential veto of funding for children's health care justified on the basis of costs. The administration finds no apparent disconnect between funding a war and denying our nation's children appropriate medical care.
In 1900, the US was the largest creditor nation: we loaned money to others, and invested both at home and overseas. We exported far more than we imported, in both raw and finished commodities. We were on our way to becoming the most powerful nation on earth - economically, militarily and morally. That is until the clowns with hatches entered into the midway.
He is bold. He is brilliant. He is our President, George W. Bush. This chap interprets the law and framed the Courts. There is even talk of his attempting to change the Constitution. Perhaps the term "Executive Branch" no longer includes the Vice President or the Commander-In-Chief. At least, guidelines and laws do not apply to those currently occupying the offices.
Six months ago, in a Newsweek Poll the people favored impeachment. However, that did not happen. What has occurred is President Bush has hit an all time high, a new low in political surveys. His approval rating has dipped down to twenty-six [26] percent according to the most recent Newsweek Opinion Poll conducted by the Princeton Survey Research Associates International. George W. Bush, a man that often states history will judge his performance, and polls numbers are meaningless, leaves a legacy comparable to that of Richard Milhous Nixon.
In January 1974, seven months after leaving the Oval Office in disgrace, President Nixon?s approval ratings were grim. The numbers approving of the two-term President plummeted to a low of twenty-three [23] percent.
The Democratic Debates held early in June 2007 reminds me of manyrecentrants. Again, I recall the depth of my disdain for the lackluster lunacy that passes for Presidential material. Senator Hillary Clinton hails she made the correct decision when she chose to 'support the President' and send our soldiers off to slaughter. Senator Joseph Biden declares "We have worked hard to try and end this war." Barack Obama states it is not easy to do what needs to be done. Yet, experts state these claims are reason for concern.
VoteVets.org is correct. I did ask for it. I am grateful that, with thanks to them, here it is. Last week, when George W. Bush accused Congress of not listening to the Generals on the ground in Iraq, I immediately thought of the many Generals released by this Administration, merely because they dared to disagree with the neoconservative, opportunistic, capitalistic George W. Bush directive.
Tell Congress to "Support our troops. Bring them home!"
MoveOn.org and soldiers far from American shores are asking for your assistance. Families here in the States hope that you will help. We, the public understand the hurts these persons experience. We feel them too. Americans long for a return to calm. Iraqis do as well. There is much evidence that this battle did not need to be. I invite you to speak your mind, talk from the heart, and do whatever you can to help our troops and to free the citizens of Iraq.
I was among the Americans willing to settle for some semblance of support for the troops. I was willing to say bring them home months from now; although it seems to me a time in 2008 is more than a year. Nevertheless, I called my Congressman and said please sign on to the silly Bill, the one setting an absurd and somewhat arbitrary time for bring the soldiers home. However, in each of my conversations with Congressional Aides, I added my truer feelings. I want the funds cut! It seems that now, you do as well.
Please view the video presentation. Do the Math. What might The Cost of Iraq truly be?
Chapter and verse has been written on George W. Bush and his history of addictions. None doubt his alcohol abuse. The President speaks of this obsession often. His own struggle to stop drinking may have endeared him to many voting constituents. People in America can attest to their own struggles with alcohol dependency. Some feel certain George Bush did his fair share of cocaine; perhaps, it was another drug of choice. It seems marijuana was part of the party boy's bingeing. Currently, and for the last twenty plus years our President has been clean. George W. Bush is sober and possibly no longer addicted to intoxicants, unless we are speaking of war.
Please view this glorious presentation. Support the troops. Stop Escalation
Dear Reader . . .
Tonight I saw a presentation that spoke to me. I share this message in hopes that you too are affected. I have long believed that to support the troops, we must ensure their safety. Placing soldiers in harms way hurts us as a nation. A country that cares for its people does not condone combat. Were I the Commander-In-Chief, I would do all that I could to sustain every life. I would not wish to take a young man or woman far from home and family. Subjecting an individual to undue stress is, in my mind, not just. I do not think a person of any age need endure the conditions of war.
This afternoon I found myself mesmerized by Senator Ted Kennedy. He was speaking on Iraq. His words resonated within me. They have great meaning. I wish to share these with you; however, I wonder will you kill the messenger regardless. Will you, dear reader be able to hear the wisdom of his words. Many, over the last few decades denigrate the man and any message he might bring. They do not consider that Ted Kennedy learned more than most of us might have, and that he may be among our greatest teachers.
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