Just a thought…

Okay so I read this book about how people in their 20’s and 30’s are totally strapped for cash and the “American dream” is more difficult to achieve because of it. The book also explains some of the reasons behind why it is the way it is besides inflation. The most prominent reason is because the federal minimum wage hasn’t increased in years, while the rich continue to line their already overflowing pockets. It also states that Reagan is the primary reason Gen-X’ers don’t trust the government. The book states he basically convinced everyone during his terms that they shouldn’t rely on the government to help them. He was very convincing, his little idea worked and now no one really trusts the government.

Then today is the anniversary of a devastating day. They say that you remember where you were five years ago much like the previous generation remembers where they were when JFK died. I have to say that morning is crystal clear in my memory. Right down to the conversations I had about the situation with the family I was staying with in Michigan.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I am a layperson when it comes to the government and the logistics of how it is supposed to work. Every government class I have ever had has bored me to tears (almost literally). Yet, I have friends who love it so I just ask my dumb questions to them and they give me the info I need. I just call it like I see it – and in other aspects of life - my accuracy is high.

Okay so, we said Reagan set us on a path of governmental distrust. Papa Bush didn’t help matters much and Clinton, well - he had a one track mind. Junior Bush isn’t any better than Papa, and dare I say he may very well be worse. None of the past 4 presidents have even attempted to re-instill the trust in the government that once existed. The terror attacks happen and yet apart from new airline regulations, terror alert levels and racial profiling of those from Middle Eastern backgrounds; nothing has really changed.

Junior comes into office and decides he’s going to make sweeping changes. Tax breaks! [For the rich] No Child Left Behind! [Hold teachers accountable – but don’t back it up with people from the field – do whatever Junior ‘thinks’ might work] And then countless other useless-to-the-common-man adjustments to the governmental policies. He sends our friends and relatives over to play in a sandbox rather than chasing after the culprit of the attacks. (I know you’re screamin we are there too – but not at the capacity we should be - our power is in the sandbox instead.)

My argument to this whole fiasco, who is holding Junior accountable? “Oh well there is a checks and balances system in place with the legislative and judicial branches…” To you I say BAH – HUMBUG! The legislative branch in part is just as crooked as the man at the top. With the right amount of money you can sway any one of their opinions to suit your cause. Our government is pissing of the nations of the world one country at a time and no one here at home seems to question this or even notice for that matter. Let’s move over to the little mess in Iraq, shall we?

First of all, we should have been in Afghanistan busting asses for allowing terror cells to follow through with their mission rather than digging a dictator out of his rabbit hole. Even now, do we have peacekeepers following the few troops over there around trying to give the next generation an idea what we are about so they don’t hate us as well? My guess is no. But instead, we have our troops playing in the desert because of a rumor about weapons of mass destruction that have never come to fruition. And seriously, what was the real reason we are in Iraq? WMD’s, no. Oil, our president is an oil man- whether or not he still owns any oil rigs – I think yes. And I firmly believe this is the real core reason: to finish off what Papa Bush started. But of course, we can’t tell the world that; that might put us in a much deeper hole than we are currently in.

Now, we have a few large issues hovering over the president that will stain his mark on history.

#1) failure within the CIA and like agencies to prevent the atrocities that occurred in September 2001
#2) failures to locate WMD’s in Iraq
#3) the “war” in Iraq - it’ll be Vietnam all over again in hindsight
#4) failure to maintain troops in Afghanistan to eradicate or bring to trial the terrorist leader in a relatively quick fashion
#5) No child left behind
#6) tax breaks which really only benefit the rich
#7) failures to raise the minimum wage in relation to the inflation rate and cost of living.
#8) FEMA and Homeland Security at the devastation that was Hurricane Katrina
#9) the inability to use polysyllabic words fluently
#10) can anyone remember Florida and the “hanging chad” issue that got his reign started?

Whether or not this president is a “good” person is not relevant due to the fact that almost everything he says or does proves he is nothing but a bumbling idoiot on a puppet string. Who in their right mind would not have graciously excused themselves (ideally to return at a later time) immediately upon hearing there was a problem of that magnitude in NY? AND THEN – the reaction on his face; it was not one of concern. NO, it was very similar to the look a child might have if you took away something of theirs – more pouty with a little anger mixed in.

And then there is the controversy over the whole September 2001 event as it stands. Sure the commission report tells a lot, and the newscasters have shared plenty; but has anyone truly been given all the information? HA – No. The government censors it all because they believe, we as a nation cannot handle the truth. We are but ignorant children in their eyes. They no longer look out for the common voter or non voter for that matter. Yet they expect us to trust them as they lie, cheat and who knows what else to get their way. As I said before, with the right amount of money, you can get anything passed into law. It is no longer laws for the common good; it’s laws for the rich and who cares about the rest of the citizens.

I say as citizens of a country, we need to stop worrying about what everyone else on the planet is doing and nosing into their business more than necessary, we need to start holding our Government accountable for its actions. Start from the top and work your way down. Stop allowing Junior and his minions to point the finger of blame elsewhere and force them to do a reality check and point the finger at themselves. Finger pointing in general should be reserved for those of a young age who have not learned to internalize right and wrong – not for those who are supposedly voted in as competent adults to stand in the highest offices of the land.

The government needs to be held accountable for its actions at home and abroad. We are the ‘land of the free’ and yet poverty rises. ‘Land of the free’ and our government is making more and more constrictive rules that benefit no one but the rich. The country is tailored to a middle class that is disappearing – because we’re going global, but is that truly in our best interests? We all know Junior is looking out for the best interests of the rich, but who is looking out for the best interests of the common person?

If teachers have high nearly unreasonable standards to teach to (EVEN THOUGH IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT PROCESS NOT PRODUCT) I say we need to hold the government just as accountable for its actions and reactions. I doubt in any circumstance which I have discussed, the "end justifies the means."

And don’t even get me started on what I think of our Governor, who claims he wants to get rid of Chicago-style politics in Springfield and wants to distance himself from his predecessor; and yet is pulling some of the same tricks. And no I dont trust his competetition either. She's as bad as he is.