ilBLOGical tidBITs

So how do we begin to get a handle on government? I’ve come up with a short list that might get things moving again and eliminate some of the issues that have more to do with human nature and people with a little power, than anything else.

First, we need term limits. Six years should be about right and then that’s it. Public service should be just that — public service. It should not be a career choice that provides a multitude of opportunities for bad behavior fueled by delusions of grandeur and entitlement syndrome. This is how the special interest groups and lobbyists are able to weld so much power. If they get someone in their pocket early in their political career the voices of that politician’s constituents gets lost in the noise.

Second, taxes that were instituted for specific reasons should be fenced to preclude mismanagement on the part of elected officials. The ability to rob Peter to pay Paul might make Paul happy, but it also leads to financial fiascos and blown budgets.

Third, let people vote with their tax money. When individuals file their income taxes they could designate where they want that money spent. Of course, the categories would have to be broad — national defense, social services, transportation infrastructure, education, health care and so on — but it would allow people to put their money where their mouths are. Once the tax returns were processed, the governments would have to set its budget accordingly. This would be another way to take lobbyist and special interests out of the equation. If they want to push their agendas, they would have to spread their money far and wide to educate and persuade the public instead of lining the pockets of a few key elected officials.

“Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.”

—    Paul Valery (1871–1945)

I know my voice has been absent from the blogosphere recently, but as I watch, listen and read what passes for news with today’s media, the same thought keeps going around and around in my mind: Where’s the change?

The president is still battling congress and the opposing party over any and everything.

We are still embroiled in two conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with no clear end in sight, as the new president and his advisors mull over the political ramifications of their options in the face of what military leaders have said all along — and people continue to die.

The rich are still getting rich and the rest of us are still holding on.

Small businesses continue to fold, as the price of gas fluctuates depending on whether or not the government is paying attention; and the media shift between instilling fear and promoting ignorance in a public that is either to numb to care or too dumb to know better.

Of course, I am not the first to make these observations, but I found myself overwhelmed by the lack of progress or real change on any front. Raging against a system that has atrophied into a political glacier only made me feel more helpless.

I came to the conclusion that perhaps instead of railing against what is NOT happening; I could open discussions about what we could do to turn things around. I do not pretend to know precisely how to fix our governments, but perhaps talking about it will generate ideas that may.

Say what you will about former President Jimmy Carter, who is probably one of the most intelligent men to ever hold the office, his honesty concerning the racial overtones of protests against President Obama was on the money.

For years, the closeted racists on Capitol Hill have smiled outwardly and played nice with others, secure in the knowledge that when it came right down to it this nation would always be led by a white president. The election of Barack Obama changed all that, and the prejudice that was hidden from public view has spilled out into the light of day.

Most important, the fear associated with racial bigotry is driving the hyperbole of everything associated with the president.

As a nation, I think most of us would like to think that racial hatred is a thing of the past; however, based on recent events it is clear that we have a long way to go.

“Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.”

—    Albert Einstein (1879–1955)

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/carters-racism-charge-sparks-war-of-words/?hp

“Sometime they’ll give a war and nobody will come.”

—    Carl Sandburg (1878–1967)

During the 1960s, protesters were fond of using Sandburg’s quote, but based on recent world history it looks like no one wants to miss the opportunity.

U.S. military leaders are pushing for more troops in Afghanistan, but they can’t seem to provide the public with a clear, concise explanation of the mission. Is it nation building, a regime change, a police action — what? Of course, they may not know because the Obama administration hasn’t shared that information with them.

They won’t give an estimate of how long we will be involved in Afghanistan either. Is it because they really have no idea, or will answering that question have substantial political fallout that the administration does not want to deal with — especially in light of pressing domestic issues.

As the civilian leaders in Washington dither, the fate of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is on the line, even as members of the Afghanistan National Army are reported to have attacked the contracted Afghani guards protecting a U.S. compound.

I hope an answer is coming soon, but I will not hold my breath.

“America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.”

—    Arnold Toynbee (1889–1975)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/world/asia/16mullen.html?hp

http://www.military.com/news/article/gis-afghan-guards-clash-with-afghan-troops.html

Of course, most people know this is not news. Even before the meltdown last September, the public has been doing the heavy lifting for those that make their money from using — and frequently, misusing — other people’s money.

The bailout was just one more example, but on a grander scale with the government promising even more of the public’s money to save the financial flagships that were run aground by their own captains and crews.

Yes, I know it is a very complicated subject, as those responsible keep telling us; however, the fact that it was so complicated should have sent red flags up all over the place. Unfortunately, those responsible for monitoring the financial institutions and markets were as culpable as those that nearly toppled the world’s economy.

Alas, I fear that in this matter, lady justice — who is already wearing a blindfold — will be bound, gagged and forced to walk the plank off the deck of the new financial flagships, which are now flying a pirate’s flag and yo, ho, hoing all the way to the bank.

“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.”

—    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/business/15bank.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1252947663-pTcR9×6w0SR80gSp5X7IVw

After the political fallout over the “You lie!” comment by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, it looks like the reward of campaign money may herald a new era for politicians behaving badly. How soon before we see our elected representatives talking smack and challenging one another to no-holds-barred cage fights over legislation?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/11/wilson.fundraising/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Following a highly publicized incident involving a NATO officer’s call for a strike on a target that resulted in the death and injury of civilians, the rules of engagement (ROE) in Afghanistan seem to be transmogrifying into a recipe for disaster for U.S. and friendly forces.

In today’s asymmetric battlefield, commanders are frequently faced with a choice between engaging hostile forces that routinely hide in protected structures and use civilians as shields against air, artillery and armor attacks, or letting the hostiles go for fear of civilian casualties and collateral damage. This forces the soldiers and Marines on the ground into dangerous situations that are second guessed by others who are thousands of miles away from the battlefield.

Fortunately for the world, the same rules were not in effect during World War II.

Hopefully, those that question the methods of fighting a modern war will realize that in war people die and it is not always the enemy. Whether it is in Iraq or Afghanistan, trying to fight a clean war without civilian casualties is like getting just a little bit pregnant. Either way you’re ….

http://www.military.com/news/article/ambushed-marines-aid-call-rejected.html

There’s a new baby in Washington, D.C. It may have been born of frustration, hubris, ignorance, fear and missteps by the Obama administration, but it has taken nine month of hard labor by the Republican Party to ensure that this baby brings down the White House.

The business of government and the fate of the nation place a distant second to the driving priority to ruin anything the current administration tries to do. There is no guilt or remorse about the legacy that Republicans left this nation — and the world — during the previous eight years. It only matters that  Obama fails — by any means necessary.

Whatever it takes; whether it is casting doubts on the citizenship of the president or spreading malicious lies to derail any proposal, they will not be dissuaded by evidence or facts. They will use the bully pulpit of their ravenous radio and television hosts to besmirch, besmear and belittle, not because they have better ideas — but just because.

The new baby has been adopted by many groups that might have legitimate grievances against the government. Unfortunately, they have also been duped by those who would have their power back at any cost. This new baby, spawned by the Republican Party, is mean, needy, colic and needs its diaper changed — badly — much like the diarrhea spews of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-09-08-march_N.htm?csp=34

An article in USA Today — about the firing of private security guards at the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan — illustrates how poorly the U.S. is doing in the battle for hearts and minds. Is it any wonder that the people in Afghanistan are suspicious of America’s intentions in this part of the world when people at our embassy are so brazenly violating tenets of Islam?

The story also points out the flaw of hiring private security companies to protect not only U.S. personnel and property, but U.S. interests. This specific incident focuses on the breakdown of morale, morals and basic security at the U.S. embassy; whereas, past reports of other private security companies such as Blackwater USA, which has since changed its name to Xe Services LLC, recount indiscriminate use of force and alleged incidents of manslaughter and even murder that have undermined U.S. stabilization efforts.

It is a common practice for companies that contract with the U.S. government to change their company’s name to continue receiving contracts after they have been banned from receiving government contracts under their previous name.

This is one more example of how dangerous the practice is of using private companies to carry out what should be government functions. Apparently, this is a growth industry that shows no sign of slowing down, as more and more federal and state government functions are passed onto the private sector to save government budgets.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-09-04-embassy-guards-fired_N.htm?csp=34

 From the land that brought us flying carpets, Aladdin and his lamp, and Ali Baba and his 40 thieves, it looks like magical thinking has found its way into the modern war against terrorist. An article posted on National Public Radio’s (NPR) Web site discusses a bomb detector used by Iraqi police that may have more in common with Aladdin’s lamp than science and technology.

Perhaps if the former Bush administration had one of these they could have found the alleged weapons of mass destruction; however, considering the U.S. provided ample time for Saddam Hussein to remove such weapons — if they existed at all — dubbya would have had more luck using a magic eight ball or gazing into the bald head of Dick Cheney.

“Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business.”

— Tom Robbins (1936– )

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111750111&ft=1&f=1001