Letter from America
What has happened to the American culture of pitching in during a crisis? Prompted by a news article about the projected deficit for 2005 (the biggest, correcting for inflation, since WWII), I thought about what we used to do during wartime. When my grandparents were my age, there was a war going on. Everyone in the country participated in the war effort in one way or another--whether it was collecting scrap metal, working in a factory to replace those in active duty, or sacrificing luxuries in order to buy war bonds and financially support the government's needs for defense spending. This was all promoted and encouraged by the government, spun as a positive and upbeat way to get involved in what was going on.
What sacrifices have any of us non-military people made for this war? Especially those of us who so vocally and adamantly support it (many of whom just so happen to be the wealthiest among us)? What has our country asked of us in order to support the war effort--and what opportunities for sacrifice and involvement have they offered and encouraged us to participate in? While the cost of this war have spiralled out of control and our deficit hit these all-time highs, they've told us "Spend spend spend!! Boost the economy by going to the mall, and buying a nice new car!" Instead of asking us for a little bit extra to fund our troops, they've pushed big tax cuts through and further depleted their available resources and cutting into the coffers designated for music classes and gym in schools.
Of course, none of us are complaining about that--we don't like to sacrifice and we are placated by the confirmation from on high that treats, sweets, and luxuries are our god-given right, even as others put their lives on the line "to make America safer". Would any of us take our weekly McDonald's money and put it in a jar to send to George for the war effort, or paint our pantyhose on because all the nylon is needed for equipment manufacture? No way. And I'm not sure if that's because we're more jaded and cynical (and selfish)--that we know our loose change won't buy a helicopter--or because nobody is asking us to.
I do not support this war, I never wanted it to happen and I think it was a terrible idea. But as our economy goes down the tubes and so many public services that I DO support get shafted because of how much it is costing, I feel like I should be doing something other than just bleeding my heart and feeling smug. Doesn't anyone else feel that way? All of those people who think it's great and George is great--do they not feel any sense of responsibility and obligation for the cost (in more than money) of this fiasco? Or would they rather give their neighbor's first-born child to this greedy government than an extra 5% of their wages and assets?
What sacrifices have any of us non-military people made for this war? Especially those of us who so vocally and adamantly support it (many of whom just so happen to be the wealthiest among us)? What has our country asked of us in order to support the war effort--and what opportunities for sacrifice and involvement have they offered and encouraged us to participate in? While the cost of this war have spiralled out of control and our deficit hit these all-time highs, they've told us "Spend spend spend!! Boost the economy by going to the mall, and buying a nice new car!" Instead of asking us for a little bit extra to fund our troops, they've pushed big tax cuts through and further depleted their available resources and cutting into the coffers designated for music classes and gym in schools.
Of course, none of us are complaining about that--we don't like to sacrifice and we are placated by the confirmation from on high that treats, sweets, and luxuries are our god-given right, even as others put their lives on the line "to make America safer". Would any of us take our weekly McDonald's money and put it in a jar to send to George for the war effort, or paint our pantyhose on because all the nylon is needed for equipment manufacture? No way. And I'm not sure if that's because we're more jaded and cynical (and selfish)--that we know our loose change won't buy a helicopter--or because nobody is asking us to.
I do not support this war, I never wanted it to happen and I think it was a terrible idea. But as our economy goes down the tubes and so many public services that I DO support get shafted because of how much it is costing, I feel like I should be doing something other than just bleeding my heart and feeling smug. Doesn't anyone else feel that way? All of those people who think it's great and George is great--do they not feel any sense of responsibility and obligation for the cost (in more than money) of this fiasco? Or would they rather give their neighbor's first-born child to this greedy government than an extra 5% of their wages and assets?
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Letter from America
"What sacrifices have any of us non-military people made for this war?"
off the top of my head, the Patriot Act is a pretty big one, but I get your point.
there's a great website at http://costofwar.com that compares the amount that the Government have spent on the Iraq war against other things (both domestic and global) that desperately need attention. for example, the government could have provided health insurance for over 53,000,000 kids with the money that was spent on the war. of course, that's not fiscally responsible. but the war is.
great article by the way
off the top of my head, the Patriot Act is a pretty big one, but I get your point.
there's a great website at http://costofwar.com that compares the amount that the Government have spent on the Iraq war against other things (both domestic and global) that desperately need attention. for example, the government could have provided health insurance for over 53,000,000 kids with the money that was spent on the war. of course, that's not fiscally responsible. but the war is.
great article by the way
Letter from America
I read an interesting article that said it would be far better for John Kerry and the Democrats if he lost the election, because W has fucked the economy up so badly that any incoming government will HAVE to put up taxes and bring in tough austerity measures(and will be subsequently remembered for doing so at the 2009 election).
The article drew a parallel with John Major's govt. over in the UK, who had to deal with Thatcher's legacy of an over-valued pound, and after the currency and Stock Market crash of 'Black Wednesday' led to the Tories losing their reputation for being good economic managers.Another parallel could be drawn with Jim Callaghan's govt. in the late 70s, who had to deal with the OPEC oil price hike in the mid 70s, and bring in ultra tough austerity measures that led to the strikes and winter of discontent, ruining labour's reputation. The irony is that both Major and Callaghan's governments were actually pretty effective at administering the unpalatable economic medicine, and Roy Jenkins/Denis Healey and Ken Clarke were very good Chancellors... it's just that all people remember when the election comes is whether or not they had a good time, not whether or not the government did a good job.
Bush's dad had to sort out Reagan's economic shit heap and was thrown out because of it... perhaps Bush Jr. should be the one to sort out his own shit heap?
The article drew a parallel with John Major's govt. over in the UK, who had to deal with Thatcher's legacy of an over-valued pound, and after the currency and Stock Market crash of 'Black Wednesday' led to the Tories losing their reputation for being good economic managers.Another parallel could be drawn with Jim Callaghan's govt. in the late 70s, who had to deal with the OPEC oil price hike in the mid 70s, and bring in ultra tough austerity measures that led to the strikes and winter of discontent, ruining labour's reputation. The irony is that both Major and Callaghan's governments were actually pretty effective at administering the unpalatable economic medicine, and Roy Jenkins/Denis Healey and Ken Clarke were very good Chancellors... it's just that all people remember when the election comes is whether or not they had a good time, not whether or not the government did a good job.
Bush's dad had to sort out Reagan's economic shit heap and was thrown out because of it... perhaps Bush Jr. should be the one to sort out his own shit heap?
Re: Letter from America
>I read an interesting article that said it would be far better for John Kerry and the Democrats if he lost the election, because W has fucked the economy up so badly that any incoming government will HAVE to put up taxes and bring in tough austerity measures
A scary thought. But imagine how things could be in 2009 if the current downward spiral was allowed to continue. I don't know if Kerry would be any good or not, but taken purely on the grounds of 'the lesser of two evils'...
Very thought-provoking article, by the way.
A scary thought. But imagine how things could be in 2009 if the current downward spiral was allowed to continue. I don't know if Kerry would be any good or not, but taken purely on the grounds of 'the lesser of two evils'...
Very thought-provoking article, by the way.
Letter from America
goood stuff.
Letter from America
Thanks all.
Yes, definitely things like the Patriot Act constitute great sacrifices we are forced to contend with--I mean more the voluntary kind like not enjoying every luxury and then some more when our govt. needs money to pay for defense. But I know you got my picture, and I too got yours. :)
Yes, definitely things like the Patriot Act constitute great sacrifices we are forced to contend with--I mean more the voluntary kind like not enjoying every luxury and then some more when our govt. needs money to pay for defense. But I know you got my picture, and I too got yours. :)
Letter from America
Very good article.
Has anyone read about the posibility of Americe bringing back the draft? It was a guardian article and I haven't had the time to look up anything else about it. But that is a frightening prospect, especially as John Kerry could have used it as a major coup against Bush if he wasn't worried he might have to bring it in himself if he ever gets into office.
Has anyone read about the posibility of Americe bringing back the draft? It was a guardian article and I haven't had the time to look up anything else about it. But that is a frightening prospect, especially as John Kerry could have used it as a major coup against Bush if he wasn't worried he might have to bring it in himself if he ever gets into office.
Re: Letter from America
Yes, in fact. They started sending out "Selective Service Registry" cards to all males between 18 and 35 or so. These cards inform people that they've been included in a list of possible future draftees, and that if you aren't eligible for military service for some reason you need to fill in a bunch of paperwork and send it back in to get yourself removed.
My boyfriend, who is Scottish, lives here with me now. He got sent one of these cards even though he's a non-eligible alien. He has to go through considerable hassle to get himself taken off the list he was mistakenly included on.
My boyfriend, who is Scottish, lives here with me now. He got sent one of these cards even though he's a non-eligible alien. He has to go through considerable hassle to get himself taken off the list he was mistakenly included on.
Re: Letter from America
the problem with Kerry bringing that up is that it'd probably lose him a couple of thousand votes, 'cos then the republicans say "americans should be proud to defend this country from attack in its time of need" and that "kerry isn't willing to do everything to protect the country." he's in the position where playing himself as anything other than slightly more moderate than bush will see him losing the election. which is a shame, because kerry's supposed to be one of the most liberal politicians in the US.
whole world's gone mad. i'm moving to new zealand...
whole world's gone mad. i'm moving to new zealand...
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