Cicular Firing Squad

[maxpower]

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. - Dwight Eisenhower

Good Morning,
So here we are again. Debating what to do about Afghanistan, the “war” that Bush forgot do we need more troops, different strategy etc…. We still have 130,000 troops in Iraq; I thought we would be drawing down by now. President Obama promised an end to what is now the occupation. Plato said, “It is only the dead who have seen the end of war.” How many times have great nations been destroyed by trying to control the Middle East? We have seen this one before, it struck me as I was walking around the courthouse in Pontiac, Illinois this Sunday. The monuments that surround the courthouse paying tribute to the soldiers of past conflicts going back to the Civil War, were any of these wars just? History says so, but we only get the victors side of the story.
Now we are at it again, the nation’s lust for blood and money has us knee deep in two wars the “experts” say we cannot pull out of or risk losing them both. We need to ask, “What is there to win?” have we not lost enough already? Now where is this rant going? Healthcare, education, and quality of life all are being lost to pay for these conflicts. The big debate about universal healthcare, is the cost too high? Without mentioning the human cost, the money spent in Iraq alone could have paid for quality health care for all Americans.

I read in today’s paper that the local school district is facing huge budget shortfalls for the next two years at least. Class sizes are larger than ever, teachers are buying supplies for their classrooms that normally the school districts would supply. No child left behind is a joke. I know that we have been underfunding education for years now. Why, my theory which I am sure is shared by many is that it is intentional. The powers that be find that a society of citizens that doesn’t ask questions is easier to manipulate. Two of the things that make for a great society are being pushed aside for the sake of the big corporations and warmongers. Health and education should be rights, not privileges, rights.

This brings me back to Eisenhower’s quote. He may not have been the greatest president, but he seems to me to be the last republican that had a conscience. No he was not perfect, however compared to those that followed he was a man who truly cared about this country. The right deifies St. Ronnie, who did more to destroy this country than anyone did until the fake cowboy came along. Which begs the question, why don’t the republicans ever mention Eisenhower when they try to find one great republican president since Lincoln? I can only guess. I think it has to do with the fact that he wanted to stop the insanity that now pervades our society. Maybe I am wrong.

Once again both sides are arguing over talking points, meanwhile the country is being bled dry. Like a previous post I am asking everyone on both sides to look at the forest, the trees are mere distractions. We need to get pissed; we need to take back the country from the bastards that keep us from being the great nation we can be. We are merely hamsters spinning in our wheels, wasting our time watching T.V. and trying to get more and more. In the end, this leaves us all with less and less. I have read plenty of rants on this same subject, but it is like spitting in the wind. We need to realize we are in a circular firing squad, ready to fire. While the ones in control just sit, watch and laugh. Meanwhile the beat goes on.
Once again, I ask for additions and ideas. I apologize for any grammatical errors and the rambling nature of this post.


Peace,
Max

[maxpower]

1. I wanted to add another thing

We have to have insurance to drive, to own or rent a home or apartment. How come these are required yet no regulation on the prices they charge. The health insurance debate should lead to a complete insurance overhaul. And I apologize for the spelling error in my title.