Yes, darlin'... it is frustrating.
I am pleased with the preliminary election results. Am I pleased that a crass, arrogant, stubborn old boy from Texas is our president? Yes and no. I'm glad he was our president on September 11, 2001. It scares the living daylights out to me to think Al Gore could have been our president during that time. Afghanistan war? Yes. Iraq war? Still not sure.
One thing that is for sure is that the war in Iraq is not simple and it was not started for simple black and white reasons like oil or weapons of mass destruction. I might really be entering some seriously dangerous water here, but in reality, isn't a huge reason the U.S. is adamant about having a middle eastern presence is because of Isreal? No one talks about it, because if you don't support the U.S.'s support of Isreal than it must mean you hate Jews and are an anti-Semite. Why is a viscious and cruel leader like Ariel Sharon in power in Isreal while we are demonizing the leaders of Muslim countries? Take a minute and read into the political and military record of Sharon. He is sick and evil and his record of butchering Palistinians is comparable to Hussein's butchering of Kurds. As long as the U.S. continues to provide weapons and technology (which the Isrealis go and enhance to make better) to Isreal, then we will be the primary target of terrorist activity.
On another note though regarding funding for social programs. I work in the public service arena, yet I still don't understand why money to support even worthy and successful programs has to come from the government? Just because it always has? Nope. The government has proved time and time again at how pitiful they are at managing tax dollars and how good they are misappropriating funds. We need to foster a major shift in responsibility in this country. The government cannot fix our social problems, let alone manage the financing of programs that serve them. The responsibility needs to come from the private sector. There is plenty of private money to go around to needy social programs. Social programs have to work harder be more creative to justify neediness and prove they are deserved of grant money from charitable foundations and private funders. Private citizens and industry need to have more incentive to finance these programs and understand it is in the best interest of our neighborhoods, cities and society in general. Admittedly that will be very difficult to do in a country that is increasingly lacking in personal responsibility for anything.
Why did I even start this rant???
