As we begin a new year, we are again filled with hope for a bright future. But if the past year is precedent, our hopes will be burdened with too many uncertainties.
2011 will perhaps be best remembered as the year of the Arab Spring. Following a month of violent protests, the Tunisian government collapsed on Jan. 14, when President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia after 23 years in power. His people had risen up against high unemployment and inflation, corruption, and a lack of freedoms in Tunisia.
The protests were triggered by the actions of a 26-year-old vegetable cart operator named Mohamed Bouazizi, who doused himself with a flammable liquid and set himself on fire to protest the local government. Public support for Bouazizi grew as protests spread with the help of YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Bouazizi died from burns in early January, about 10 days before the government fell. But Bouazizi's act opened the door for millions of Arabs throughout the region.
Demonstrators took over Cairo's Tahrir Square, and at times as many as 1 million Egyptians protested their repressive government and demanded President Hosni Mubarak's resignation. The long-time American ally and friend to Israel resigned on Feb. 11, leaving the Egyptian military in control until a new leader is elected.
Bahrain and Syria have also dealt with protests. But the Syrian government has resorted to extreme violence against its own people, leaving thousands dead and the country's future unclear.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to roil the world stage with its meddlesome acts throughout the Middle East and its threats against Israel and the West. The Iranian government continues to develop a nuclear weapons program despite painful sanctions that have been imposed by many Western nations. War clouds darken the landscape as the Revolutionary Guard represses its own people.
The U.S. military has withdrawn from Iraq, leaving that country deeply divided as it struggles for a democratic future. Iran is doing all it can to destabilize progress in that country by influencing Iraq's Shiite Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who is accused by minority Sunnis of using security forces to consolidate his power. In 2011, 4,063 Iraqi civilians were killed, a slight increase over the previous year. Turmoil and tumult abound in Iraq nine years after America freed the country from the tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein.
As the U.S. continues its war in Afghanistan, al-Qaeda and Afghan Taliban fighters have reached out to Pakistani militants in an effort to set aside their differences to take on the U.S. led forces in Afghanistan. Meetings have been held in Pakistan's tribal region, and an alliance may not bode well for Americans as they accelerate their withdrawal from Afghanistan. This as U.S.-Pakistani relations are at an all-time low.
There is much on the world stage to be weary of, not the least of which is Europe's difficult economic problems and the rising influence of China. All these factors are having a great impact on America, which itself is struggling to regain its economic footing following the 2008 recession.
So the U.S. elections in November are critical. Yet Republican presidential candidates have decimated each other in an effort to curry favor from the Tea Party and conservative Christian factions of their party. Their campaigns have reflected the divisiveness that has paralyzed Washington and Congress. They have done little to show a majority of Americans that they can unite the country at such an important time.
Meanwhile President Barack Obama, the persistent president, is now in full campaign mode. His policies are leading to slow but steady economic recovery. More and more people are being hired. His historic health care reform measures are beginning to have a positive impact on Americans. The U.S. auto industry is again vibrant thanks to his intervention.
President Obama has a credible foreign policy, and he has kept the country safe from terrorist attacks. He has destroyed the leadership of al-Qaeda, including Osama bin Laden, and helped to oust Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. He has kept his campaign promises by ending the war in Iraq and focusing his efforts on Afghanistan. Yet huge federal deficits loom as far as the eye can see, entitlement programs lack true reform, the housing market remains weak and consumer demand is still tepid.
Come November, Americans will have a choice: staying the course or voting for change. The question voters will face is, "Will the alternative be change we can truly believe in?"
Follow Joe Peyronnin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joepeyronnin
Silken Laumann: Things I Am Proud of in 2011
 |
 |
|
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Votes (270 to win) |
332 | 206 |
| Obama | Romney | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 65,899,660 | 60,932,152 |
| Percent | 51.1% | 47.2% |
| Democrats* | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Senate | 53 | 47 |
| Seats gained or lost | +2 | -2 |
| New Total | 55 | 45 |
| Democrats | Republicans | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats won | 201 | 234 |
http://exposingthetruth.info/million-man-march-occupy-congress-january-17th-2012/
Please remind people and pass the word along about this very important rally on Jan 17th on the Capitol Mall. We have a chance to send a powerful message to Congress and the country that the middle class is under assault and must be supported. Please pass on these links to as many people as possible and look forward to seeing you in DC on the 17th. This is a chance to change the direction of the country and a big crowd will help toward that goal.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/03/opinion/ghitis-big-stories-2012/index.html?iref=allsearch
As it is, I have no one to vote for.
In 2004, the Bush administration stated that the offshoring of blue-collar and white-collar jobs would enrich the U.S.
In 2011, the Obama administration selected GE's CEO, a high priest of the offshoring cult, to be the jobs czar.
The two-party duopoly just put three more NAFTA-style job-killing trade agreements into place.
The 2012 elections will see corporate puppets elected in an illusion called democratic elections.
I won't make THAT mistake again.
The GOP TPers will eventually pick their Best Candidate/Liar/"Toady" to ALEC and the Koch Brothers, to run for POTUS.
Along the way, Donald and even Sarah may enter the Run. Losers all but they'll do it for "Ego" and the Book Tour.
So, "Faux Noise" with their talking heads will carry the 'Bagger Nominee's "Platform" and in the end President Obama will either Win or or the 'Bagger will.
If it's the latter, the USA , if not the Worlds Economic structure will be in trouble.
After all the 'Bagger President will have signed:
"Grover Norquest's 'No Tax Pledge'",
leaving the USA without any income with a return to the "Good 'ol days" of the 18th Century, in which the Wealthiest have all the money and the working class lives in the Company House and shops at the Company Store, while earning a Pittance of income.
A Look at Things that May Come to Pass.
look around you
(we're already there).
Paul Haider, Chicago