As the presidential primary elections approach I look at the current state of affairs of our nation. We have millions of people who are without jobs, without enough to eat, without health care, and without hope. We are engaged in an endless war in Iraq that has cost us over $500 billion dollars (so far) while our own people are in need of basic life necessities. Americans struggle day-to-day just to make ends meet and our environment is rapidly deteriorating. All while George W. Bush goes about his business and pretends that everything is fine.
For the last seven years we experienced nothing but unnecessary war and tax breaks for the richest Americans. A rich man's war and a poor man's fight -- a classic example of the rich getting richer while the poor get poorer. It is just wrong.
The people who are responsible for this detriment upon our nation have done so by hiding behind our flag, our troops, and Christianity.
While at the very same time they defy all that is American, betray our troops, and break every law of Christianity.
As someone who served in the U.S. military honorably for 8 years I am saddened by what has come of America. When a person joins the military they do so out of love for their country. They do so because they believe that their fellow citizens should be safe and secure in their homeland. This is not the case.
Most people attribute national security simply to a strong military. Yes we need to make sure America is safe from our enemies, but that is only one part of the equation. The other part is securing the livelihoods of Americans, protecting their jobs, providing education, and ensuring that our people can see a doctor when they get sick.
It is absolutely heartbreaking to go overseas to fight a war just to come home to see your fellow Americans unemployed, in debt, down on their luck, and living hand-to-mouth. What makes it even worse is knowing that the war you fought in has contributed significantly to their desperation. Knowing that all the money used to destroy Iraq and the failed attempts to rebuild it could have gone to our own people in need.
And God forbid you speak up in protest to this terrible injustice. Those who have not shared in the sacrifice one bit will be the quickest to call you a coward, traitor, and a defeatist. This type of behavior has been encouraged by our own president and vice president over and over again. Think about that -- they actually wish to deny the American people of their first amendment rights. Anyone who expresses their right/freedom to dissent is quickly attacked and smeared as "anti-troops." I thought Bush and Cheney said our troops have to die in Iraq to protect our freedom in America ....
How unfair and un-American is that? How hypocritical is that? There are no words to describe it.
The American people are ready for a complete change from what we have lived through with the disgraceful and tragic presidency of George W. Bush. We need a president that will respect and fight for the rights of all Americans.
My ideal candidate will:
- End the war in Iraq
- Only use war as a last resort
- Provide hope & optimism instead of encouraging hate & fear
- Restore America's standing in the world community
- End the division here at home
- Finally end partisan claims to patriotism and troop support
- Place the interests and wishes of the American people as their # 1 priority
- Have the courage to stand up to special interests groups and party orthodoxy
- Stop the outsourcing of American jobs
- Be a strong advocate for universal health care
- Work hard for environmental protection
- Be part of the solution not the problem
- Admit when they are wrong and make the necessary corrections
- Speak in coherent sentences (added bonus)
I strongly believe that John Edwards is the best candidate running for the presidency of the United States. I believe that he will be strong at home and abroad. I believe that he has the best plan to end poverty, protect American jobs, and restore hope to the middle class. Most importantly, I believe wholeheartedly that he will end the war in Iraq and that he would never send our brave men and women in uniform into harms way unless it is absolutely necessary.
Posted December 12, 2007 | 03:36 PM (EST)