February 1, 2008
by Fred Flanagan
I became interested in politics as a young man. I wanted to know why people had such differing viewpoints. Who was right?
We had a divided country over the war in Vietnam. I was opposed to the war. I truly believed that there was no justification for the war in Vietnam; however, I felt a strong sense of duty to my country. I still can't comprehend how our government leaders stood by and watched the death toll reach over 58,000 American Citizens serving their country in Vietnam. (But, then, I was still kind of a young man..)
I learned at a young age that I could not blindly follow government polices. The American people finally woke-up and called for an end to the war; however, it was too late for the 58,000 citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country?not to mention the thousands severely wounded physically and emotionally.
I believe it is the responsibility of every citizen to evaluate the issues and demand answers to the questions they have on proposed government polices that will affect their lives. We elect government representatives and pay their salaries with the understanding that they will represent the views of their constituents. I don't see a real representation of the people.
All American citizens have a responsibility to participate in the political process. I see a trend of blindly following and supporting a chosen political party in the manner that people support their hometown sports team.
Our founding fathers envisioned a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; I wonder what they would think about the direction of our government today. I think our founding fathers are turning over in their graves.
Today, we have a government of Corporate America, by Corporate America, and for Corporate America, with our representatives under the influence of special interest groups. With an escalating policy of out-sourcing American jobs abroad, I believe we are on a dangerous course.
If we continue to out-source American jobs and technology, it may become impossible to get the trade deficit under control. Cheap goods on the surface seem great as long as our citizens have jobs to purchase those cheap goods.
The voting process is where the people hold their representatives responsible for their votes on policy in the House of Representatives and the Senate. One problem with the election process is the cost to run for office. It seems that only the wealthy and connected can easily access the opportunity to serve in government. Election reform is seriously needed, but the people in power are the ones who vote on reform! I don't think we will see any serious campaign policy reform in the near future.
Besides citizen involvement in the political process, we need both the men and the women in the House and Senate to find the courage needed to break from the extreme right and left views for government to work. The two-party system is designed to bring people to the center; however, the extreme right and left political control has made consensus almost impossible.
I remember when we had enough moderates in both parties for government to work. The two party system was able to come together and make decisions in the best interest of the country. The extreme nature of both parties today has placed our democracy at risk.
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Political service seems to have become self-service. The well intentioned are quickly whipped into line with the party views. My hope is that we will find some courageous people who will enter public service and look to the future of our children.
Some of our political leaders claim moral values, but lack ethics. What happened to character traits like: honesty, fairness, and truth?
We have Laundromat politicians and campaign handlers. While politicians are airing their opponents supposed dirty laundry, they are putting their campaign rhetoric through the spin cycle. I find it disheartening to see the politics of fear and the claims of moral values used by political parties.
The American people, you and I, both republicans and democrats, have the values that made this country great. I find it disingenuous for either political party to claim superior moral values as an agenda. It is a righteous embarrassment!
We need to ask our leaders the tough questions. Who decides who are the good, the bad and the ugly? We send jobs and technology to China, a communist country, but Cuba is considered an enemy. Why? Do you think it has something to do with cheap labor?
Why do we need a Democracy in some countries, but not in others like Saudi Arabia? Do you think it has something to do with oil? Why haven't we made a real effort to become less dependant on Saudi oil? Do you think it might have something to do with oil profits? There are so many tough questions I never see addressed. Why hasn't our government secured our borders? Do you think it has something to do with cheap labor?
I believe in a strong military, and I believe in taking action to protect our citizens. I find it insulting and shameful for leaders who, when questioned on their decisions, call citizens' questioning policy unpatriotic.
The American Citizens are the most critical part of our democracy. The American Citizens are the people who have to fight the wars and make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It has been the working men and women who made this country great; it is the working men and women who must keep it great!
It may be difficult to discuss politics, at times, with partisans, but government can't work or survive without citizen involvement and honest dialog.
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Fred Flanagan [send him email] is the author of "My America - Is Democracy Floundering?" His book is a citizen's view on the current political environment in America. Find it online at http://flanaganunleashed.com/MyAmerica.html.
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