Bush's Defacto Americans Left Behind Act
Mon Apr 30, 2007 at 10:20:22 AM PDT
I'm an ordinary person. I've listened to Air America Radio since it began and started reading Daily Kos during the 2004 Presidential election. I now obsessively watch C-Span 1, 2 & 3 and have even recently stepped into the blogging world. Additionally, I've become increasingly active in local politics.
My entry into protesting the travesty of the Iraq War/Occupation began with a vigil in support of Cindy Sheehan when she first camped out in Crawford, Texas waiting to speak with President Bush. I identified with her unending love for her child and her anger at the injustice of this unnecessary "pre-emptive" war. I found the Bush Administration's treatment of the troops, veterans, family members and survivors of those who died despicable. I've written letters to the editor, my Congressional representative and senators, posted some diaries on local blogs and proposed a resolution protesting the escalation and war at my local Democratic Town Committee meeting. I feel as though I've supported the troops in crying out to end the war and in calling for the respectful treatment, financial and medical support needed for those in the military.
As I've said, I'm an ordinary person, a mother, a citizen, trying to fulfill in my duty as an American. While Bush's Iraq War and Occupation has depleted America of its resources and standing in the world, our own country has fallen apart. Although many of us foresaw what this blank check operation would do to our country, others haven't connected the dots.
2007 is a municipal election year in our small city. The Board of Aldermen (and women) are currently disecting the city and education budgets looking for cuts before they vote on the final budget. Our city is looking to raise taxes for the 7th time in the same amount of years. Some of our senior citizens may not be able to pay for their outrageous property taxes and may lose their homes. Both the local mental health agency and homeless shelter have had cuts from their funding sources and further cuts from the city budget may force them to close their doors. Our education budget is running at a minimum and further cuts may impact teaching and student learning. While the increase in numerous disabilities continue to rise, funding for special education from the federal and state governments remain willfully insufficient.
The burden is dumped in the lap of the municipalities and the middle class. This has all been predicted by many bloggers and writers. The reality is beginning to be felt by middle class taxpayers. Difficult choices will have to be made. Of course, those who need the most help will be the ones who receive the least. Like many municipalities in our state, our city government has been run by Republicans for many years. I'm working on the local campaign towards a Democratic victory. Every little bit helps toward taking our country back.
The "Supporting the Troops" meme has hijacked Americans ability to fight for the necessary funds to run our country properly. The Bush administration has used American's reluctance to repeat the treatment of Vietnam veterans against us. We're all so careful to show that we "support the troops" that we've done so at the expense of everything else. The awful irony of it all is that the troops aren't receiving what they need either. One sacrifice the American people have made for this war is funding for our domestic programs. Bush's war and criminally corrupt administration have stolen our treasury and resources to run an effective government. In doing so, they have also left the majority of Americans behind.
This is my first Daily Kos diary. Thanks for opportunity to express my views.
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