Now we can plainly see what the Bush administration is all about - raw power placed in the hands of political cronies - and we the people made it possible. Lulled by the soft language of passionate conservative, family values, no child left behind, we turned this country and its resources over to their charge.
What have we achieved by falling for these soft tones? War in Iraq, the Patriot Act, homeland security and a failed FEMA are on the top of the list. Not far behind is the blind eye turned toward Enron, Tyco, Worldcom, Halliburton and other corporate scammers. Tougher bankruptcy laws protect banks and credit card companies despite their gathering and then losing our personal information. More unemployed, more uninsured, and more living below the poverty line.
Now, in the face of disaster, we see incompetence and lack of resources to address the needs of people in harm's way. This does not represent national security or democracy.
Katrina has also taken the scab off our shame for the whole world to see our "two Americas." I don't want the world to know that I have been getting tax cuts while my brothers and sisters work two or more jobs and still not get by in America. I don't want the world to know that here in America many are going to bed hungry, sick, discouraged and worried.
This is not what the language of family values means to me.
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This is too big a deal to sweep under the rug and divert our attention to something else. We simply must change course. Unless "we the people" make demands it will not happen. We need to insist that professionals be appointed to head agencies, not cronies. We need professionals who will use government as a tool to enable everyone in this country the opportunity to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and politicians who will hold them accountable. After all, this is what democracy and freedom are all about. We need to make major corrections.
First, bring our troops home from Iraq. Secondly, insist on the delivery of compassionate conservatism (financial good judgment to benefit all Americans). Finally, pay fair taxes. Taxes are our membership dues in a democracy. We simply must not put our bad management of our resources on a credit card for our grandchildren to bear the burden.
Sharon Clancy
Valley City, N.D.
