The invasion of Iraq.

In the discussion in your newspaper headlined “Iraq: Stay the course or cut our losses” you quote, apparently approvingly, policy specialists who say the question of whether we should have invaded is irrelevant today.

To the contrary, that is the first question tha should be answered. If we invaded for a good reason, the sacrifice may be justified. If we invaded for a bad reason, no arguments will justify staying.

Alternatively, now that we are there, what U.S. objective would justify staying? Losing face? I am not a Japanese. Face is not that important to me. Prestige of U.S. Generals? Prestige of the President? Oil? Oil production has not returned to pre-invasion levels, so I understand. The invasion has not held down the price of oil in the world or in the U.S.

The goal is all important.

We need to get above name calling and bickering over pedantic-issues and focus on broader issues: the conflict/cost of the U.S. playing world policeman and contrast that with the needs of our nation here at home–education, retraining, infrastructure repair, medical care for children, mimimum housing for the poor, energy security, and so much more. We are still talking in a micro context when we should be talking macro/global context: What do we want the U.S. role to be in the world over the next several decades? With troops in 200 countries, there is no chance that we can take care of our economic and social needs here at home if we continue spending so much overseas. The public understands this. The people out across the country understand this reality. We are selling off huge blocks of U.S. assets to other countries to finance our role of world policeman. It must stop or we will follow Great Britian into its current status of little old England.

Humans engage in an astonishing amount of cooperation. It is so ubiquitous that we scarcely notice it. But consider that the clothes you wear were most likely made by others. The house you live in was made by others. The food you eat was probably produced by others. The car you drive was built by others. You drive it on roads made by others. Most everything you use and need and value was made by others. Further, those of you not yet retired almost surely work with others, and provide goods or services of no use to you personally, but of use to others.

The amount of cooperation is what distinguishes Humans from other animals. It is what distinguishes savages from civilized people. It is what distinguishes a “First World” nation from a “Third World” nation. It is what distinguishes a thriving economy from a depressed one. It is responsible for our high standard of living.

For decades our nation has been led by people who do not believe in cooperation. This must change. We will be a strong nation only when our citizens cooperate with each other, and our government cooperates with the governments of other nations.

I believe that we will never control healthcare costs until we take the insurance companies out of the equation and install a single payer system — the United States Government itself. Why aren’t all the candidates for the office of president talking about a single payer system?

March 7th 2008

Immigration…This is a country of laws..either keep the gates open and destroy the country..or
control immigration….All criminal illegals
must be jailed…and deported…All other illegls
without valid social security numers must also be deported…then go through normal reentry channels..All employers must verify and validate social security numbers…No drivers license issued without valid social security numbers…
NO service given to anyone without valid social security numbers…including education and medical…The states can no longer assume cost…