During the recent Presidential debate Senator McCain said, “We Republicans came to power to change government, and government changed us.” He called earmarking a “gateway drug” and the “out-of-control spending” a disease.
Looking more closely at this statement McCain is saying that Republicans were victims of some kind of corrupt conspiracy. They had no choice. They had no say. By his continued inference that the members of congress residing in federal prisons are there NOT because of their own choices but because of some evil plan that involved “earmarking and pork-barrel spending” we must assume that Republicans cannot think for themselves.
It appears that while he also said, “We’ve got to start also holding people accountable…” he does not realize that the two go hand in hand. I cannot be held accountable if I have no choice in the matter.
The truth is I always have a choice. I may not LIKE the options but I do have a choice.
McCain talks about continuing the fight overseas to “win” and bring back our troops in victory. That bringing them back now would mean defeat. To him, maybe so. The question is, “Did they go over and do what was asked of them INDIVIDUALLY?” If yes – then each and every one of our military personnel were a success in his or her own right. They did what they believed was right and just. There is no winning in war. There is only a temporary stopgap in the violence.
Senator McCain went on to slam Senator Obama for his stand on meeting other foreign powers without precondition. With all due respect to his age and his history, Senator McCain is either too old or too afraid of responsibility to see that humanity will only achieve a state of real peace when we let go of the need to defend ourselves and “make someone out to be the bad guy”. Whether we agree or not, everyone has a reason for their actions. Telling them their wrong or that they can’t do something because we said so, won’t promote good will, understanding or peace.
Senator McCain’s choices to:
- Fall back on military force to keep the peace
- Do away with the corruption in government without accepting that everyone involved chose to be where they are
- To promise to take care of the veterans and make sure our military on active duty overseas get to come home with a “victory” to their credit
These choices all demonstrate a lack of understanding.
They demonstrate a lack of understanding that the basic truths are:
- Force will not and never has kept “peace”
- Accountability will only (really) be achieved when we learn to hold ourselves accountable and not hope for someone else to do it for us
- Respect for our veterans will be in place as long as the American nation (government, media and individual) support each other for acting in accordance with their beliefs and their intent was for the good of humanity
As a registered Republican and a USMC Veteran – I’m glad I have a choice and a voice in this country. I’m glad that millions of Americans still believe they can make a difference.
Join me won’t you – speak up for what you believe in…today.
Kira Wagner
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