Every four years, we faithfully mail in our absentee vote even though our votes do not have much effect because California is a blue state. Every four years, the media pre-determines that the Dems will occupy the White House. Fortunately, their desire do not always materialize and the people do have the power to decide who sits in the White House inspite of increasingly unabashed media bias and concerted media efforts to influence the vote by their purposeful slanted coverage of the character and integrity of the candidates.
Every four years, we go through the exercise of electing our President and Commander-in-Chief and some people actually believe He can change the course of the country. Events change the course of the country, not the person who sits in the White House.
If the truth be told, the country doesn't change simply because there is a new boss at the White House. The reins of power lies in Congress, not in the White House. The President's office is an executive branch and its primary function is to ensure that the laws passed by Congress are properly executed. Ultimately, it is the laws that are passed that impact the future direction of the country. The President has legislative veto power but Congress can still over-ride his veto power by 2/3 votes in both houses.
So, real change will not happen simply because someone pronounces that it is time for change. This is especially true where the pronouncements are not supported by evidence that the person has in fact effected change in whatever offices or positions he has held. It is interesting that none of the Dems, including the VP nominee supporting and campaigning for their ticket makes statements about what a great President their nominee will be or speak positively about the changes that he intends to make as President - all pronouncements if scrutinized merely stated that he should be their President - there are no adjectives or superlatives attached to his name. Isn't that kind of odd?
Every four years, we go through the exercise of electing our President and Commander-in-Chief and some people actually believe He can change the course of the country. Events change the course of the country, not the person who sits in the White House.
If the truth be told, the country doesn't change simply because there is a new boss at the White House. The reins of power lies in Congress, not in the White House. The President's office is an executive branch and its primary function is to ensure that the laws passed by Congress are properly executed. Ultimately, it is the laws that are passed that impact the future direction of the country. The President has legislative veto power but Congress can still over-ride his veto power by 2/3 votes in both houses.
So, real change will not happen simply because someone pronounces that it is time for change. This is especially true where the pronouncements are not supported by evidence that the person has in fact effected change in whatever offices or positions he has held. It is interesting that none of the Dems, including the VP nominee supporting and campaigning for their ticket makes statements about what a great President their nominee will be or speak positively about the changes that he intends to make as President - all pronouncements if scrutinized merely stated that he should be their President - there are no adjectives or superlatives attached to his name. Isn't that kind of odd?
Likewise, a war does not simply end because someone promises to end it or decides that eight years of fighting a war is enough. There are unfortunately at least two opposing parties in any war and in the current situation, one of the parties is neither a government nor an institution, it is a band of people who do not subscribe to the rules of international law or to the rules of our society.
I am one who prefers to judge a person by his actions, not by his words. It is easy to craft beautiful words that appeals to the masses and history has shown us the disastrous result of some of these beautiful, emotional speech. I do not vote along party lines either. I choose a leader based on his character, integrity, actions and the company he keeps. Afterall, the people whom we choose to be our friends and associates are a partial reflection of who we are.
In my humble opinion, real change in government requires term limits on the number of years Senators and Congressmen can serve and I would limit Senators to only 12 years and Congressmen to 6 years. They are there to serve the interests of the people and if they cannot effect the change they promised their constituents within the term limits set, they should make way for someone who can.
This United States is a very interesting and unique country. It is so big, so complicated, so free, so everything. Most Americans believe in the greatness of this country and that as Americans, we can deal with whatever comes our way and come out stronger and greater.
And yes, the Dems claim that the present administration has lowered the prestige of this country in the eyes of the world. The world sees this country through the eyes of the media and it is their pals, the media that is lowering the prestige and standing of this great country in the world.
Regardless of who wins this evening - the next occupant of the White House faces challenges that no one can be adequately prepared for - the economic woes made complicated by internationalization of just about every aspect of trade and finance and the continuing commitment of the extremists to eliminate the civilized world as we know it. The militant extremists will no doubt continue to test our resolve to fight them.
No one could have predicted 9/11 and even if some did, at that time no one would believe it to be a real threat. Hind sight is always 20/20. I deeply believe that Bush's and Blair's decisions were proper and responsible at the time, given the information that was presented to them and assessments of likely consequences of any response that is less than forceful. I strongly believe the decision to go to war and put other people's sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces in harm's way is a last resort for leaders of the civilized world. This is especially true where as a nation, we believe that every life is precious and worth saving.
If we had the same manner and standard of media coverage for the Iraq war during the WWII (I am remembering scenes of the landings on the beaches and the lives lost), Europe and perhaps even parts of eastern United States would be speaking German today. Don't get me wrong! I love Germany, its people, its food and its language. I do miss being in Germany sometimes. WWII just happens to be an unsavory part of their history.
This United States is a very interesting and unique country. It is so big, so complicated, so free, so everything. Most Americans believe in the greatness of this country and that as Americans, we can deal with whatever comes our way and come out stronger and greater.
And yes, the Dems claim that the present administration has lowered the prestige of this country in the eyes of the world. The world sees this country through the eyes of the media and it is their pals, the media that is lowering the prestige and standing of this great country in the world.
Regardless of who wins this evening - the next occupant of the White House faces challenges that no one can be adequately prepared for - the economic woes made complicated by internationalization of just about every aspect of trade and finance and the continuing commitment of the extremists to eliminate the civilized world as we know it. The militant extremists will no doubt continue to test our resolve to fight them.
No one could have predicted 9/11 and even if some did, at that time no one would believe it to be a real threat. Hind sight is always 20/20. I deeply believe that Bush's and Blair's decisions were proper and responsible at the time, given the information that was presented to them and assessments of likely consequences of any response that is less than forceful. I strongly believe the decision to go to war and put other people's sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces in harm's way is a last resort for leaders of the civilized world. This is especially true where as a nation, we believe that every life is precious and worth saving.
If we had the same manner and standard of media coverage for the Iraq war during the WWII (I am remembering scenes of the landings on the beaches and the lives lost), Europe and perhaps even parts of eastern United States would be speaking German today. Don't get me wrong! I love Germany, its people, its food and its language. I do miss being in Germany sometimes. WWII just happens to be an unsavory part of their history.
War is ugly but it is necessary to prevent greater loss of life and to end conflict when the enemy takes the war to you. It is difficult for us to judge now. Only history will decide the wisdom of the unpopular decision to go to war. I am confident the end result of this very unpopular war will be real and lasting peace in a middle east that was troubled since I was a little girl.
What can I say, I am a perpetual optimist and believe that ordinary people in the middle east want peace more than anything else in the world. It is their political system and abuse of power by some that prevents peace from becoming a reality and way of life.
In conclusion, the only real change Americans in this United States can count on is not the promises of someone who seeks to occupy the White House or the handouts that are promised in campaign speeches. The only real change that we can count on is OURSELVES. It is our commitment to hard work and readiness to take personal responsibility for the choices we make in life that will change the course of our life and it will determine the kind of future we will have.
However, there is one change that I wish would never happen and that is the beautiful view I have from my dressing room window as I get ready each morning to take on the day.
In conclusion, the only real change Americans in this United States can count on is not the promises of someone who seeks to occupy the White House or the handouts that are promised in campaign speeches. The only real change that we can count on is OURSELVES. It is our commitment to hard work and readiness to take personal responsibility for the choices we make in life that will change the course of our life and it will determine the kind of future we will have.
However, there is one change that I wish would never happen and that is the beautiful view I have from my dressing room window as I get ready each morning to take on the day.
No comments:
Post a Comment