Congratulations to Obama. Though I am no fan of his, he is still my President-elect.
There is much to be fearful of with this new administration. However, today I would like to write of the things to be happy and thankful for on this post-election day.
Today is a day when all minorities can rejoice. For the first time in the history of this great nation, we have shown to ourselves and to the world that the job of President can indeed go to anyone who can be elected. It is not an old white man's gentleman's club. A virtual nobody 24 months ago, Barrack Obama ascended to the highest post in the country with a landslide victory on this Historic November day.
For all the minorities who have been oppressed over these many decades, this is a victory for them. It is something that all Americans can be proud of, that on this day we have chosen by a majority vote, a President of African decent. (I do not say he is an African-American because that is not his history he is half African and half white, raised internationally and in Hawaii).
Every 4 years we come to this crossroads. Every year we prove again the strength of our democracy. Though, some 46 million Americans did not vote for President Obama there is no rioting in the streets. There are no hateful demonstrations. There is over joyous applause by his supporters, and calm respect by his opponents. This country of ours is a great democracy, where the shift of power is peaceful and organized. It is a testament to the greatness of this country, that though the conservatives and the Republicans have been defeated for at least 4 years, there is still hope for the future. There is hope now, and there is hope in another 4 years.
What a great country we live in. Though I do not agree with Obama on many issues, his tax policy the chief among his flawed policies, I do hope and pray that he may make the correct decisions for this country and put the right people around him who can make our country great. I hope that he may be a centrist, and reach across the isle as he has promised, and get things done to benefit this country. I hope he may be true to his words and his promises of bringing this country together, not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans. His words bring tears to many, but may his actions bring joy and prosperity for all Americans, regardless of race, religions, social stature, or any other of our many differences.
Good Luck President Obama!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Cost of the Iraq War
You hear all the time that the war in Iraq is costing us upwards of $10 to $12 billion a month. When people against the war talk about the cost of the war in monetary terms, they make it seem like this money disappears into thin air.
I want the war to end, and I want a stable Iraq. I want the government to stop spending so much, but I want us to win the war the right way. To many people the cost of this war is troubling. It is now the second most expensive war, though the cost of World War 2 easily trumps the cost of the Iraq war. But, have you considered where this money goes?
A large percentage of the cost of the war is the pay and care of our troops. This money is spent by our troops when they come home and by their families at home. This money is used to pay mortgages, buy groceries, eat at restaurants, buy retail products, etc. In other words, it is pumped back into our economy.
Another large percentage of the cost of the war is for government contracts. We pay American companies (this is why the Boeing v. EADS Tanker deal is so controversial) to build tanks, Humvees, and military weaponry. We pay companies to supply uniforms and protective gear. In other words it is pumped back into our economy.
Thus, a lot of the money we spend does not just disappear into the economy but being pumped back into our economy by providing jobs and American goods. So, it is a bit misleading when people say we are wasting $10 billion a month in Iraq.
I am a bit confused as to why we have not learned from WW2 and the Allied Occupations of Germany and Japan. We spent $5 trillion in WW2 (inflation adjusted $) and we spent another $45 billion or so in economic reconstruction. Our full out occupation of both countries was 6 years for Germany and 7 years for Japan. It took continued assistance and time before Germany and Japan were fully ready. It has been 5 years in Iraq and we are far from finished. Why?
For all the time and money we have spent in Iraq we have lacked direction, leadership, and a good plan. We need a Marshall Plan type plan. The situations of the wars and the situations of the countries are different between WW2 and Iraq, however, it does not mean something similar can't work.
Let's do a little studying of history and try to come up with a plan that will have such success as we had in WW2; success that lead to the creation of the #2 and #3 economies in the world. In the long run, the Japanese economy and German economy have contributed trillions of dollars to the world. If that can happen in Iraq then all the billions we spend will be worth it.
I want the war to end, and I want a stable Iraq. I want the government to stop spending so much, but I want us to win the war the right way. To many people the cost of this war is troubling. It is now the second most expensive war, though the cost of World War 2 easily trumps the cost of the Iraq war. But, have you considered where this money goes?
A large percentage of the cost of the war is the pay and care of our troops. This money is spent by our troops when they come home and by their families at home. This money is used to pay mortgages, buy groceries, eat at restaurants, buy retail products, etc. In other words, it is pumped back into our economy.
Another large percentage of the cost of the war is for government contracts. We pay American companies (this is why the Boeing v. EADS Tanker deal is so controversial) to build tanks, Humvees, and military weaponry. We pay companies to supply uniforms and protective gear. In other words it is pumped back into our economy.
Thus, a lot of the money we spend does not just disappear into the economy but being pumped back into our economy by providing jobs and American goods. So, it is a bit misleading when people say we are wasting $10 billion a month in Iraq.
I am a bit confused as to why we have not learned from WW2 and the Allied Occupations of Germany and Japan. We spent $5 trillion in WW2 (inflation adjusted $) and we spent another $45 billion or so in economic reconstruction. Our full out occupation of both countries was 6 years for Germany and 7 years for Japan. It took continued assistance and time before Germany and Japan were fully ready. It has been 5 years in Iraq and we are far from finished. Why?
For all the time and money we have spent in Iraq we have lacked direction, leadership, and a good plan. We need a Marshall Plan type plan. The situations of the wars and the situations of the countries are different between WW2 and Iraq, however, it does not mean something similar can't work.
Let's do a little studying of history and try to come up with a plan that will have such success as we had in WW2; success that lead to the creation of the #2 and #3 economies in the world. In the long run, the Japanese economy and German economy have contributed trillions of dollars to the world. If that can happen in Iraq then all the billions we spend will be worth it.
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