Im Back?

Ok...haven't really had too many opportunities over the past month and a half to get on here. Was working two jobs, (raking in the duckets...only not so much) and, well, the blog wasn't really a priority.

That being said, I'm watching the Senate committee hearings with questioning of Ambassador Crocker and Gen. Petraeus. It struck me that, with the seeming disappearance of President Bush from the political stage, that both Crocker and Petraeus are acutely aware of the fact that their next boss is sitting up on the dais, questioning them, in the forms of Sens. Obama, McCain and Clinton.

But what has been, so far, the more interesting part of the proceedings was the point raised by Sen. Voinovich (R), who initially supported the invasion, that our goal, our necessity, over the next ten months should be to engage all nations in the region in a surge of diplomacy, letting them know that we, as a nation, expect them to step into the fray. His reasoning is what is striking, however. He didn't say that it is because inviting participation of nations more familiar with social, cultural and historical morees of the region could help to stabilize a region that we, the United States, unilaterally destablized. His reasoning, which echoed sentiments from Senators who questioned this pair earlier, is far more disturbing. His reasoning had to do with the overall financial health of our nation.

We were, at the end of the 90's, in one of the most optimistic eras of our nations history. We were enjoying the benefits of our position as leader of the tech revolution. We had a government that was capable of governing. Our nations, and therefore our citizens, fiscal health could best be described as robust. There was optimism and great hope for all of our futures.

Where are we now? A survey out just last week showed that over 80% of U.S. citizens felt that the U.S. is on the wrong track. What is important to note is that this was not a single issue poll. This took into account the war, our economy, our infrastructure, our education priorities, etc., etc. This is damning. For the first time in modern history, we are in great danger that the generation coming up will fare worse than the generation that preceded it. Think about that.

It is no secret that I am an Obama supporter. And it is fantastic that one individual can excite, empower and inspire segments of the population that have previously had minimal participation in our political process. Our problems, though, can not be solved by one person, if they can be solved, at all.

We have broken our backs and the bank with Bush's Folly. The current estimate is that each household in the United States is expected to shoulder $16,000 each to pay for this war, so far. It is sickening that, from the strength of the 90's, we are in a very serious position of possible imminent collapse. Empires, Superpowers and the like rise and fall on an ebb and flow. While we are not yet in the trough of this wave, we have passed the crest of our world dominance. It doesn't mean this grand experiment will fall away and cease to exist, it only means that our position of influence and dominance, enjoyed for nearly 70 years now, will end. In the absence of our dominance, another superpower will emerge. The British, after great expense of blood and treasure in two wars, less than two decades apart, know the anxiety that comes with the imminent collapse of an empire. They collapsed due to the truly necessary defense of their nation. Our imminent collapse will only be able to be attributed to hubris. As we and the Soviet Union filled the vacuum left by Britain, so too will another superpower emerge in our absence. All bets now look westward to the burgeoning power of Beijing.

Ok, thats the world view according to me. And what is at once funny and disturbing, is that I know that there are some who would read this and think I am traitorous or unpatriotic or whatever. And I almost allowed their perceptions to censor my thoughts. Now is the time that we, as a people need to take our heads out of the sand. This is a time for serious individuals. So, if you are the type of person who feels that a flag lapel pin is an adequate substitute for true patriotism, if you learn your history like you learn your current events (in sound bites), if you have no interest at all in educating yourself, then I have no problem letting you know that I call your patriotism into question. It is time that the cheerleaders are cast to the side in this debate and real and serious people take the stage to help us land on stable ground.

Until Next Time...