NEOCONS NEVER GET ENOUGH
columnist: William F. Pace

Commentary by K. Locke 4-23-2008

Our America is at another great crossroads. A combination of ill winds blows through everyday and we sit in front of our televisions, computer screens, read our newspapers and solicit information from one another, wondering what will happen next and how much more can our great Republic survive. Every generation has had to carry its cross. The American Revolution, the Civil War, WW I, the Great Depression WW 2, numerous recessions and various economic imbalances as well as a history littered with proxy wars. Now we are simultaneously at war against terrorism, deep public and private debt, inflation of prices for life's bare necessities, world monetary and trade imbalances,and consumers who no longer spend because they don't have a job or their job does not pay enough for luxury items we used to consider necessities. It is at times like these that we must have faith in the hopes and dreams of our founders and consider the ones who have given their lives for our way of life. This being said, it is without doubt that human nature, failed financial theories, unenforced laws and regulations,and corruption of currencies by the United States and other countries on a global scale have gotten us into the fix we are now in. In short order some quick snap of the band holding it all together will bring it to main street and what a sorry day that will be. I know I sound as an alarmist but many times reality up close is alarming. We have given our best jobs and technologies away or allowed them to be stolen, ignored the rising cry of workers and economists, wasted blood and treasure, neglected the very young and the very old and added insult to injury by obscene and wastful spending on the unneeded. We have ignored the basic requirements which promote happy and adventurous lives, a healthy, educated, content and civilized poplulation and restoration of the "Shining City Upon a Hill." We have lacked the disipline to protect and nourish our affluence and noble ideals, we have stood by and watched our standing in the world diminsh and ask ourselves what can be done. We have taken and not replenished. We wanted a free ride but ignored the tab coming due. The survival of our great nation is in our hands, our minds and our souls. What a person does each day creates either unity or division, optimism or pessimism, hope or despair. How our children are educated and treated by ourselves and others , how we care for the elderly, and how the various economic, racial, and political divides work together for the common good will determine our fate. The last half century in America has been the most affluent and progressive in the history of the world. Do we want to be the ones who dropped the ball,left problems to solve themselves and gave no thought for our children's future condition? If not, re-christen this ship, ask for renewal of our past blessings and set sail once again toward the bright glow of freedom, equality and true democracy. All you have to do is care, be courageous and accept nothing less than that which is required.