OpEd: The American Way of Life »
Posted by: populist 1 year, 6 months ago237 Comments Report this Story
Our "peaceful" presidents have taken, perhaps, over a million Iraqi lives & limbs, & thousands of the same for Americans. No amount of yellow ribbons will bring back a single one of them, or make a single loss worthwhile. This, we must recognize, is part of the American way. In particular, we must first recognize it if we are eve
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populist1 year, 6 months ago
the point here is clear - if we don't like the actions of our government, we need to take away the tools they use to violate the constitution, invade nations, and "limit" our rights. to me, that's the overblown military machine.
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GoldStandard1 year, 6 months ago
First off, while Bush is at fault for pointlessly sacrificing American soldiers in Iraq, the U.S. is not resposible for the Iraqi citizens that are victims of suicide bombers.
Secondly, you claim how some rights have been compromised while you show obvious contempt for others such as free enterprise, free trade, and the right to defense, (which Bush has not acknowledged either, otherwise we wouldn't be wasting time in Iraq).
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populist1 year, 6 months ago
i'm sorry, where did "I" show contempt for free enterprise? would you mind quoting me to prove your comment?
The fact is, it's my opinion we should reduce the government to such a minimum (as specified in the constitution), that it can no longer regulate every tiny bit of life as it does today.
and that includes YOUR right to free contract, YOUR 2nd amendment rights, and much more. (like closing the irs, the federal reserve, the fcc, etc)
so before you spew more garbage, where did I, personally, say such things? tell me. because your accusations are baseless lies
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populist1 year, 6 months ago
whew!! well now i'm relieved!!
wow, how could I have been so dumb? i should've known that this was just some partisan crap, and NO rights, whatsoever have been violated under Bush.
great. thanks for correcting me. now i'm all better. promise.
i love you. you're the bestest ever.
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Sandokan1 year, 6 months ago
Glad to see that you recognize the "system" of Clinton's term in office was indeed one that induced social changes. Furthermore, as a thraputic systematic procedure of a natural phenomena or process called "empowering the people", the regimine of Clinton's regime will hopefully be continued forth by the succeeding Democratic candidate or an enlightened Republican.
Correction, all kinds of rights have been compromised since, as you have aptly put ...the enlightened system (regime) of Clinton's was superceded by the Bush Cronyistic Administration. As you referred to correctly, Clinton had a system compared to the short & narrow vison afforded to Bush's choice of administration...Cronyism.
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IcCaRus1 year, 6 months ago
"No rights have been compromised since the Clinton regime was voted out of office"
are you uninformed, ignorant, or do you just support these fascists to the point that you are not only ready to give up your rights but willing to deny it as well? man, now THATS loyalty!
take the time to READ the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act. the republican congress has given the president the right to basically void the bill of rights.
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mesodude1 year, 6 months ago
"First off, while Bush is at fault for pointlessly sacrificing American soldiers in Iraq, the U.S. is not resposible for the Iraqi citizens that are victims of suicide bombers."
Actually, the US IS responsible. How many people warned this administration that invading Iraq was foolhardy and that it would only escalate terrorism? Has Bush given ANY indication whatsoever that he gave any thought to what might occur in Iraq if events didn't unfold precisely as he had fantasized they would? 100% our fault. We broke it, we bought it...
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berkeley1 year, 6 months ago
if you are wondering if this is a recent problem, and that in the past, things weren't so bad, i suggest reading a short book by general smedley butler. he was the commanding general of the u.s. marines about a hundred years ago.
after he retired he wrote War Is A Racket.
http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisar
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Sandokan1 year, 6 months ago
Don't need to go back that far. General Eisenhower (Iron Pounder) a german descendent and President of these United State's of America intended to reduce the military industrial complex and the amount of active duty military personnel back to the size preceeding WWI. We know what the outcome was as seen by the size today. War is business! Whether it is turned into a nefarious process like racketeering is another thing, but it is definitely well suited as a business entity.
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NoSpinDave1 year, 6 months ago
Just more borderline socalist/hate America crap from populist. Up is down, black is white, evil is good, .................and populist is an idiot.
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pervis1 year, 6 months ago
These posters just don't get it. The hardliners on both sides are talking inconsequential details. This article is about our overall 'way of life'. We ARE a war-mongering country. The rich couldn't care less about the poor. How do I know? The policies that reward the rich and punish the poor.
Our 'way or life' only truly exists if you are one of the hyper wealthy or living totally off the grid. Then again, they don't like that either. If your 'way of life' is too different, you might get ruby ridged or wacoed.
Freedom has been sold to the highest bidder and you lost!!!!
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not2needy1 year, 6 months ago
That is what it appears is the objective in the works as we speak. Prevention of the American people to stand and do the right thing, stop lying down to corp greed and standing up for ourselves.
We aren't a peace loving nation. Anyone who can read, can tell by the posts on here that there seems to be an adrenlin* rush everytime an American soldier is killed in Iraq, screaming for more of the same in the name of 'Peace' and 'democracy'. Like Barbarians in an old western brawl!
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Sandokan1 year, 6 months ago
It is an admirable suggestion, however the process to which that could remotely be possible would be if the population of the United States was down to about 1000 citizens. That way every political decision could be overseen before going into effect.
Out of curiosity, just how would a Populist Government operate. Anyone? I would be interested in a detailed breakdown. How would making laws be different in a Populist Government? Considering how much time is currently used in passing a law today, wonder how that would happen under a Populist rule?
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awongscreen1 year, 6 months ago
Good and correction intention. But exactly how are we going to achieve that. Whether its the Rep or Dem, they all subscribe to corporate greed to different extents. Look at our fellow citzens and human beings. Did we not see greed and stupdity in a lot of them?
Don't get me wrong. I like what you are saying but I think mankind is doomed.
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jordan111 year, 6 months ago
I do understand the point of the article; however, the American way of life and its attributes still apply, objectively, to Americans. Unless and until it affects 'them' particularly, it doesn't exist that there is a problem, in their world view. I don't know that there is any way to impress on them that it's dangerous not to look at all of this from a broader perspective. Perhaps someone will find the tipping point to get through to them. I can only hope.
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rimbaud1 year, 6 months ago
First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller
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Amazing11 year, 6 months ago
And I, for one, will not go down without a fight. I demonstrate. I have contacted all 535 members of Congress to let them know that they have sworn an oath to protect and defend our Constitution from all threat, both foreign and domestic. And our current administration is indeed a threat to that Constitution.
Our schools are dumbed down. We are being sold bread and circuses in the form of fast food and the ubiquitous X-Box. Our politicians keep their eye on their campaign coffers first and foremost. The good of the people be damned.
The article is spot on. I can only hope that the populace awakens and starts to demand better treatment before the violation of our rights is so egregious as to prevent anyone from doing anything.
Mr. Bush has negated habeas corpus and armed himself with the ability to declare martial law. We are indeed in deep do-do. What can I do to help?
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populist1 year, 6 months ago
well, i think you ARE doing what you can - and what each of us should be doing. telling our representatives to follow the constitution or get out. communicating with people, staying on top of what's going on. keeping away from the tv and the other garbage....just have to keep at it, even if we don't see quick results.
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populist1 year, 6 months ago
and Abraham Lincoln - the dictator who damaged the constitution more than Clinton, FDR or Bush - should've been impeached and imprisoned!
That's just what lincoln did - shut down newspapers that didn't agree with him, suspend habeas corpus, even arrested representatives.
all for the glory of the union. it's power that these presidents care about, not liberty.
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populist1 year, 6 months ago
really? like fdr, or bush? those are the communists.
you government lovers are fools and liars. you seem to say anything - just to glorify the power of the president. nice.
on the other hand, freedom is what I want. but, YOU want an oppressive government to rule over all of us.
i don't know too many people who want that, who don't have a vested interest in such a situation.
i wonder what YOUR vested interest is.....in an all-powerful central government.
you and your socialist friends should get the hell out of our government!
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Sandokan1 year, 6 months ago
Literally taken, Lincoln's comments are correct. And when you think that he is creditied with saving the Union and the start of ending slavery, then IMHO he was a good President. Without the Union, obviously the United States would no longer be and then to tolerate slavery - well we all know what supporting that institure means right?
It is good for the Populist Party to remind us now and then about our shortcomings, but until another form of Democracy appears on this planet, we will just have to keep on working on improving this one. I would move to another country and become a citizen thereof, IF it had a better government ... until then it's the U.S.A..... Oh and Amazing1 ...I took the same oath. I agree that the Bush Cronyism government has attempted to hijack this country by nefarious means ...
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