More About What We Are Really Thinking
By Thomas D. Segel (05/15/07)
The commentary "What Are We Really Thinking?" had barely hit the Internet before comments started jamming the email server. Most of those writing agreed with the remarks voiced by Americans in the article. They lashed out at a do-nothing, party fixated Congress, high gasoline prices being ignored by governmental leadership, an education system in free-fall and a war that is being used as a political issue for those seeking to remain in power. However, there were some challenging words worthy of a follow-up article.
A reader named Bert Patrick writes, “So called poll results do not jive with what we or others are saying is important. So, we have a conundrum. Both Congress and the Administration are totally self-serving and the media is hell bent on destroying what there is left of our nation’s will and cohesion. I ask, what is left...Anarchy? I can see no other conclusion unless we come to our collective senses first and demand a unified direction from our politicos and the media. Not the force of might, but the force of will!”
Charlie Revie is a retired Army officer who does not see the country following into anarchy, but does see the danger of Islamic domination if we continue on the course now being promoted by Congress. “The main stream media and the ‘wimps’ in our government are playing right into the hands of Islam, which is anything but a religion of peace. Rather, it is a religion of aggressive domination. If you aren’t one you have two choices...second-class citizen or death.”
Revie laments about his political choices saying, “The last time around I voted for the Democrat Senator and for the Republican Representative. The only reason I voted for the Republican was the Democrat challenger scared me more. It seems our options these days are the choices between losers and deciding which one will do the least damage. What happened to the days of heroes when we generally felt good with both candidates and we voted for the better of the two winners?”
Kenneth Segel is my nephew. He resides in Escondido, California and is now enduring some of the highest gas prices in the country. With prices creeping toward the $4.00 a gallon mark he says, “My primary concerns are my 4.5 year old German car that is falling apart and gas prices, given that I travel 160 miles round trip to work.”
But, he continues saying, “I strongly feel we entered Iraq for the wrong reasons. Yet, we are there and we are the ones who created the situation. I consider it our obligation to make things right. This entails seeing the mission through. What many Americans fail to understand is that Iraq is a key political location. It is necessary to retain for strategic as well as economic reasons. Additionally, how would it look for us politically if we were to walk away? To walk away from Iraq is tantamount to political suicide.”
Jim Whittington in Laurel, MS feels all of our political leadership is off track. “The politicians misread the polls. It is not the war only. There are other issues as well. Primarily we are concerned about the politician’s greed and corruption at all levels ...in both parties. No, we don’t like the war, but once engaged we fight to win! Losing is not an option!”
From Tallahassee, FL Ron Whaley writes, “”I will continue to ask the magic question...WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE THEY ARE POLLING? It is obvious to me that no one thinks the war is lost and we need to pull out right now. Hell, I don’t like the war, but I believe we need to finish this one for sure. I believe that if we don’t finish it, they will be here killing even more Americans.”
But, George Shelton is very upset about the war. “I am a Marine Corps veteran, but it is very difficult to remain patriotic with my fellow brothers and sisters losing their lives without a cause. I served in Desert Storm and my son has served in Iraq three times. I served for 27 years, but for once I’m lost. I have no idea why we are there.”
In a letter from Clarksville, TX Sue Perras writes, “We are being fed a line regarding the Iraq War. Most of us support our troops whole heartedly, and we support this country. But, our politicians are selling us down the proverbial river for their own benefit. I call DC on issues constantly and don’t miss an opportunity to vote. I am a registered Republican, but I am also discouraged with the party. It needs to return to its conservative roots.
She places education at the top of her concerns for the country. “My husband and I both feel the issues that concern us are Social Security, our borders, terror cells in 40 states and why we don’t close them down, health care, our corrupt politicians, and above all our education system. If we don’t teach the next generation we will lose the country!”
Thomas Skaug in Oshkosh, WI is also angry with Congress. “Right now here in Wisconsin gas is $3.30 a gallon. Congress has done NOTHING when it comes to the cost of gas. I really feel for those on fixed incomes. This Congress is going down in history as the worst ever. Overall they have done nothing except bitch about the war in Iraq and President Bush. It is really a Do Nothing Congress. I fully support the president and will continue to support him.”
From Allentown, NJ we hear from Gerry Reilly. “I too feel Congress is a disaster. It is no wonder the first three letters are CON, since it is a huge confidence game. I often say the only difference between Congress and The Mafia is...The Mafia has a Code of Honor. “
Next on his list is, “My concern about our porous borders. Congress has failed mightily in not fixing the immigration problem. The argument that illegals are doing the jobs Americans won’t do is bogus. As soon as we give them amnesty they won’t want these jobs either. If growers would have to pay more to get their crops picked, maybe it would attract more Americans, or lead to new mechanized tools to pick the crops.”
We will close this collection of concerns with a quote provided me by a friend; “America is not at war.
The military is at war.
America is at the mall,
And Congress is out to lunch.”
Semper Fidelis &Thank you.
Tom Segel
[url=http://thomasdsegel.com/]http://thomasdsegel.com/[/url]
(Printer friendly version) Email: Thomas D. Segel
