Great nations, ah, their potential for good, for inspiration.
But they do not: build walls to solve immigration issues; fund nearly three-quarters of a trillion dollar defense budget that does not make them safer from global terrorism; and, fail to invest in national improvements while handing billions in tax breaks to the very rich.
We, the United States, is a great nation with a wall (now in downtown Brownsville), wars and a skewed investment and tax program.
However, that greatness will fade and is already fading, unless: The Wall is removed, all the way west to the Pacific; the wars and sweetheart private and public defense projects halted; and, the tax breaks repealed.
The Wall, as noted, is in the middle of Brownsville. Its brownish steel horror cries of impotency, a failed and inhumane immigration policy to all – both sides of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.
The Wall, a sop to anti-immigration folk, a boon to contractors.
The wars. Hard to see the damage to Iraqis, Afghans and Pakistanis, slightly easier to see, if one does not turn away, young Marines with prostheses, and then harder again, the internal damage to all, Americans and the Asians.
How do the order-givers, from the President to Congress to the officers sleep, dine and vacation knowing that their directives have not made serious dents in world terrorism, and have instead delayed peace negotiations, while increasing the number of young who embrace terrorism?
The tax breaks, billions to the rich who will only invest but a fraction of their gains to creating a sustainable economy in the United States.
Taxes that could have been used for: a single-payer healthcare system, debt reduction, yes, debt reduction, alternative energy production, clean water and other environmental needs.
Think prison reform. Think creative public schools.
I think this is not an uncommon observation anymore that the great days of America are rapidly coming to an end. This may be true. It certainly is true that the American Empire is coming to an end. It can no longer be supported, but if they can, the beneficiaries of its indescribable largesse and waste will ride that war-eagle into the dirt, then pluck that old bird bald for souvenir feathers. As far as the people of the United States are concerned I can only say “Take cover now!” The raping and looting of the body politic, its freedom and treasury are picking up to warp speed and beyond. The Border Wall is ridiculous on so many fronts. But in the end its only a monument to stupidity and waste, and political pandering..
The poor pay very little in taxes and the truly wealthy pay nothing or next to nothing. Taxing the rich will never happen. They actually get corporate welfare and even locally receive millions of dollars in subsidies and tax breaks. Ridiculous and criminal wars run for the Masters of War, i.e. the controlling oligarchy and its military-industrial complex. I agree with your conclusions! They are the heralds of the death of the Republic. Stealing money and stealing freedom go hand in hand. Now the thieves are running the money systems. What’s next Foxes in charge of the Bureau of Chicken?
The bigger the government, the less freedom. Big enough government…No Freedom
Right on Gene, except for the high taxes and big government parts.