Makeshift Patriotism --- The Bush Administration's Budget.
by Toby Vest
"All told, the House budget cuts an amazing $14.6 billion in vets'
programs, including money for disabilities caused by war wounds, rehabilitation
and health care, pensions for low income veterans, education and housing
benefits, and even -- nice touch -- burial benefits."
Robert Kuttner, www.prospect.org
I recently came to the realization that it is time
for a redefining of what we as Americans expect of our government and our
leaders. After reading about the restructuring of Bush’s budget by the
Republican House and the new cuts being instituted to fund the War on Iraq,
I have begun to lose faith in how I always envisioned my country. The dream
has faded and the time for revolution is at hand.
The profound hypocrisy of budget cuts recently passed
by the Republican controlled House raise serious concerns for the path
our nation is embarking on. Or should I say the path we have been led down
since 9/11. The institution of the Patriot Acts and other Homeland
Security “measures” were dangerous in and of themselves, but the new budget
cuts hint at a dark and venomous underbelly of an administration that really
wasn’t that cheery to begin with.
These new budget cuts could be the last straw for this
administration, considering the fact they see nothing wrong with allowing
America’s soldiers to risk their lives waging a war based on sketchy information,
conservative rhetoric and failed diplomacy, while planning to repay their
bravery by pulling the rug out from under them after the last bomb explodes.
This has happened before and it was called Vietnam.
Cuts of $14.6 billion in veteran’s benefits amount
to a lot more money for building tanks, airplanes, and helicopters but
not much else. The message to the military personnel is to be satisfied
with the bravery and courage you displayed in battle, do your duty and
expect nothing from your government for your troubles. But speeches about
the bravery and courage of warfare don’t carry much weight when veterans
can’t afford to pay for rehabilitation and medical needs for injuries or
disabilities they suffered while serving their country.
A leadership claiming to promote the ideals of freedom
and democracy is preparing to undercut the very people that risked their
lives for those ideals. But war is big business and collateral
damage is necessary in any war. Casualties should be expected.
Other budget casualties needed to fund the war and
still offer a tax cut for wealthy Americans include a 10.2 percent reduction
in money allocated for education as well as significant reductions in environmental
funding. So, not only will returning veterans be forced to endure the loss
of many of their benefits but they will also have to send their children
to under funded schools. To avoid a possible backlash the Administration
is currently preparing to rename Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” program
as the “No Child Left Behind Unless the Military Needs the Money” program.
This is simply another example of the Bush Administration’s
constant disregard for anything outside the task at hand, which has moved
from War on Terrorism and Homeland Security to the current War on Iraq.
This constant back and forth has allowed Bush’s failed domestic agenda
to slide beneath the surface and avoid media attention. Fear of atrocities
from Al-Qaeda, Saddam Hussein, Osma Bin Ladin, the Easter Bunny, or any
number of possible terrorists is used as an opiate, an ever-present warning
of tragedy around every corner, focusing attention on anything except problems
in America. Best to keep the masses sedated with images of bravery
and success on the battlefield. Don’t want them asking too many questions.
Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Ashcroft and company will
use this war for political (re-election!) and personal gain (oil! oil!
oil!) and then retire to their ranches and mansions while the kids who
got maimed, killed, and tortured are left with wheelchairs and prosthetic
limbs… and nowhere to turn for help. Where will all those people waving
“support our troops” signs be when this is over? Are they going to change
G.I. Joe’s bandages?
The question we must ask ourselves though, is how removing
Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq is making us safer in America when some
of the most important issues of our society are falling by the wayside?
Education, environmental and other societal issues are continually ignored
by our leaders while the war agenda continues to overshadow all other concerns.
But what good is bettering the lives of people in other countries if we
constantly undermine our own improvement?
What is the motivation? Revenge? Power? Control?
Money? The truth lies somewhere deep in the cold, treacherous heart of
the Bush Administration’s makeshift patriots but as far as can be seen
they’re not giving away the answers. They do however know exactly where
to buy the best duct tape.
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