Meddling As Foreign Policy Pt. 3 of 3

The time has surely come for the people of the United States wake themselves, shake loose the grip of shock, fear and anger, reject the simplistic black and white characterizations of people and events and join together in a dialogue that will determine what kind of country America is to become. The time has come to take courage, face conditions as they are and leave behind the notion that "the politicians and leaders know better than I; let them decide". Isn't it just this kind of deference to politicians on the part of the American people that helped to create the situation in which the US now finds itself? The American people must consider and decide for themselves what kind of people they are and what kind of government they want to represent them. Do they really desire a government that marches all over the world, imposing its will and its values, making war wherever and whenever it chooses, upon any country or people it deems "evil"? Do Americans want to support a government that seeks only to advance the interests of the 'internationalists' and the military/corporate infrastructure that dictates the policies of the United States? Or are the Americans prepared to take their country back from the fear-mongers and the war-mongers, from the profit-at-any-cost international corporations? Are the Americans a people that wish to live in harmony with all people of the world? Are the Americans a people who desire social and economic justice for others as much as they desire it for themselves? Or have they really come to believe that others must suffer and die so that America might prosper and feel "safe"? Do they really believe that the rest of the world must behave and believe such and such and so and so in order that America might feel good about itself and safe in its little part of the world?

With the elections of 2006 pending, this is perhaps a good time for the American people to reflect on these kinds of questions and decide -

Are they ready to acknowledge and accept responsibility for their part in creating so many of the dangerous conditions in which they and the people of the world find themselves? Are they prepared to act responsibly to find peaceful and just solutions to these conflicts?

Are they ready to reject the belligerent (" bring 'em on ") and destructive meddling of the Executive; an Executive whose first and only solution is a bigger and more destructive military? Are Americans willing to reject these 'military first' policies that have brought all the peoples of the world to this dangerous and fearful state of affairs?

Are they ready to acknowledge and refute the lies and deceptions this administration perpetrates in order to advance its thinly disguised internationalist/corporate policies? Are they willing to reject this 'military might makes right' approach in dealing with other peoples and other cultures of the world; an approach that only serves to enrich the already wealthy and perpetuate the cycle of hatred and violence?

Are they ready to hold their leaders and elected representatives to account when these representatives choose to serve the interests of the corporate/military economic infrastructure and fail to serve the true and long-term interests of the people?

Are they ready to reassert control over their government? To wrest power out of the hands of the corporate/military economic infrastructure and the multitude of wealthy special interests and the lobbyists who represent these special interests?

Are the Americans prepared to reject the policies of an administration which seeks to expand its military advance upon other nations of the world; policies and advances made with the promise of making America "safe from terrorism"; made in the name of "advancing freedom and democracy"? Americans, and indeed the world, has heard this kind of cynical rhetoric all too often. Surely the Americans are mature enough to see through it and reject it.

Are Americans ready to stand courageously and resist this administration's efforts to subvert American freedoms, liberties and values in its drive to acquire ever more power and authority while making false and illusory promises of security and safety.

Are they ready to act to reaffirm the principles found in the Constitution Of The United States and in the Bill Of Rights? Ready to reaffirm the spirit in which the founders of the United States acted to create a nation "of the people, by the people and for the people" ?

Are Americans prepared to make change and act, to become part of the solution? Clearly what is needed now is a willingness on the part of Americans to think anew about their place in the world. What is needed now are statesmen and representatives who can think independantly and creatively; men and women with the courage to speak plainly and honestly and to represent the best interests of the people of the United States. Without significant change and meaningful action by the people of the United States and the individuals elected to represent them, I fear the flame of this great democratic experiment known as America will dim and be extinguished once and for all time.