Monday, February 23, 2009
Should All Foreign Troops Soon Leave Iraq?
A Democratic Agenda
“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
-Winston Churchill
A common philosophy of the Democratic Party is to help those who cannot help themselves. They feed this hunger by creating welfare programs, Medicaid, and food stamps. They would often argue that many are less fortunate, and cannot break the shackles of poverty and despair. This is why it seems so contradicting that the Democratic Party is the loudest to say foreign troops should leave Iraq before the job is finished.
Let me be clear. The subject of this debate is almost irrelevant now, due to the agreement the United States has to withdraw troops by 2011. However, it is important to note that the job is not quite over in Iraq – and all foreign troops should not leave Iraq. Iraq is about much more than weapons of mass destruction, oil, or Saddam Hussein. Iraq is about advancing the cause of freedom, of hope, and of equality for all. A living, breathing, democracy in the heart of the middle east would be a superb icon for all those seeking freedom from tyranny. Since 2003, we have made huge strides in Iraq in order to spread peace.
Former Vice-President Richard Cheney said that, “The political leaders of Iraq are steady and courageous, and the citizens, police and soldiers of that country have proudly stepped forward as active participants and guardians in a new democracy – running for office, speaking out, voting and sacrificing for their country”(Rourke pg. 111). This drives home the fact that Iraq is willing to make it on their own, which is a pivotal mindset. Progress cannot be made with a country that depends upon the United States for defense.
Following the release of Donald Rumsfeld, President Bush and General Patreas drafted up a new plan in Iraq. The initial attack on Iraq proved to not be as smooth as what was expected. The United States couldn’t just flex their muscle and take out all of the insurgents in one swoop. This lead to extremely high violence rates, and what looked to be a hopeless and endless war. However, when President Bush and Gen. Patreas drafted up the new strategy for a “surge” in Iraq – the liberal media elite laughed it off, and with the support of democrats in congress, they nearly buried the plan. However, President Bush stuck to his conviction and delivered a game changing strategy in Iraq. It wasn’t the easy choice, or the popular one, but one thing is clear – it worked. Sectarian violence in Iraq is down over 5-fold form last year, and 10-fold from this time two years ago. The surge has produced elevated troop presence, and has allowed the U.S. to train more Iraqi police officers.
Cheney also said that, “…when [the war] is concluded, we will be a safer nation” (pg. 111). It is no secret that Saddam Hussein was a dangerous man. If one wants to debate this statement, just ask the Kurdish community. With the gassing of over 100,000 Kurds in the sands of Iraq, let alone the invasion of Kuwait, Saddam had proven his disregard for equality amongst Kurds and Arabs. A mad man in control of a territory full of unrepentant terrorists is a security threat to many nations. Cheney was very accurate when he talked of making America a safer nation. I believe that much of our actions as a country in a post 9/11 world have more fully protected not only our own freedoms – but those of many around the world.
“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
-Winston Churchill
A common philosophy of the Democratic Party is to help those who cannot help themselves. They feed this hunger by creating welfare programs, Medicaid, and food stamps. They would often argue that many are less fortunate, and cannot break the shackles of poverty and despair. This is why it seems so contradicting that the Democratic Party is the loudest to say foreign troops should leave Iraq before the job is finished.
Let me be clear. The subject of this debate is almost irrelevant now, due to the agreement the United States has to withdraw troops by 2011. However, it is important to note that the job is not quite over in Iraq – and all foreign troops should not leave Iraq. Iraq is about much more than weapons of mass destruction, oil, or Saddam Hussein. Iraq is about advancing the cause of freedom, of hope, and of equality for all. A living, breathing, democracy in the heart of the middle east would be a superb icon for all those seeking freedom from tyranny. Since 2003, we have made huge strides in Iraq in order to spread peace.
Former Vice-President Richard Cheney said that, “The political leaders of Iraq are steady and courageous, and the citizens, police and soldiers of that country have proudly stepped forward as active participants and guardians in a new democracy – running for office, speaking out, voting and sacrificing for their country”(Rourke pg. 111). This drives home the fact that Iraq is willing to make it on their own, which is a pivotal mindset. Progress cannot be made with a country that depends upon the United States for defense.
Following the release of Donald Rumsfeld, President Bush and General Patreas drafted up a new plan in Iraq. The initial attack on Iraq proved to not be as smooth as what was expected. The United States couldn’t just flex their muscle and take out all of the insurgents in one swoop. This lead to extremely high violence rates, and what looked to be a hopeless and endless war. However, when President Bush and Gen. Patreas drafted up the new strategy for a “surge” in Iraq – the liberal media elite laughed it off, and with the support of democrats in congress, they nearly buried the plan. However, President Bush stuck to his conviction and delivered a game changing strategy in Iraq. It wasn’t the easy choice, or the popular one, but one thing is clear – it worked. Sectarian violence in Iraq is down over 5-fold form last year, and 10-fold from this time two years ago. The surge has produced elevated troop presence, and has allowed the U.S. to train more Iraqi police officers.
Cheney also said that, “…when [the war] is concluded, we will be a safer nation” (pg. 111). It is no secret that Saddam Hussein was a dangerous man. If one wants to debate this statement, just ask the Kurdish community. With the gassing of over 100,000 Kurds in the sands of Iraq, let alone the invasion of Kuwait, Saddam had proven his disregard for equality amongst Kurds and Arabs. A mad man in control of a territory full of unrepentant terrorists is a security threat to many nations. Cheney was very accurate when he talked of making America a safer nation. I believe that much of our actions as a country in a post 9/11 world have more fully protected not only our own freedoms – but those of many around the world.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
College Republicans Press Drama
The College Republicans issued a press release that I wrote on Friday, February 13th. It was about the College Republicans being opposed to the Stimulus Package. Here it is, in full:
Then, a few responses were issued.
Tonight, I responded in a letter to the CM-Life. It remains to be seen if it will be published. Here it is:
Stimulus Is Waste
The College Republicans at Central Michigan University stand completely opposed to the economic stimulus package recently approved by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
While few will say the government should stand back and do nothing in this time of economic uncertainty, we feel the package as it stands does not efficiently create jobs in an adequate proportion to dollars spent.
The past eight years have not been fiscally conservative years for the U.S. However, this continuation of hasty bailouts and wasteful spending rushed through Congress is hardly the "change we need."
The nation still leans center-right, so the free market is in the hearts of most citizens. Now is the time to stick to our free-market principles rather than give in to the nationalization of banks and financial institutions to follow the likes of Western European Socialism.
Then, a few responses were issued.
Editor's note: This letter is in response to the Feb. 13 letter "Stimulus is waste" from the College Republicans spokeswoman.
First, the College Republicans spokeswoman asserts that the stimulus "does not efficiently create adequate jobs." Both she and the Republicans in Congress need to shed their partisan blinders to the real world. In real life, the Bush tax cuts did nothing but make the disparity between rich and poor greater - and now Republicans want even more tax cuts.
Then, she (almost comically) goes on to assert that America is a "center-right" country. Does she not realize Democrats have had a partisan party ID advantage for generations? In the 2008 elections, Democrats trounced Republicans in the House and picked up a whopping eight seats in the Senate to bring their total to 59 seats (the Minnesota senate race will be settled soon with Al Franken as the winner).
Let's also not forget that Republicans picked the most moderate Republican in the Senate, decorated war hero John McCain, as the their presidential candidate, yet still got beaten by a full seven points in the presidential election by "socialist" Barack Obama.
Brad O'Donnell
Clinton Township sophomore
Why is the word "socialism" thrown around haphazardly as a scare tactic by Republicans?
Why is this word used illusively to describe the forbidden path of American politics? As a last-minute ploy in the 2008 presidential campaign, Republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin touted this word ad nauseam in reference to Barack Obama. Now, this tactic is being used by our own College Republicans as a divisive measure to steer people away from the real intent of the current stimulus package.
If we really want to bring up this idea of socialism, we can. But first, let's lay down the facts about this political philosophy that has had America distraught for more than 60 years. Contrary to popular American beliefs, socialism is not synonymous with totalitarianism or dictatorship. In fact, it is not this scary idea that people make it out to be. Socialism simply advocates for more government intervention when necessary.
Since the College Republicans carelessly used Western Europe as an example of socialism, let's look closely to see what this really entails. Most European countries have an active socialist party - and for good reason. Socialism in Europe takes form in universal health care. In France, this system covers nearly 100 percent of all citizens. This has contributed to France's distinction of providing the best overall health care in the world, as determined by the World Health Organization.
Germany's system of health care provides coverage for 85 percent of its citizens. Scotland's "socialist" health care system guarantees dissolution of all prescription drug charges by 2011. Because of this, nearly all "socialist" countries in Western Europe have healthier citizens with higher life expectancies.
Even Canada is included in this, providing coverage for 95 percent of its citizens, contributing to an average life expectancy of more than 80 years.
For comparison purposes, only 60 percent of American citizens are covered by the complex system of health insurance in the United States, ranking it 37th for quality health care and 45th for life expectancy. Furthermore, Republicans have no place in the current economic climate to belittle any measures that attempt to fix the mess that they created. It is their repudiated policies and lack of regulation that drove us into the economic sinkhole.
Affirming the same "trickle-down" system that created this financial disaster is like asking the American people to succumb to the overreaching power of the wealthy who have controlled our "free market" for years - all because they are afraid of becoming "socialist."
Surely the College Republicans would not advocate against Social Security, Medicaid, the Federal Work Study program, Direct Loans and Pell Grants, all of which are forms of American "socialism." Inasmuch as the College Republicans "stand united against" the current stimulus package, I'm sure we can count on them all to return the $2,500 tuition tax credit they will receive under the terms of this bill.
After all, they should return those funds in the name of distancing themselves from the evil "socialism" they publicly decry.
Tyler Morkin
Tonight, I responded in a letter to the CM-Life. It remains to be seen if it will be published. Here it is:
This is in response to the CM-Life article published called "Do not use 'socialism' to scare people."
It's laughable that the individual accuses Republicans of using socialism "...as a scare tactic..." as our current Democratic President uses the word "crises" dozens of times in each speech to reflect the state of our economy in order to gain more and more power in the private sector. It is no secret that Barack Obama's own Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, has been witnessed saying to "...never let a crisis go to waste..." in order to gain political power.
If one wants to debate the realm of socialism, let's dig a little deeper into the subject than our predecessor. Our writer used Social Security as an example in social programs in the United States. Well, I would challenge our writer to show us how Social Security is supposed to last when the government has borrowed every last penny from it. Failure number one on the government's part. I would also challenge our writer to show us how well Fannie May and Freddie Mac, both government sponsored enterprises, were maintained. Failure number two. Also, let us dive into the United States Postal Service. The mail arm of the government seems to be running a deficit, while their top member makes twice the salary of the United States President. They also said that we would never be able to overnight a package to anywhere in the United States. This is where the private sector kicked in in the form of UPS and FedEx who now regularly overnight packages all over the world. Failure number three.
So, pardon me for not wanting the United States Government to run anything in my life. What ever happened to the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution? What ever happened to personal responsibility? Free market capitalism is the greatest economic system in the world. It allows for the markets to adjust to natural equilibrium prices. Crises happen when the Government over-regulates and/or ignores sectors running amuck.
John Porter
Coleman Freshman
Monday, February 9, 2009
Fire Dennis Lennox
So here at Central Michigan University a few names stand out in a crowd. Dennis Lennox is definitely among the most popular. Lennox has had his share of controversies over the years as a student at CMU, and as he moves on to his life outside the university - he's making a splash for himself still. Lennox won his election this fall as drain commissioner in Cheboygan County, Michigan. This county hasn't had a drain since WWII, so he ran on a platform of abolishing the position. He features a website known as firedennis.com and even made an appearance on Fox News today.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Happy Birthday, President Reagan
This is a small tribute to who I would call one of the greatest Presidents of all time - perhaps the greatest. Today would be President Reagan's 98th Birthday.
Ronald Reagan knew how to communicate, and use humor.
But it wasn't always fun.
However, he always came back stronger.
Reagan had a number of pivotal moments. None, however, were as big of a staple as this.
Ronald Reagan knew how to communicate, and use humor.
But it wasn't always fun.
However, he always came back stronger.
Reagan had a number of pivotal moments. None, however, were as big of a staple as this.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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