War! What is it good for?

War! What is it good for?

By Sheila Alexander-Reid

I have to admit the surge of post 9-11 patriotism was nice for a minute. As with all good things it had to come to an end. Loving your freedom, albeit limited, and wanting to protect that freedom is one thing. Aggression towards countries we suspect may attack us one day is another. First our enemy was Osama Bin Laden. Then, when our military could not find him, they focused on finding members of Al Queda. When they couldn’t find them, they focused on terrorist cells. Now, when our intelligence experts can’t flush out the cells, and the US economy is free falling in a downward spiral, a “Weapon of Mass Distraction” is called for. So our current administration decides to change its target yet again. This time it’s just one man, Saddam Hussein. This war with Iraq is the proverbial fig leaf covering up failed domestic policies. No real threat from Iraq has been confirmed. The Bush administration claims to have indisputable evidence but has yet to share it with the general public. Well, until such evidence is presented to the world, this war will be seen as an unwarranted move to confiscate Iraq’s rich supply of oil.

War is expensive. This so-called pre-emptive strike is estimated to cost approximately 2-3 billion dollars. Who is going to fund this war? Your tax dollar. This money will come out of the already underfunded social services coffers. So expect to start losing even more basic services you’ve come to depend on. The impact of welfare reform, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, and skyrocketing medical costs will only get worse.

Making matters worse is the fact that the freedom we are supposedly fighting for is already being eliminated. The current patriotic sentiment is so feverish and intolerant you can’t even criticize the government without risking being painted as unpatriotic. The citizens of the United States are expected to accept this rush to war and follow along quietly like sheep to slaughter. Well I am exercising what little freedom of speech I have left. I question the timing and the motive for this aggression, and every thinking person should. I urge you to speak out loud and often. It’s your right; use it or lose it.