American Stupidity
Why is John McCain still competitive in the 2008 Presidential race? There has been so much talk about finally bringing in new leadership after the debacle of the Bush presidency. Yet, McCain's policies closely resemble those same failed policies of George Bush that have created so much hardship for American people. McCain and Bush share the same economic policies, which basically means a lot of nothing for the middle-class Americans. Tax cuts for the wealthy is not going to help the people who are struggling to pay their bills every month. McCain also shares Bush’s views on foreign policy, which has essentially created the mess that Americans find themselves in today. Despite all this, people are still going to vote for John McCain in November.
The biggest issue in American politics at the current moment is the economy. It is hard to argue against the fact that John McCain clearly does not understand the economy nor does he want to focus on the economy. He admitted it himself that he does not understand how the economy works. He makes euphoric speeches as to how he would change the economy and bring much needed relief to those who are suffering. However, he has not provided any plausible solutions that would help the American people. He talks about how he will bring economic relief but he does not have any hard plans to ensure that this will happen. Furthermore, he proposed the elimination of the gas tax for the summer which according to economists would save people $25 in the summer. However, according to most economists, this plan could increase the cost of gas because the of increased demand. Essentially, it is unanimous among economists that this plan would not work. This proposal is not a solution; it is pandering to the people before the election. Obama actually had the courage to stand up and say this is a bad idea, despite the political fallout this could have created.
The Republican Party has become stale and outdated on issues that concern the American people. They remind me of the Soviet leadership under Leonid Brezhnev in the 1970s. Traditional, outdated, and half-dead leadership whose main concern is to stay in power as long as possible. They have no new ideas or causes that would invigorate the American population. They resort to Karl Rove’s ideas of attacking the Democratic with baseless and stupid claims in hope of somehow convincing the gullible American people to vote for them. It worked in 2004 with the Swift Boat Veterans, and they are trying to make it work again. It is encouraging to see that it has not been successful in some recent state elections, but if it has worked once it is bound to work again. American people are stuck in the traditional views of the Republican Party and are looking for something that would solidify their vote. Frankly, it is sad to see people manipulated like sheep over and over again. John McCain exemplifies these outdated Republican policies yet he is somehow still competitive.
No issue outlines McCain’s stale policies than the war in Iraq. The war has been a complete failure; there is no doubt about that. However, McCain is still a strong supporter of a war that has cost billions of dollars, thousands of lives, tremendous budget deficits, and economic hardships for American people. I ask again: How is he still competitive in the 2008 election? The argument is made that America must be successful in Iraq otherwise terrorists will be stronger. However, many people have outlined, including Jimmy Carter’s National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, that this war in Iraq has already strengthened the cause of the terrorists in the region. People in the Middle East still remember British imperialism that negatively affected their lives in the past. They see this war as a form of American imperialism in the post-modern world. Furthermore, the war has weakened American standing in the world. By surpassing UN legitimacy, the United States has lost a lot of support around the world. Just look at the “powerful” Coalition of the Willing. However, McCain is still somehow supporting this war that seems to be going nowhere. Did he not learn anything from Vietnam or Soviets in Afghanistan? I guess not!
John McCain has criticized Barack Obama for saying that he is willing to have dialogue with hostile countries such as Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, etc… How is not talking to other nations going to solve anything? The strategy to isolate Cuba in hopes promoting change within by people whose lives are impoverished sure seemed to work…. I guess change comes slowly; after all it has only been over 50 years. Furthermore, didn’t the recent progress in North Korea come from dialogue with the country? John McCain is promoting a continuation of Bush Doctrine--- attacking countries that might be a threat to the United States in the future. This dangerously hypocritical approach can only do harm to the United States. Is McCain going to attack Iran, China, and the Soviet Union? Those countries seem to be hostile, or will become hostile to the United States in the future. China is no different from Cuba in terms of political structure and human rights violations, yet all our clothes say “Made in China”. Hypocritical? I think so. I cannot decide if John McCain’s foreign policy is so reckless because he truly is a war hawk or because he is trying to play on American fear of destruction in hopes to get elected.
It is mind boggling to think that American people are actually supporting John McCain’s policies. Obviously they lack historical knowledge and common sense--- “they” refers to Republican voters, or Independents who are going to vote Republican. It is heartbreaking to see American people so easily manipulated be the Republican machine. Where is the awareness and common sense? Are American people that dumb? I guess you deserve the government you get.
