We are fortunate enough to live in a country that for all its corruption, bureaucracy, greed, and stupid leadership, has one important control: us, the U.S. citizen, and we have the power to change the things that we know are being pushed through the government to satisfy the selfishness of a small few. You may think that your one little letter, or that one can in the recycle bin, or that one decision to vote makes no difference, because you are only one, but that is a flat out lie. It is also what those in power want you to think, because they know that for the government to represent the people, the people must take an active role in the government, by voting, campaigning, or just dropping a letter to their congressman. And woe to the rich and powerful if the people, those inconvenient masses on whose oppression their wealth depends, were to actually realize that they as individuals are as powerful as those who think they're in control. The people in power want you to believe that your one voice, your one act, does not count, so that you won't feel empowered, so that you won't ever act or take your life, your government, into your own hands. But this is all a lie, because you do count, you count tremendously, because this is a democracy, and your vote is what puts the politicians into their positions of power, and it's what can take their power away.
So why this rant? First, because I want every person who comes to this site to take action. The most important action is to vote. I don't care who you vote for, just go out and do it. Second, listen. It's amazing how many people don't know what's going on in the world. Hopefully, if you're reading this site, you're not one of them. But maybe you are and just need a little nudge to pick up that newspaper, flip on the radio (NPR is great--they report the news and weather on the hour, every hour), or even turn on the TV and watch the news. Sure, half of it is skewed and biased, but you have a brain. You can pick out the issues that matter to you and talk about them, read about them, or even just sit quietly and think about them (or better yet, write your news source and ask for more about them). Third, act. You've voted, or maybe not. Either way, there is someone in the Senate and Congress making decisions on your behalf, so why don't you tell them what you think? Don't let them guess, or worse, letting them think that they can get away with making decisions that you don't want, that might even harm you, because you don't care. People are getting rich off our apathy, and it's time to change things. So what can you do? You don't have to chain yourself to a tree, or burn oil fields, or even leave your house. All you need to do is write your representatives in Congress and the Senate. And I'm going to make it easy for you.
The first step is to find the contact information of your Senator and Congressman, so I've listed the two sites below that will take you right to them, and which will give you their email and snailmail addresses.
**With the current condition of mail to the White House, I would suggest sticking to email right now.**
To find your representative in Congress for your area in your state, go to:
To find your state's Senator, go to:
www.senate.gov/ and go to Contacting the Senate.
This will take you at most about five minutes, assuming you know what state you live in and know your address. Now, what about those letters? Of course, drafting them yourself, and expressing your views, your worries, your thoughts, is always best. But many people don't have the time to do that. While I encourage you to pick your fights and express yourself about them to the government, I also want to offer up this service: steal my rants. Not if you disagree with them, of course, but if you care strongly about some of the issues I've written about below, and just don't have the time to write that letter, take mine, put your name on it, and send it out. All you need do is cut and paste the letters I've linked to below into your word processing or email program, and off you go.
War, poverty, and that poor, poor world power the USA.
In a startling cascade of events beginning on September 11, 2001 (or should I begin earlier with our barely legitimate elections the year before?), the U.S.'s foreign policy has spiraled out of control. This is not to say that US foreign policy was previously notably good but at least it wasn't escalating our country closer and closer to a greed driven war.
Here is what I see surrounding the war on Iraq:
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Why we consider going to war with Iraq: Saddam Hussein is a dictator who has oppressed the people of his country with cruelty to maintain his own power and opulent lifestyle. Hussein has demonstrated a desire to control other countries under his regime with the use of force. Hussein has in the past worked hard to develop weapons of mass destruction and shown no scruples in using them (including nuclear and biological warfare). Hussein controls much coveted oil reserves which (certain parties in) the U.S. would benefit from securing under a friendly regime. Taking Hussein and his entire corrupt family and regime out of power may take the force of an army.
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Why not to go to war: There are many cruel dictators in the world, many of which the U.S. has put into power or supported despite their atrocities. To begin mopping up the world's bad leaders is a massive task setting a precedent that is not good for the U.S., both in resources we would expend, and in world opinion of this country. In combination with the development of weapons of mass destruction, Hussein could have the power to invade or attack other countries. However, the UN was formed to control such situations without resorting to violence. While the UN does need teeth, it should be left up to them when to bite, and evidence of weapons must be presented before rushing into a preemptive war. It would be an outright lie to pretend the security of oil supplies has nothing to do with our threat of force in Irag. (Otherwise, why wouldn't we be threatening Korea with the same force?) It is dangerous, unethical policy, however, to bring war to a country to benefit the pocket books of a few rich oil tycoons (who happen to be some of Bush's top advisors). Instead, Bush, Congress, and the Senate should be pushing for investment in research into alternative fuels and releasing us from our dependence on foreign oil. Instead, Bush cut alternative energy research funding in half, and relaxed restrictions that would conserve the use of fuel oil in this country until it can be phased out. It may very well be that Hussein is a danger to the US and other countries, and the only recourse for action will be war. However, it has not been proven that Hussein has nuclear or biological capabilities, and very few countries support the U.S. in attacking Iraq. Perhaps it is a risk, but waiting for a country to attack our own is probably the best policy for going to war. Otherwise we run the risk of having to tear apart half the governments of the world and become the bullies everyone believes we are. Peace comes from not striking first. From setting an example. If the countries of the world only fear us, and have no respect for us, there will be little to keep them from attacking us. Fear and posturing only incite violence, they don't prevent it. Besides, how likely is it that Iraq would attack the U.S., knowing we would then have the full backing of most of the world to come in and annihilate them? Additionally, a war on Iraq will necessarily cause great harm to the civilians of the country. Disease, poverty, famine--these are the aftermaths of war. In a country already stressed (and I doubt the citizenry enjoy as much of the wealth from oil as the regime), adding war and its resultant suffering will only raise more anti-U.S. sentiment in Iraq and many other Middle Eastern countries. By wantonly attacking other countries, we are inviting hatred and terrorism on our people--which are far more effective tools against the U.S. than open war, which was proven on September 11, 2001. There are no countries out there that could launch an effective, open war on the US (unless many countries work together); a few discontented people, however, can cause great devastation. We have seen this. It is these acts of terrorism and hatred we must control, and to do that, we need to control our urge to go to war, we need to support other countries' economic and social development through good policy and diplomacy. Well off countries do not generally breed terrorists. (You don't see many Swiss terrorist organizations.) To control the real threats against the U.S., we need to be helping other countries to control their populations, to provide for their people, and to help people help themselves. Less discontent will lead to less terrorism, and less war will lead to less discontent.
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So why are we threatening Iraq? Why isn't someone standing up for the long term safety of the US by preventing our going to war?
Some of my old ravings to politicians:
Don't even think of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge!
Now, about those school shootings . . .
updated 1/2/03