Jackson Free Press

For a long time, I wanted to ask President Bush why, if the Dixie Chicks knew there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he couldn't figure it out for himself.

The Dixie Chicks are sharp tacks, don't get me wrong, but are we really comfortable with them knowing more about foreign policy than the president?

I no longer want to ask that question, primarily because the answer is now obvious: George Bush knew what the Chicks knew, but he lied to us about it. He had a secret plan for Iraq from the get-go. He made that clear in a recent television address, when he said America would have to be in Iraq for a long time, maybe a half-century, just like in Korea. Can you say, "corporate robbery"?

Today, when I look around me, I see an America that I barely recognize. The economy is sinking faster than a bobber with a 50-lb. catfish on the other end. Health care has become a plaything for the rich. And we're in the middle of an immoral war that was started for the sole purpose of satisfying a handful of fat-cat Texas corporations.

If you think the latter claim is an exaggeration, consider ex-Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan's acknowledgement in his recently published book that we went to war over oil. The lifelong Republican wrote: "I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil."

Pulling the strings for the oil grab, the sinking economy and the health-care mess, was none other than the Lizard of Oz, the best friend a corporation ever had—George W. Bush. As a nation we have a poor memory of how our founding fathers viewed corporations.

They mistrusted them because of evil-doing by three infamous British corporations: the East India Company, the South Sea Company and the Virginia Company, the scandalous activities of which tainted several generations of British society and had a profound impact on the leaders of the American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1816: "I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."

Fearful of the power corporations could amass, James Madison twice proposed during the Constitutional Convention that the federal government should be put in charge of corporations "in cases where the public good may require them and the authority of a single state may be incompetent." The convention rejected Madison's proposal, which left us with the mess we have today.

As the price of the Iraq War becomes more evident—U.S. Senate researchers put the cost at nearly $2 billion a week, or $11 million an hour—Americans raise two interesting questions. How do we pay for the war? And what do we do about the corporations that are making obscene profits off the war? Doing nothing is not an option.

To pay for the war, we need to pull up the voting rolls across the country and try to separate registered Republicans from registered Democrats, where it is possible to do so. Once we've done that, we can assess a special tax on Republicans and allow them the honor of paying the full cost. It's only fair because the war was their idea—and they made all the money off it. But let's not be cruel. For each $10,000 in war taxes paid, let's give each Republican taxpayer a free pass to the Michael Moore movie of their choice.

As for the corporations, it's time that all corporations linked to national security—arms manufacturers, oil companies, etc.—be purged of their corporate status. It is wrong on so many levels for stockholders to make money off the cruelties of war.

If the purpose of the Iraq War was oil, then that oil belongs to the American people and not to American corporations. Since we already paid for the oil with our tax money, every American should get a free fill-up once a week for the rest of his or her life. And maybe throw in a free carton of soft drinks.

The Lizard of Oz presidency has been a disaster, as even Greenspan admits, the end result of which could well be the extinction of the Republican Party. The GOP, the party of Abraham Lincoln, deserves better than that.

In your heart, you must know that the worst is yet to come.

Even so, when congressional hearings about the war take place after the election of a Democratic president, will we, as a nation, be able to handle the truth?

Previous Comments

ID

75397

Comment

A genius wrote this. I would add, canning or flogging each republican also for putting us in this situation. Like I said before, the only thing worse than a republican is two or more republicans.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-03T16:30:39-06:00

ID

75398

Comment

Bush vetoed a health plan for children today on the premise it's too expensive and amounts to federalized health care. What about that war, Mr. President? And what about that federalized "VA health care plan" that no one complains about. Not even the repugnants. Letting the slow kid become president is wrong and unforgivable.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-03T16:36:40-06:00

ID

75399

Comment

Bush vetoed a health plan for children today on the premise it's too expensive and amounts to federalized health care. What about that war, Mr. President? EXACTLY! And we're spending how many billions in Iraq? It's a gosh-damn shame (excuse my German) that the richest nation on Earth can't and won't provide adequate health care for children who need it most, but yet can find all the money in the world to go to war with. Compassionate conservatism my ass.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-10-03T22:38:07-06:00

ID

75400

Comment

Agreed, Ray and Golden Eagle. If you'd like to tell your congressman or senator to override the health plan veto, you can do this through N.O.W.'s legislative center here .

Author

lucdix

Date

2007-10-03T23:49:56-06:00

ID

75401

Comment

Conservatism today is not about smaller government. Its about smaller government for YOU, not them. Whatever amount it would actually cost, they would not have a problem paying to contractors who do not do the work, etc. They shrink wrapped and dropped about 20 billion over there for Bremmer to hand out when the war first started. Conservatism is a bait and switch.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-10-04T11:49:23-06:00

ID

75402

Comment

America is in trouble and I don't think that Bush gets it. He is so far out in left field that he does not know that you can't run in a person's country, topple their leader, tear down museums, zoos, hospitals, wedding parties and everything else in the way as he travels the yellow brick wall to the oil fields of Iraq. This is a sad day for Americans who must face the fact that we have a leader who does not believe in proving health care for our children whose parents can not afford to insure them. If we can pay 2billion dollars/wk for that illegal, cruel and devastating war, then we can pay for health care: Not only for the children, but, for everyone in America to include pets. Much work is needed for image building here in America. This is awful!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-10-04T12:05:32-06:00

ID

75403

Comment

America supposedly wanted to replace a whoremonger. They replaced the whoremonger with a warmonger who along with his friends fed the repugs/repubs so much straight dope and cool-aid laced with drugs that they're now addicted to a horribly corrupt and demented party, no matter how pathetic, abominable and malevolent the party is. They can't let go because they're phening for another false hit. They know every hit is now false yet they long for one more puff, intravenous injection and blow.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-04T12:37:50-06:00

ID

75404

Comment

Most disturbing to me is the trend that nothing represents the truth. The Bush Administration illustrated that with their misleading statements prior to us invading Iraq. All of the evidence that has come out debunking what they said and even saying that they knew they were wrong means nothing to some people. The same thing with situations like Rush and O'Reilly that are documented on transcripts. I do not think its a matter of whether people can handle the truth, some people will just never admit the truth.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-10-05T11:58:57-06:00

ID

75405

Comment

The repugs are the axis of evil. They come to steal, kill and destroy. Don't listen to me, just read the record.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-08T07:25:20-06:00

ID

75406

Comment

Ladies and gentlemen, I saw Ann Coulter, arch-republican and spokesperson for all republican, on Donny Deutch last night, spewing her version of Christianity, white supremacy/perfection and the alleged virtues of the republican party. Well, at least one person believes there are still some virtues left in that party. She told the host, a jewish fellow, that he needed to be perfected. She didn't mention us, but I know she thinks black folks can't be perfected. Anyone knows the appeal and attraction of this woman to republicans other than she being one of the axis of evil?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-09T07:53:50-06:00

ID

75407

Comment

Forgive my error, comrades, I meant to refer to Coulter as a battle-axis of evil. LOL.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-09T08:23:44-06:00

ID

75408

Comment

And she's a University of Michigan law school grad? One would think she'd have more intelligence than this. Why couldn't she have gone to Ohio State?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-10-09T08:37:17-06:00

ID

75409

Comment

Thanks for replying Golden. Why won't any republicans talk to us anymore? You can't even discuss the politic of the 2 main party anymore because republicans are so hateful they won't even engage us. I give up. You know what, may be they've been converted. Nall, that can't change.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-09T08:45:21-06:00

ID

75410

Comment

Not all Republicans are hateful, Ray, just as not all Democrats are scared of their own damned shadows. I understand your satire/voice here, but please be careful about ad hominems toward groups of people. It's one thing to blast the party in power, but blasting every member of it goes too far.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-09T09:24:59-06:00

ID

75411

Comment

Alright. That was a slippage meant to draw out a few of them into a nice and dualing conversation. It didn't work. From now on, I'll be a nice "Demorat" as they used to call us when times were good for them. Similarly, I'll use ice-cream, tea, cookies and a nice glad of expensive wine when inviting them to engage with me in the future. I'm sorry for any offense, my dear republicans. Politic in this country couldn't work without both party.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-09T09:48:34-06:00

ID

75412

Comment

I went back and read all of my posts on this column. I confess I was a tab bit rude, unfair and broad-brushing of all republicans, unlike my usual self when discussing the merits and demerits of both major political parties. I'm overcome with contrition and remorse because I acted like I'm unfamiliar with the tablet the Democrat went upon Mt. Sinai and brought back to the people who had escaped slavery. As it was commanded, I believe I should love my neighbor as I love myself; therefore, if I can do anything to lessen the blow that is coming your way the next two Novembers, please let me know. Vengeance is the provinve of the Lord's, not mines; and I await it patiently hoping it happens no later than the next 2 Novembers. Cheers.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-09T11:28:04-06:00