Domestically Deceived.

I just finished reading an article entitled "Bush and Democrats Renew War of Words" on the New York Times website. A particular quote by Senator Harry Reid caught my attention and raised a few issues. Harry Reid was quoted as saying that "War costs have come at the expense of American priorities at home." Yes! Now what will be done about the confusion over what the real priorities should be for our government. I'm inclined to say, well, nothing for the time being because we have an administration who has their priorities grossly mixed up; but, that simple statement is important because it draws a direct connection to what this war is doing to the domestic agenda in America, that is to say that it has drawn attention away from it.

This is a primary reason why get so upset over the extensive coverage of the Iraq war in the media. Yes Iraq is important, it is one of the most critical issues of our time, but not because of what Iraq was and is, but rather because of what it represents. It represents American imperialistic tendencies and their desire to have hegemonic domination over the rest of the world at the expense of the citizens in the international community as well as at home. Quick disclaimer; by "American" I mean the government and those high on the hierarchy in America, not your average everyday citizen. This is crucial to understand, because it underscores certain ideas about what it means to have a "national interest." To some national interest means federal policy concerning the rest of the world or policy concerning our country as sort of one citizen of the world among the many. Think of it as we are America collectively, it's our individual identity that connects us all as Americans.

This concern of the national interest as I see it conceived above leaves many Americans out of the loop, so to speak. Bush and his cronies irresponsibly attempt to impose their neoconservative agenda on the rest of the world, while they vigorously engage in propaganda efforts at home to gain compliance of the citizenry of the United States. Part of the neocon agenda is protecting American business interests through the use of military supremacy. War is money, and furthermore, there are American business interests across the globe which want global stability with America dominance, two contradicting ideals. This impacts seventy five percent of Americans in a significantly detrimental manner. The people will have to fight their wars, all to often with a myopia, and compliance, that is extremely frightning.

Which brings me back to the New York Times article. Although I believe we are at the cusp of a potentially new, more democratic America, we (the people - not the establishment or government) fight the wars which are the cumulative effect of policy aimed at furthering the "national interest." And we do so while casting aside domestic agenda to our own detriment. We have a common plight in America, I think if we addressed the anger and disillusionment associated with the inattention our needs receive, then we may have a happier country which doesn't seek to make the rest of the world pay. I think a comprehensive overhaul of policy, coupled with a refocus on domestic agenda, to be cliche, kills two birds with one stone. You actually take care of the people of this country's needs, and address some of the extreme hatred for Americans throughout the world, which makes us (those below) safer. (Isn't this what neocons profess, an America safe from terrorism?, ah but they seek out military solutions which compound the problem, so it must be asked, is this what they truly desire?) Ultimately I feel it is the people's obligation and duty to serve as the catalysts for the change we need. How much to we have sacrifice the our own fulfillment for some ideological, self important group of individuals leading our country. Class warfare? Ha, most certainly, but there is already one being waged from above, but that is a topic for another discussion.